The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1907-09-05
THE "DEs MONIES PLAN"


The most important, and perhaps
the most startling innovation, is the
safeguard known as the recall, de-
signed for the purpose of placing all
officials within the absolute control
of the people. Although officials COM
posing the governing board are elect
ed for definite term of two years,
yet, under this provision of the "Des
Moines Plan,'' their continuation il
office is at all times subject to the
will of a majority of the electors.
The history of practically every city
is disgraced with names of officers
who have proven unmindful of the
trust imposed il them and who
could not be removed before the ex-
piratioa OF their term of office. I'm
der this provision of the new char
ter, such a situation could be met
by a prompt recall of the offending
member. A petition signed by 25 per
cent of the voters, and stating in
general terms charges of i1compe-
tency or dishonesty, would be filed
with the city clerk. The offending
or guilty official would then, without
further delay, be required to stand
for reelection with any other candi-
date whom the people choose to nom
mate, and the one receiving the high
est number of votes will be the Off
Ger for the remainder of the term.
This recall feature of the law will
undoubtedly have tendency to keep
public officials in the straight and
narrow path of their duty. ever faith
full to the trust of their constituents.
The highest form of democratic gov
ernmeat is not attained by electing
a multiplicity of city officials, each
official to act as a check upon the
other, burt popular liberty Dis. more
certain of attainment where fewer
officials are elected and the proper
facilities are made for impresSing
upon these officials the popular will,
and making them responsible to the
whole people for the execution of
that will.
The desirability OF having the mem
bership of the governing board made
up of the strongest men of the city
has not been overlooked by the franz
ers of the "Des Moines Plan" Not
only have they made the office one
of honor and opportunity, attractive
to the honest and capable of every
community, but they have so chang
ed the manner of choice that the
election of this type of men is less
difficult, and the election of politi-
clans without business ability less
possible. The primary, as well as the
election, has been made non-partisan,
so that candidates can no longer de-
pend for their election upon party
Affiliations, but must go before the
people upon their own merits. Ward
lines have been removed, and with
the people voting at large, the evils
of ward politics are abolished, elect
ors are freer in recording their
choice of candidates, and the bust
ness man is better able to secure his
election without STOPPING to the low
practices of the politician.
The new charter certainly has an
inviting appearance, especially from
the viewpoint of theory, yet 1t re-
mains for the citizens of Des Moines
10 demonstrate that it's provisions
are as practical in operation as they
are beautiful in theory. Des Moines.
a city of one hundred thousand, of
fers a good field in which to try the
plan; she is entering upon most
interesting and instructive expert
ment in government reform, and the
eyes OF the American municipalities
are upon her, hoping that the ''Des
Moines Plan" will prove a practical
system, under which the public af
fairs OF our cities can be wisely and
economically administered-- Sidney
y. Wilson in National Magazine for
September