The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-07-10

OF the commission is necessary TO pass1
any measure and three members shall
constitute quorum. The yeas and
nays must be recorded as in a regular
couhcH meeting. The mayor has no
veto. The signature of the mayor and
Two OF the councilmen must be record
ed on every ordinance. A simple, di-
rect and expeditions method of trans
acting public business seems to be pro-
vided BY the section prescribing the du-
ties of the commission.
The commission or council will exer-
else all executive, legislative and ju-
dicial powers and duties now exercised
by the mayor. aldermen. board of pub
lie works, park commissioners, board of
waterworks trustees, board of library
trustees, solicitor, assessor, treasul er,
auditor, city engineer and other execu-
tive and administrative officers. The
executive and adminiStra tive authority
will be divided into the following five
departments:
Department of public affairs.
Department of accounts and finances.
Department of public safety.
Department of streets and public i'm
provements..
Department of parks and public pro-
perty.
Duties of the Mayor.
The mayor is by law made the super
intendent of the department of public
affairs and the council at the first reg
ular meeting following the election must
elct one councilman to be supepintend-
departments.
The commission may create and discOn-
tinue officers as may be necessary for
the welfare of the city and fix the COM
penSation.
Opportunity is given for close public
scrutiny of the actions of the commits
sion.
Every ordinance, franchise and con-
tract must be open to public inspection
after its adoption by the council for
seven days before it's final passage. And
| on irfn far
thereafter.
With the view of preventing franchise
grabs the charter requires all franchises
to public service corporations to be sub
mitted to a vote of the people for ap-
prevail.
No officer or employee is allowed to be
interested in any way in any contract or
job to which the city is a party or in
which any public service corporation is
interested. Any official or employe who
attempts to influence or control appoint
| ments directly or Indirectly is subject
to a fine of $500 or term in the county
| jail AS a further safeguard against
| political influence in the public service,
| a strict civil service system is establish
| ed. The council is obligated to appoint
| three civil service commissioners whose
| terms are for six years, each term end
| ing alternatively every two years. Any
| head of subordinate department may
suspend an employee. who shall have
right to appeal to the commission for
a trial. Appointments are to be made
from an eligible list of persons who
have successfully passed examination.
| Where the Des Moines plan differs
| conspicuously from the Galveston
plan is in the provision for the recall
| of a councilman whose conduct causes
dissatisfaction and also in the pro-
visions for the initiative and referen-
dunn. A petition bearing signatures
numbering IS per cent of the total
vote cast at the last preceding election
| must be presented to the clerk de-
handing an election for a successor
| to the incumbent whose removal is
! desired. The clerk is required by law
to put the incumbent's name on the
| ballot without nomination. If the in
| cumbenti gets a majority he remains
| in office. If the other candidate gets
| it the incumbent goes out.
Any proposed ordinance may be sub
mitted to the council by petition signed
| by electors eQualU in number to rs per
| cent of the last total vote. The council
| may pass 1t without alteration in TWEEN
ty days or submit it to the people at a
| special election. Any number of pro-
posed ordinances may be voted upon al
| the same election but no more than one
special election shall be held for such
purpose in any period of six months.
| The referendum works out much the
same way. If any ordinance is passed
to the people they have right to reject
| it by vote.
And in a somewhat similar manner
! the people may. after six years trial.
] vote to return to the old plan of gov
| eminent