The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-03-15
THE GALVESTON PLAN
Government of Towns Placed in Fewer
Hands For Absolute Control
in all Matters:

in all Matters:
Since the adoption by the legisla-
ture Of the Galveston plan for the
contlel ot..cities, --towns and villages,
many have wondered what its pro-
visions and what it has to offer for
the berterment OF the usual way of
running towns. Where the plan has
been put into operation it has been
said to meet with popular favor. 1t
is said that Sioux Falls was respon-
sible for 1.-The Introduction of the
measure, and perhaps Sioux Falls
will give the other towns in the state
and illustration of it's actual opera
ton. The plan removes the busi-
ness from partisan politics. The fol-
lowing is a synopsis of the law as it
was passed:
The change is optional with cities
of the first, second or third class, or
those under special charter.
The matter can lie submitted to
voters by a petition to the mayor
and council when signed by ten per
cent 10 the number Of votes cast at
the last municipal election.
Cities organized under this act
shall be bodies polite and corporate
and shall be governed by a mayor
and four commissioners who shall
constitute the board OF commission
ers, the mayor being the president.
The board of commissioners, by a
majority vote, is given the power TO
appoint all officers and s~ubordinates
In all departments of the city.
In case Of any vacancy from any
cause in the office Of mayor or COM
missioner, it can he filled by election
for the %unexpIred term.
The board Of commissioners is given
control over all departments of the
city, o member being known as po-
lice and fire commissioner another,
commissioner of streets and public
property; another waterworks and
sewerage commissioner, and the
fourth. commissioner of finance and
revenue.
Each member of the commission is
given police power in the city and
within one mile outside of..the cor
porate Unite, and the mayor is en-
powered to call on every male inhab-
liant over the age Of l8 years, to aid
IN enforcing the laws and ordi-
nances.
Commissioners are prohibited from
engaging in any business transaction
with the city when money is tc he
paid.
The board must meet at least once
a week and provision is made for call
ing special meetings..
No law, ordinance or resolution
passed by the board, except such as
are for the preservation of public
health, shall 90 into effect until
twenty days after passage, and the
qualified voters, within the period
mentioned. may Tile a petition re-
quiring the measure to be submitted
to a vote Of the electors for rejection
or approval.
The right to propose laws, ordin-
ances or resolution having the effect
Of laws, for the government OF a city
shall rest with any five pre- cent of
the electors, this being based on the
number Of votes cast at the last gen.
eral election for mayor.
The board is given practically full
control Of the city's administrator
and is given mMy specific powers
among which are The control Of fin
ances and property OF the city, power
to appropriate money for corporate
purposes only, to levy taxes, to Dor
row money Oh the credit Of the cor
poration and to make improvements
in the city.
Section SO provides fol the appoint
ment by the board OF a city treasurer,
assessor, auditor, police, justice,
city justice Of the peace, city attor-
ney, city engineer, and "'such other
officers as may be deemed necessary
The board is given power TO fix the
salary Of all city officials.
The mayor and commissioners will
compose the board Of equalization
and will meet on the fourth Monday
in June in each year.
The board is prohibited from pralt-
Ing any franchise without first sub
hitting the proposition to the voters.
Every city organized under this act
shall continue an independent school
district, and the board of education.
consisting Of five directors shall be
elected annually at the election held
for commissioners.