The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-06-16
CITY RULE BY FIVE MEN
DIES MONIES TO VOTE on 4 NEW
FORM or GOVERNMENT.

II Turns Most OF the city Gov eminent Over
to a Commission OF Five win Large
Powers and seeks to Eliminate Partisan
Politics AItogethcr-COmplete Publicity
DIES MONIES, la, June l5.-"The Des
Moines Plan a form Of city government
, which is called ideal by its advocates, is TO
he voted upon by Des Moines on June 20.
The law providing for its submission 10
the people Of the city was passed by the
last Legislature.
II is even more radical than the Galveston
commission form Of municipal government
which was devised 10 give better prote"-
ton to the people of that city after they
had been rendered homeless by the tidal
| wave of n few years ago. IT embraces
| many features Of tho Galveston and Hous-
| ton systems.
Briefly stated, the law provides for five
| councilmen or commissioners who shall
have absolute control Of the entire govern
mont of the city and he responsible for il.
Their power is great. They can make
laws and unmake them rule the city as
| absolutely as the commission in Washing
ton rules the nations capital. In fact
| their power is so far reaching that the OPP
| moments of the system call il monarchical
and un-A American.
At the same time the voters have an
absolute CHECK upon this council 10y means
Of the recall, which has been tried and
pronounced successful at Los Angeles. This
recall provides for the removal Of any
officer elected by the people upon a MAJOR
ity vote. Twenty-Five per cent. of the
voters may petition for sue h removal. and
the city council must call a special cleo
ton to vote upon the question.
The law provides for the election OF a
Mayor and four councilmen. who snaii be
chosen at large and not by wards, as under
the present system. Their term of office
shall be two years, and a Urinary election
is required 10 name candidates.
An absolutely N bipartisan form of gov
eminent Ia sought, Any person may be a
candidate ia. n nomination on petition Of
twenty-five voters, and at tho following
election al mon arc eliminated but the ton
receiving the highest vote. The use II
money or promises in any way is prohih-
tied in the election and n Jail sentence Ia
provided for violation OF this provision.
The new council has the duties ana pow
ere Of al! city officials though il is required
to appoint n city nunitor. treasurer, DC,
who are bonded and restricted by the gem
oral statutes now in force. There are five
city departments pIplic Affairs, accounts
and finances. public snfCty. streets and
improvements and parks and public prop.
crty. and one councilman ia NJ the head Of
zach. BY the now law the park board. the
library board aud other independent orRani-
cations controlling city properly are elm
mated only the school board being loft
undisturbed.
Tho salary ot the councilmen in cities
Of the size OF nes Moincs is fTe1 at s7.OO0.
while the Mayor gets $500 more annually
Smaller salaries arr provided In cities Of
less ponulation. The Mayor Ia president
Of the Council, hut has no power of veto.
All meetings are required 70 he held in
public.
Special provision ia made for the pro-
lection OF the public in the mAttcr uf fran
chises and 70 prevent secrecy. FLOR In