Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-11-26

the Des Moines plan as adopted in this
/ city is the power Of the entire city
! council to say what men shall be hired
in any one department" said City So
| licitor Robert Brennan, who is draw
| Ing up suggestions for the legislature
/ The law should be so amended
that each superintendent shall be su.
preme in making appointments in his
department, thus fixing the respoisibil-
ity absolutely. AS at present, super
intendent may discharge an employe
who has the right TO appeal TO the
other councilmen who may outvote the
superintendent.
Amendments Sought
I'VE want the city TO have the
power to prevent the placing Of OBJ
strucUions in the streams within its
borders and to beautify the banks.
Along this same line, we want the
right to condemn property for the
building of Ievies. We want it made
necessary for the city to approve real
estate plats before any lots are sold.
THE problem of regulating corpora
tons is important. We want the city
council to have the right to examine
the books of the public utility corpora
tions if they fail to make reports as
the Jaw provides.
Then we want the city ordinances
to stand in court the same as statutes
stand at present. Those are some of
the changes we think would benefit
the Des MoinG8 charter"
City is Developing.
The Improvement Of the city along
the line Of public buildings is pro
crossing. A new $350,0O0 city hall
has been voted, the building of which
will be under the supervision of the
city commission. A new cement bridge
costing $200,OOO is being built across
the Des Moines river. A new coliseum
is projected and in other ways the
city is preparing to improve skyward.
Several Of the leading citizens of
Des MOines were asked their opinion of
the system, particularly as to whether
or not the concentration Of power in
the hands of five men is safe. In every
instance, the reply was the same.
No machine" Building.
The fact that there is no building
Of machinery or an attempt to bui d
concentrated machine is the best ans
Wer to your question in the negative"
said J. G. Berryhill one of the found
ers of the new charter. "The commits
5iOners are chosen from different walks |
Of life. The right of recall is one
check, the initiative and referendum
by which important measures are
submitted to popular vote, is another. |
You need not fear that the Des Moines
plan will ever turn a city into a mon
archy. 1t is impossible"
Lafayette Young editor of the Des
MOines Capital was asked the same
question. The new plan is working
better all the time, the city affairs are
prospecting as never before and with
the safeguards which the charter
throws about the commissioners, can
see no danger whatever from cOncen-
tration of power. In fact, I doubt if
the power is concentrated except as
to each individual department where
this concentration permits the abso-
lutte fixing of responsibility"
Governor A. B. Cummins is an
booster Of the Des Moines
plan at is proving it's efficiency and
every day" the governor
said "The p an is so framed that it
makes the people supreme. The fran
chise grabber is non est, for the people
have the right to say when a franchise
shall be granted and when not. The
people also are given the opportunity
to get a speedy hearing directly with
the man responsible for the conduct of
affairs"
Senator c. c. Dowel, who boosted
the new charter through the legislat-
ure is of the opinion that the commits
sion system is safe and secure.
Every action of the council is public"
he said. New ordinances and pro-
posed changes in ordinances must be
published and all city records are pub
lie. The charter is specific in pre-
pairing for open and above board ac-
countings and the people are always
appraised of what is taking place. If
hey are not satisfied, they have the
right to recall"