Omaha daily bee., 1908-10-02

that the limitations In the Michigan con-
stitution are not only reasonable in them
selves. but that they make the cities and
villages in their local affairs the more
secure"
Following the presentation Of the adj
dresses and papers on Home Rule the
delegates entered into a lengthy and pro-
tracted discussion OF the subject. repre-
sentatives from cities in all parts OF the
country giving their views on II and tell
ing their troubles. one Of those was
Mayor Charles II. Ellis OF Camden. n. j..
and in his short talk declared:
1--WE have the highest respect for the
governors Of our states. but I don't be-
heve in giving any one man too much
power. What does the governor know of
the conditions in the city, but still we allow
him to appoint our fire and police commits
sioners. We are giving the governors too
much power and the first thing we know
we will have czars sitting in the executive
mansions OF the commonwealth instead OF
governors elected by the people to do the
will of the people"
Crittenden opposes This View.
Mayor Thomas Crittenden Of Kansas city
took the other view OF the situation and
said that he found no fault with the APP
pointment of members Of the commission
by the governor. He said that in Kansas
City the best men in the town we're on the
commission and that they never meddled
with politics.
Mayor George w. Scott Of Davenport.
Ia. said that in his state they have
travelled a long ways toward home rule.
The mayor appoints the fire and police
commissioners. not more than two-thirds of
the members belonging to one party. The
mayor also appoints the members of the
library board, but the appointees must be
confirmed by the council. The council
grants all franchises, but should twenty
five resident freeholders petition for a vote
the matter must be submitted to the people
for ratification.
In Virginia cities, under a new constitu-
ton adopted in 1900, franchises can not be
granted until after they have been ad.
vertised three years and passed by a two
thirds vote of the people. said Mayor Joe
H. Cutchin of Roanoke.
L. A. LaPointe, one OF the aldermen oil
Montreal, Canada. told the delegates that
Canadian cities were a Ions ways from
having home ru1e. Montreal in governed
under a special charter, but 1t has to go &c
the legislature whenever It wants any
changes or special privileges, said Mr.
LaPointe.
Only One such Address.
One address was delivered on the subject
Of Municipal Government by Commission. >
Four address were to have been delivered
on the subject, but c. II. Huston of Cedar
Rapids, superintendent of the department
Of streets and public improvements, wa.
the only speaker in attendance at tn,
Thursday session. The subject will b.
taken up again Friday morning for discus
sion.
Commissioner Huston was alderman To-
four years and then mayor for four year.
Of Cedar Rapids, under the old regim,
and has been a commissioner since the es
Enlistment of the plan in his city las
March. Mr.. Huston was enthusiastic owe,
the workings of the Galveston plan anC
had the following to say Of the efficienc,
Of this new form of city government:
Il contend that the commission plan Il
practical from every point OF view. II
the first place, 1t provides for REASONABLE,
compensation-t2,600 TO the mayor. 81
a year to each councllman-and reQuirei
services therefor.
Home Rule Campaign.
Before adjournment Mayor Rhett O
Charleston, s. c., chairman of the com
mittee, presented the following resolutions
which were adopted by unanimous vote o
the convention:
Resolved, That a committee OF ten b,
appointed by the president for the purpos,
OF FORMING and projecting an organized
campaign for the desirable end-home ruI,
to eli municipalities.
Resolved. further, That all MUNICIPALITIES
however small, be extended u cordial in,
v%itation TO join in the movement.
Resolved, That the fifteenth convention
or the League of American Municlpalitie,
shall be held in the city of Chicago d1lrins
the month of September in the year lSli
and be II further
Resolved, That in connection with tn,
sald convention q municipal exposition
shsil be conducted by the Information bu.
the plans set forth by the said bureau. AM
and be 1t still further
Resolved, That a cordial invitation shall
De extended to oil municipal Organizations
as we'll 9s to other organizations devote,
TO municipal improvement and good GOV
rnment, throughout the United State
Chicago during the said month of Sen
TENDER, 1911, and to otherwise co-operaf
to the end that the proposed 'Municipa
exposition" will also be a congress OF or
Whereas, There are many commoditia
used by the cities OF the United States an,
r canada In which standardized values d
not seem to prevail and in which allow
hnces seem TO be unfortunately made 10
I exploiting and introducing and which resul
IN Incidental expense which ought not I
, be required, therefore be Il
resolved, That the league recognizes IN
need for requiring such commodities I
be standardized in prices so that ali elite
may have the benefit OF the lowest price
and may be enabled by making prons
freight allowances to at once determine IN
proper prices to pay for any such com
modify.
Resolved, That the secretary be and here
by Is directed to maintain in connectio
with his office and with the official pub
lication OF the league a clearing house 10
such commodities as paving brick, asphal
and other material, sewer and water pip,
fire and hose appliances, sprinklinE, road
making appliances. and other articles 1
ordinary municipal use to which burea
OF the various cities can report their puI
chases and from which they can derive n
Quired information.
View Plant.
Before the convention opened city Err
gineer Rosewater took about thirty dels