POLITICIAN WATCH : Capital Gain

Washington Mayor Marion Barry clearly failed his constituents. In the wake of his conviction on cocaine possession--and other embarrassments--Democratic voters soundly rejected anyone who had anything to do with an administration tarnished by excesses and corruption.

To replace the mayor, the voters chose Sharon Pratt Dixon, a tough-minded outsider who promised to clean up the bloated local bureaucracy “with a shovel.” Dixon, a lawyer, won an upset in a primary that is traditionally tantamount to election. Other mayors should take note of the fresh political breeze and promise of reform.

Dixon is blunt, critical and demanding. She hammers away at stubborn urban difficulties with unpopular but crucial solutions. To force the fat out of a notoriously inefficient city government, she would lay off 2,000 workers--primarily political appointees in mid-management positions.

During her first bid for elective office, Dixon had little cash or staff. But she had plenty of moral outrage. When Barry was arrested, she boldly called on him to resign. Other would-be mayors mouthed tiny criticisms to avoid alienating Barry or the supporters who cheered when the jury deadlocked on 12 perjury and drug charges.

Federal prosecutors won’t retry the mayor. That is the right decision, considering that the last Barry trial so exacerbated the city’s racial and class polarization.

Barry should quit his race for City Council and abandon his stubborn attempt to remain in government. As his likely successor has insisted, it is indeed time for a change.