The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-07
FOR A SPECIAL CHARTER
4 PERMANENT ORGANIZATION OF
MUNICIPAL OFFICERS.
A Committee VIII Attempt to secure
Favorable legislation OIL
cers Elected.

4Hc COt1cIcICt HclQ d. ~ SOlltlcA Cidi
Club yesterday. under the auspices Of the
State Board of Commerce. resulted in the
formation OF a permanent organization.
which will have for its object the procure
ment, if possible, OF a special charter that
will cover the needs of the smaller cities
OF Indiana. The conference was attended
by mayors and other municipal officers
from different Indiana towns. As a result
of the permanent organization the follow
ing chief officers were elected:
President-J. E.. McHenry. Of Wabash.
Secretary-Francis T. Roots, OF Corners
Vile.
Treasurer-W. III. Craig, Of Noblesville.
Executive Committee-Arthur w. Brady.
OF Muncie. chairman; b. f. Deahl, of
Goshen; W.. s.. Christian, of Noblesville;
John McGregor. of Madison; ]. w. Robb.
OF Clinton; George w. Funk, of Logans-
port; James E. Nelson. of Greencastle;
A. l.. Mason. of Indianapolis, and William
Fortune, Of Indianapolis.
The president and secretary of the or
ganization will also act as membe of the
executive committee. The following were
elected vice presidents: Mayor Justice. of
Lafayette; Mayor Mcclure. of Madison;
Mayor Colfax, of South Bend; Mayor Dun
lap, OF Anderson, Mayor DUNCAN, of Hunt
ington; Mayor Zimmerman, of Richmond:
Mayor Tuhey, Of Muncie; Mayor Scherer,
or Fort Wayne; Mayor Christie, of Lig-
oneer; Mayor Simmons, of Portland; Mayor
Ruley, of Hammond; Mayor Green, of Vim
cennes, and Mayor O'Brien, of Lawrence
burg.
MR.. MAsON'S ADDRESS.
President Fortune, of the State. Board of
Commerce. presided at the conference as
temporary chairman. The chief speech OF
the day was by A L.. Mason, chairman of
the committee on municipal affairs of the
State Board of Commerce, who discussed
THE Best Charter for the Smaller Cities
In Indiana" While Mr.. Mason talked OF
reforms that could be made in city govern
ment by way Of a special charter, he insist
ed that any Indiana city tina has a salts
factory government at present ought not
10 want TO change TO a new system. Mr..
Mason would place more responsibility on
the mayors of the smaller cities. He thinks
the mayor should have the veto power and
and should be allowed to appoint the city
attorney. Mr.. Mason, in summing up his
views, declared that the smaller cities
should have charters similar to the char
tiers under which the cities Of Indianapolis,
Ierre Haute, Evansville and Fort Wayne
are governed. Mr.. Mason's ideas appeared
10 meet with approval, and 1t was with q
view TO carrying out these ideas in a gem
eral way that the permanent organization
was formed. 1t will be the duty OF the ex-
ecutive committee to proceed with the work
OF drafting a bill and as soon as this is
completed there Will be another conference
and the bill will be submitted. Some of
those who spoke are in favor of reducing
the number OF municipal officers in the
smaller towns. For instance, w. S. Chris
tian, of Noblesville. thought the office of
city treasurer might be abolished in hts
city and the county treasurer could make
all collections. George w. Funk, of Lo-
gansport, said he believed Logansport could
get along without a city treasurer and he
believed they might carry on the city
government with five cOuncilmen instead of
ten. The discussion relative to the special
charter scheme was principally under this
head: ~"Desirability of Federal or American
plan of government for the smaller cities
OF Indiana, adapted to aclassihcation ac-
ccrding TO population"
A COMMISSION.
w. w. Thornton, Of Indianapolis, SUBJ
mitted his views which were somewhat at
variance with those who favor the speciai
charter scheme. Mr.. Thornton thought 1t
was useless to try to get legislation pro-
v'ding a special charter through the Gen.
eral Assembly this year. His plan was
to get the Legislature to pass an act Great
ing a commission whose duties il would be
to arrange a system of laws for the govern
ment of smaller cities and have the
Legislature two years hence take up the
matter. Other members of the organiza-
ton, however, were in favor of going on
with the charter plan and of making an
earnest effort to get the approaching Legs
iature to look at the matter in a favorable
light.
after the adjournment of the conference
the executive committee held a meeting
and appointed a subcommittee consisting
nf MQQSrS RrQdv ATrDIcpru N,r~, -
Fortune to begin at once on the prepara-
ton Of a bill providing for a desirable form
of charter. The work of the
mittee. Another conference will be held
as soon as the executive committee is
ready TO report.