The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-07-27
NEGROES SAY NO.
Majority of Them Opposed to
Government by Commission.
In Their Mouths It Has Flavor
of the South.
HARD ON SPOILS, TOO.
Those Promoting Plan Are
Alive to Situation.
Capable Men Suggested for Com
missiOnerships.
HARD ON SPOILS, TOO.

Negro voters in Topeka are opposed
to the commission plan of government
which it is proposed shall supersede
the present method of civic govern
ment. This statement does not apply
Unfortunately to al the voters of
this class but by far the greater pro-
portion object to the proposed change.
At first when the agitation was COM
menced in favor of a commission op
position of the strongest kind. of an
seemingly unreasonable kind, was
met with from every negro who was
approached for his views. They had
nothing particular to say beyond the
fact that they felt it wouldn't be wise
to change.
Finally one negro let out the rea-
son OF the animus. The commission
plan hailed from Texas. That flavor
of Texas tasted rancid to them. They
did not want any Texas f1avoring in
any dose of city government that
might be administered to them. Ex-
plantations were volunteered but the
listener turned his back, bumped him
self up in a manner to dispirit the ex-
palmer who finally turned away dis
heartened.
Ever since then-early this spring
1t has been recognized that the negro
vote was against the commission plan
of government.
The simple fact that other cities
were being operated on commission
plan. that Indianapolis, Des, Moines,
Wash ington, d. c.. and others had
adopted this form of the administra-
ton of city affairs did not upset the
fact that Dallas and Galveston were
being operated upon the same plan.
The balance settled down and the
action of two Texas cities outweighed
that of three north of the Mason and
Dixon line. The opinion seems to
mr. fnf ole Of fI1a
negro voters that the commission plan
of government is a southern institu-
ton, a kind of survival of the days
before the war. revamped to suit more
modern times.
This reason and another most po-
tent, that 1T does away with the spoils
system OF politics are causing the
negro voter as class to oppose COM
mission government.
The members of the city club who
are booming the commission plan are
to realize the situation that
confronts the proposition. 1t is not
one to cause any great degree of con-
hdence that a commission plan will |
carry at an election, for the negro vote |
is an important factor in local poll |
tics. In fact with the lines running !
power. He generally is pretty we'll |
aware of that truth. For this reason |
the spoils of political warfare are gem |
orally divided with a spirit of gener- |
osity and the negro shares almost as |
well as the white man in appointment |
to office. The fear expressed is that |
this treatment will not be melted out |
when councilmen give way to commits |
sioners.
one of the best features about COM |
mission government agitation is that |
the substantial business men, the pro- |
fessional men and the best element |
among the negroes of the city are in |
favor of it.
with a vigorous campaign conducted |
on enterprising lines the people who |
are for an improvement in the manage |
ment of the city's business may sue
oppose and overcome the pre- |
judice that exists against concentra- |
ton of government in a commission. 1t |
Is not going to be an easy task, how |
ever, and this is being driven home. |
The councilmen may be relegated to |
the rear next spring but if they are 1T |
Is only going to be, after the hardest |
kind of fight. The present city coun-
cil-while it Is probable majority of
the number favor the Changes by no |
means entirely for 1t.
Casting around for probable material |
to fill the five places which will be open
IN commission the following men have
talked of: William Green, F. E. Nipps,
2. E. Jordan, w. s. Bergundthal, G. E. |
Jewell, William Moeser, T. F. Carver, |
J. w. F. Hughes, E. L. Copeland, w.
H. Davis, John r. Mulvane and w. E. |
Sterne.
c. E. Jewell and William Moeser are
mentioned very favoraby, especially, |
because of their management of the |
department. In the COM
mission plan one member of the COM
mission would have charge of the
instead of the three men
hat serve now. Mr.. Jewell and Mr..
Moeser have both made very envia BILE
-ecords in the discharge of duties in
the affairs of the water
works. H'sads of departments will, of
course, have immediate charge of their
departments as they do now, the COM
nissione-s simply superseding the coun
I'll committees.