The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1904-12-24

The meanest and lowest trick that has
come to the notice of the citizens Of
this city for some time is the action of
the Charter commission in submitting
an amendment to the city charter pro-
viding for the reorganization Of the
Board Of Public Works. Almost every
citizen in Duluth who believes in pure
city government is in favor of the Or
sanization of the Board of Public
Works on modern lines. The Charter
commission at it's last meeting voted
to submit the matter to the people, but
held that if the matter was carried it
should not 60 into effect until 1906.
No good reason can be given for the
delay for one year. If the reorganiza-
tion is a good thing in 1906 it ought to
be good thing in 1905. If the present
system is not good the quicker the
change is made the better it will be for
good government. -
: The secret Of the matter is we'll fore
seen. Republican machine politicians
on the Charter conIniasion iu1mediate i
81 rott
shrewd inanouevering they induced Che
non-partlsan members to agree to their
Well laid plans. 1t is the hope Of the
machine politicians to elect a RepubN-
can mayor next year. If they are sue:
cessful they want to enjoy the privi-
lege Of organizing the Public Works
commission to suit their mercenary
purposes.
Heretofore it had been thought that
the Charter commission was absolutely
free from party politics. 1t now appears
that one Of the ablest members of the
commission has forgotten his real duty
as q citizen On that commission and
has dragged this honorable body to the
lowest depths Of political scheming.
The people will not stand for it. They
want fair play. If the abolition of the
Board of Public Works Is desired by
the people, now is the time to abolish
it. Why wait for one year to suit the
purpose Of designing politicians. when
the interests of the city will best be
subserved by the immediate reorgani-
zation of the board: :.
Even the News Tribune, the official
Republican paper Of this city consid-
cred the Charter commissions posi-
ton so ridiculous that it failed to make
mention of their action after the meet
ing. sHXt
Mayor Cullum, in a letter to r. T.
Hudson, chairman of the commission
has well exposed the action o. the
commission. Before it is too latAxft is
hoped that the commission Will get
right with itself. Good government de-
mands that party politics and trick
cry be given a death blow by, the
charter commission. One Of thee rea-
sons for the appointment Of this$aseom-
mission by the district court wins: to
keep it out of low politics. Has the
law been miscarried? Have the COM
missioners violated their sacred trust ?
This remains to be seen. "a;
In his letter Mayor Cullum artaigns
Oscar Mitchell, the representative Of
the machine on the commission, In Ian
guage that shows his warmth ct feel
ing on the matter. IL, IL
He claims that the commissionas:ffavo vors
the plan he advocates but through the
planning Of the ex-city attorney and
machine manager politics has con-
trolled the action of the commission,
and prevented the abolishment of the
board during Mayor Cullums present
term Of office = zxt:
The following is a. copy Of the COM
munication, which is addressed to T.
T. Hudson, as chairman Of the Charter
commission, and is published by per-
mission of Mayor Cullunl: IN.
"As to your action in the matter OF
submitting a; charter amendment look
ing toward the abclishment Of the
board Of public works, ION Saturday
evening last, I have this to say: That
the statement made by the ex-city at!
torney and erst-while machine man
ager, as to my position on the: post.
ponement Of the action for oneg.year;
was not true, as, two other mem bsrs
of the commission present will be VIII.
ing to testify. S<i.,
Il did agree with the committee: az
to the proposed working OF the commits
sion but advocated voting on it at the
coming spring election, because ii
Thought there would be less partisan
strife and It would be more likely "a
pass; but realize that, much to my Re: