Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1907-09-25
GALVESTON Plan
BIG MEETING HELD AT MANDAN
AND MATTER is DISCUSSED
s2 PRO AND CON.

A large crowd was present at the
meeting last evening that was held
at the opera house for the discussion
of the commission system" of city
government. It was a good natured
crowd and it showed by the questions
asked that the people were from Mis-
souri, and wera looking for informa-
ton. 10y
The question. was discussed pro and
con and both sides were benefited by
the meeting, and there is no doubt but
that the people will vote in an intel
ligent manner and for what they con-
slider the best interests of Mandan.
AS shown by the articles from the
Pioneer and Republican it will be not
ed that our newspapers have already
lined up on the proposition. The arti-
cles follow:
The Pioneer says: "Active interest
in the result of the election to be held
in this city Oct. 2, to determine the
question as to whether THE, commits
sion plan of city government will be
adopted, is being taken by the citizens
and the question is being much dis
cussed. It appears that there is an
effort being MAIDS on the part of some
who are opposed to the adoption of
the commission plan to make it ap-
pear that If the new plan is adopted it
will be easier for the rich to escape
taxation and that the poorer class
will have to pay morio taxes. This
statement is only campaign "rohr-
back and is being circulated among
the voters for political effect only. The
statement is untrue for as anyone will
see by looking up the law that as far
as taxation is concerned the pr,esent
law under which the city is operating
and the new law are identical There
is no change in the manner Of leyying
taxes, or in the amounts that can De
leyikd. and the entire question Of
taxes is left under the new law exact
" as it is now. ".
q The interest shown by the mer
Chants and the people generally au-
gers well for success at this polls. 1t
is rare indeed TO see such united
effort in behalf Of any measure as is
being made by our citizens in this
matter. However in view of the, false
stories that have been circulated CON
corning this new measure, it should
he borne in mind by those who believe
in the administration of the city af-
fairs on business principles and under
a business-like system that from now
on until election time constant work
should be done to offset the false
statements that are being circulated
in riegard to the commission"
The Republican says: "A number
OF our citizens have been working for
some weeks to bring about a change
in the form of our city government
Thlay claim that the present system o.
a mayor and a board of six aldermen
Z who are elected two from each ward
should go by the board, and a com
mission of five to be elected at large
and serve for four years be installed
in their plac5. The election at Whicl
the proposed change will be vote;
on will be held Wednesday, Oct
1907. IBID v
~ AT this writing it looks as if Their
would be no change as most peopl
seem to feel that the present mayo
and city council are doing their hes
to give us an economical and business
like management Of city affairs, unde
very trying conditions The cit
treasury is practically empty and ha
\ been SO for wears, as the result 9
3 past bad management. Our taxes ar
high and there is no chance of thei
being any lower until rigid economy
backed by honest and capable manag,
ment on the part of the city father
& brings change. We believe the pre-
4 ent city administration is as able I
do this as any the people may pr
In their place. and the present systea
of city government seems to be COZ
sidered by the most advanced cite
of america as the one best fitted f
& tbs needs OF the average eitize,
What we need more than anythin
else is less knocking and a more ear
est effort on the part Of ali good eli
zens to help, instead OF hinder, Il
efforts Of the present city administr
ton to bring about needed fmproy
ments and reforms. Let's get toget
er We can't all have everything o.
own way and IL we join together +
fIss general good we wont need
commission of i've to run our bushes
for us without any chance Of chani
TOR four years whether they do rig
or wrong. Under the present syste
we can change every two years AZ