The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1905-04-22
5nmf nj thr prnhlrma
ut M1ttttrtral Gnurrnmrnt
By GOV. ROBERT NJ. LAFoLLETTE.
IF Wisconsin,.

= !. !. !. !. /. /. !. !. !. !. !. !. ]. ]. ]. !. !. !. !. !. !. !. !. !. !. !. |. !. !. !. !. ]. !. !. !. !. !. !. !. !. !. /. !. !. !. !. I. |. ]: |. !. ]. !. !. !. /. !. !. ]. ]. |. !: !: :. !. !: !.
MENNMNsm> One of the greatest problems of to-day is
MkkNsNAakAgNaM.MA that of municipal government. The urban popu-
MWaNNMMMMM#A 1aton is constantly increasing. In 1900 in Wis
N1NNMW &A constr, for example, Iii total population vas a
ENNaYNSM aam3 trfe over 100000. OF this number S758o8
NNsssMMsAsA were living in cities. Wisconsin has 81 incor-
ENgWAaaAEAgA $50 porated cities, and in other states the proportion
NNANNsAsNs 49, of dweIcrs in cities to those in the rural districts
VNNMI xLaEG|M/ is as great and in some cases even greater. Dues
WMMMMM%@MMw tons affecting so large a percentage OF the people
~%MMM@WMw are therefore OF deep concern.
~ In Legislation affecting municipal govern
government, two general methods have been
adopted. In tie United States and England, cities have been treated
from the viewpoint that they are merely subordinates of the state and
can only act upon express and specific authority from the state. Under
this theory, all the powers Of the city are enumerated i'll detail, and it has
IL other or greater powers than those expressly granted " fairly implied
from expressed grants.
The other method, that adopted by the continental countries of Eu-
rope, goes upon the theory that a city has an existence separate and apart
from the state a a whole, and that it should have full power to do any
thing not forbidden b. the state.
In other words. the principle followed in this country is that a city
charter is a grant of power while under the other method it S a limitation
OF power. 1t would seem plain that the functions OF city government are
largely local, affecting only its own citizens and therefore municipal cor
porahDns should have tn. largest measure of self-government possible.
To bring this about, students Of municipal questions, almost without
exception, advocate a modified system Of direct legislation for cities.
Briefly stated, it is proposed that no city ordinance, except such IS ray
be necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health II
safety, shall go into effect until 80 days after its passage, and if within
SAID tine a certain percentage OF the voters OF the state sign a petition
asking that the ordinance be submitted tothe voters at the polls, it shall
be 50 submitted at the next general or municipal election or al a special
election called for that purpose. II a majority Of those voting upon the
measure favor it. it becomes operative, otherwise not. This plan it will
readily be seen WORLD afford complete protection to the city from Ill
advised or corrupt acts Of its common council.
But should the officers OF the city neglect or refuse to take action by
ordinance O otherwise i'll respect to any matter of public interest, it is
city. the council shall act upon the measure proposed in the petition, either
adopting, amending or rejecting it, and thereafter the measure shall be
submitted to the people for final decision at the next election or a special
election called for that purpose.
1t would seem there could be no possible objection to this plan, and
it is certain that it would prevent many OF the evils which menace or
present system of municipal government.