Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1888-03-27
DISCUSSED PRO And CON.
The Proposed Advancement of the Oity's
Grade and the Alleged Inciden-
tai Reform Accomplished.
The Subject of an Animated Citizens
Meeting mt the Grand Last Night
The Addresses Delivered.

house last night, to discuss the advance
ment of the city's grade, was attended by
full 400 persons of all political compilations.
The meeting was called to order by Mr.. F.
M. Hagan, and Mr.. P. p. Mast was chosen
chairman.
Chairman Mast called on Mr.. Hagan to
state the object of the meeting, which he
did as follows:
Mr.. +. NJ. Hagan-It is pretty well un-
derstood that the movement which is going
on to make change in the city govern
ment is to effect reform. The ideas ad-
vanced in the report of the committee ap-
pointed by the citizens meeting held on
February 10th are not new. A movement
was made in Pennsylvania and in New
York few years ago to investigate the
government of the cities, and the
recommendations of committees were
that the legislative and executive
functions of the cities should be divorced.
Now the city of Springfield with seven 9th
ers are in the third grade of the second
class. Legislation, therefore, which effects
Springfield will
LIKEWISE EFFECT THE SEVEN OTHERS
of the same rank. These cities differ in
many ways and to get all these cities to
unite with us in any important reform is
practically impossible. Ii we desire reform
In our municipal government, therefore, We
must go into another class and grade. The
idea of this movement is that We advance
to the fourth class of the first grade and
as member of that class and grade we
can 20 the legislature and ask for such laws
as may suit us.
IL was decided to submit the proposed
change to the people at the approaching
election and public meetings are called to
discuss il. There has been no star-cham-
Der business in bringing this plan before the
people. You are asked to come here and
discuss 1t freely and openly and the ap-
proyal or rejection of the advancement of
the grade of the city lies with you. Mr..
Hagan then entered upon an elaborate
statement of the plan submitted by the
committee and of the powers which, un-
der the plan, were conferred on the mayor,
council and the various appointed boards.
1t is proposed that all these managing
boards of the city shall be non-partisan.
The majority OF the people, however, of
whatever party they may be, shall control
the morale of the council and of the board
of education. All these shall be
OF THE DOMINANT PARTY,
but the execution of the work decided upon
by the direct representatives OF the people
shall be by non-partiSan boards.
The plan does not take away the power
of the people. No man can be appointed
on any of these boards without the ap-
proval of the people through their repre-
sentatives in council. The plan does not
contemplate the taking away of the peoples
power, but it contemplates simply differ
ent distribution of power.
Judge White-Littie can be said that
has not already been well said by Mr.. Ha-
gan. frankly say in opening that this
plan ought to be adopted.
Judge White then reviewed the evOlu-
ton of municipal laws in Ohio and stated
how the cities ot the state had been divi-
ded into classes and grades. The object
of municipal government is to secure to the
individual citizen the highest privileges and
the best application of the money he pays
in taxes Cities of any particular grade
and class are governed by the same laws.
In this city the power is almost completely
rested in the city council which is the legis-
lature of the city.
II is not that object to any member OF
council, school board or to the mayor, for
believe them to be for the most part excel
lent men, but they do not properly do the
business of the city. 1t is not, however,
their fault They are
CRIPPLED BY THE SYSTEM
under which they work. They have to dc
work for city in accordance with laws
made for town. 1t is desirable that we
get out of the town and into the city organ
ization. but we should not leap in the dark.
1t is, therefore, rather to be commended
than condemned that committee should
have been appointed to draft plan for
municipal government and submit it to the
people. That committee is eminently well
0ualified to draft that plan. Their idea
is that the legislative and executive
functions of the city should be divorced
and am with them on that proposition.
The next point is the appointiye power
conferred upon the mayor. 1t is a wise
provision that the boards to be appointed
by the mayor shall be non-partissp< II
these boards are to be non-partisan they
cannot be elected-they must be ap,
pointed. Judge White objected to the ap-
pointing power being placed either in the
governor of the state or in the Judge of the
common pleas court of the county. He
THOUGHT IT EMISENTLY PROPER
that the mayor should be vested with this
appoipting power because he is directly
/ aDSWeraDlp 10 the people 6IeCttQ Dy l1t
appoiutments. The mayor is directly re
sponsible to me and to every other electol
| for his appointments and Tor his action anC
the people, you see, still have the power OF
the government in their own hands.
| James Z. Carey-lt strikes me that somt
things might be said against the unreasona
BILE objections made to this plan which have
not been said. The poorest as well as tht
richest should look at this plan without
prejudice. The establishment OF munich
pal organizations is purely business en-
terprise. / cannot conceive that there is {
political scheme in this plan, because tht
committee presenting this plan are uncom
promising in their respective political be
liefs. 1t seems ridiculous. however, tina
Mr.. Hagan and Mayor Kelly, two stronE
political opponents, should join hand!
across the bloody chasm to further polit