The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1902-02-11
LARGE POWERS ARE
GIVEN THE MAYOR
Appoints Heads Of Depart
ments and Has Veto Power
"A Resume Of tho New
Measure.

The State Bar association has issued
an elaborate analysis and explanation
of the new municipal code bill, in
troduced in the Ohio legislature on
Wednesday by Mr.. Comings, in which
are set forth in abbreviated form the
features of the voluminous measure and
the benefits sought to be obtained. The
report is prepared by special commit
tee of the association, and is very COM
plete. 1t details the efforts that have
been made during the past five years
toward the securing of new munich
pal code and the two years task of the
Bushnell code commission, which re-
suited in the bill now pending.
Following is resume of the bar
associations synopsis so far as it ap-
plies to cities:
"The revision adopts the classifica-
tion provided for in the constitution,
and divides municipalities into only two
classes-cities and villages. Cities are
all municipalities having 5000 inhabi-
tants and over by the last federal
census.
. "The merit system prevails through
out. 1t provides Cor the appointment
of four commissioners by the govern
or, not more than two of whom shall
be of the same political party who
4 shall classify all officers and places Of
appointment and employment in each
city. The merit system is to apply
to every appointee and employe in the
city service, except officers elected by
the people, or who are elected or ap-
pointed by the city council; judges and
clerks of election; members of boards
of education; the superintendent and
teachers of the public schools; heads
of the four principal departments of the
city government; trustee of the sink
ing fund tax and art commissioners;
assistant directors of law and prose-
cutting attorneys of the police courts.
Neither politics nor religion can be
considered in filing appointments un-
der classified service, and no appointee
or employe can be removed except for
cause. The cause for removal in every
case must be stated in writing; must
be filed with the commissioners and
be open to public inspection. The mer-
it system here embodied is compiled
from the federal civil service and from
the systems that have been working
with much success in cities outside of
Ohio.
LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE.
"The bill keeps separate the legisla-
ton and executive functions of mu-
nicipal officers. Upon the council will
rest the great responsibility of initial
ing and passing important measures
affecting the government Of the city,
and especially its financial affairs.
This power of the council will not be
hampered by any requirement that
some board of executive officers shall
first recommend the passage of such
measures.
Experience teaches that, in most
instances, where executive duties were
imposed upon boards, it resulted in
either a "vacillating, hesitating, in
efficient, or corrupt administration.
There can be no direct responsibility
and accountability under such a sys-
TEN.
"The legislative power is to be vest
ed in council consisting of seven
members, four to be elected by districts,
one from each district, and three to be
chosen at large, one of whom is to
be elected as president of the council.
All councilmen are to receive salaries,
and are to give bond. Each of said