The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-04-07
DIES MONIES PLAN OF
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT

ter organized today than ever in its
history. The councilmen we're compe
tent to judge the qualifications OF
the city solicitor and candidate for pc
lice judge. The general opinion is to-
day that We are in better hands than
ever in the history OF the city. The
same seems true with regard to cleri-
cal officers and that all appointees
have recognized that their continued
tenure in Office depends upon the good
will of the community; that the public
eye is upon their every act, and that
unless they do their duty, they Will be
relegated to the rear. II has had
magnificent effect upon even those
who under other conditions would have
been neglectful OF their public duties;
it has made men of them.
The plan of municipai government
is discussed throughout the countrs
and our Iowa cities are attractins
widespread interest. OF course it Is
, too early TO determine the full effect
OF the plan but its friends are hopeful
OF the best results and predict its
adoption by many of the cities of the
land. To quiet the fears of sincere
. doubters Of the innovation. Section 81
of the act was inserted so as to
permit cities adopting the plan to
. return to the former plan of
government after six years
trial
Municipal government involves the
exercise of two functions, viz. the
business function, which has to do with
the collection and disbursement of
public moneys. the making of contracts
for supplying the citizens with water.
light, power and heat, providing ade-
q quate transportation. the building of
3 sewers. sidewalks grading and paving
j streets and alleys, managemer. of
! public property, and the many provis.
!. ions to regulate the health and CON-
!, fort OF the people
! The various functions OF the city are
3 divided up into FIVE departments, each
councilman being placed at the head
I OF one department by majority vote
{ OF the entire council. The duties de-
= voivfng upon any one councilman NAV
DC NNN4 CoSCQ luCISdSSQ OF ITa0S-
4 ferred from oSe department to an
;. other. The object to be attained is to
. at all times hold the majority of the
:, council responsible. If councilman
: proves unworthy or incapable. the re-
- sponsibility rests with the entire coun-
: ell to SO supervise his work as to Sc
. cure results, and in the event of their
: failure TO so supervise such depart
: ment they are held accountable to pub
lie opinion. In order TO make them
representatives of the entire city they
n are elected at large and every voter in
IL the city feels that he has a personal
interest in every department of the
OF city in the work of each individual
ne councilman.
On To remove one of the most fragrant
IA sources of corruption all public fran
n chises except those of minor charac
e ter must be submitted TO the popular
% vote for ratification before they be
sr- come effective. whereby it would BIZ
RI improbable for franchise seekers t.
M corrupt the council in the matter of Sc
ct curing franchises in view of the fac
that the franchise when secured from
ca the council might not be ratified b,
be the people Safeguards are thrown
ee around the action of the council L
re- prevent abuses OF power
Dy Under these provisions ten DAYS ar
ne given to the citizens within which t
OF determine whether it is advisable t
al demand a referendum vote upon III
az ordinance in question. Thus obno1
m ious measures may be defeated BY tn
ne people themselves This is an el
ch tremely important condition calcula+
ire ed TO prevent bad government TIL
conditions imposed are so conserv;
'as tive as TO prevent recourse theret
ing except in fragrant cases The petitio
as for the referendum must be signed b
mo twenty-five per cent of the voters q
by shown by the last preceding electio
the for mayor
the Another important innovation,
ing that provided in Section 1s of the az
les for the initiative. whereby importar
Pc legislation sustained by public opinion
OF evidenced BY petition of twenty-fs
md per cen, of the voters mnst he take
osl up and considered by the council.
md ne avert ~ fs1,ers;,;a sc,ior H.. ~
lHe event OF favorable dclion oy IL
OF council the measures SO adopted sha
pc become valid ordinances. In the eyei
ula OF their rejection they must be su
ny mitted TO popular vote at either speci
~ or general elections. The initiati'
may also be exercised at gener
'Ns election upon the application of Il
'ra per cent OF the voters. this distinctic
loh being made for the manifest reasS
'au- that a special election would prove e
ioi psnsive and the general election n
involve any great additional expens
dis 1t viii be observed by students
ties municipal government that By this Ia
and the state Of Iowa has practically
IN stored the old New England toy
iais meeting system adapted to new con-
and tons that have developed since t
Tree town meeting system was inaugurate