Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1909-05-16
COLORADO SPRINGS
HAS ABOL|SED
WARD SYSTEM
Adopts Commission Form of
Government by 0verWhelm-
ing Vote With the Recall
ProViSo,
Especial cspo encr 10 Morning Journa'l

wv
Especial Correspondence 10 Morning Journal
Colorado Springs. colo, May Ia
Colorado Springs has Just adopted by
an overwhelming vote Of 3l6l to 2bJ'
the commission form OF government
under a charter which abolishes the
ward system, eliminates party politics
| provides the recall. initiative ref
erendum, and places ample r~estrlc-
lions around the granting Of iran
chises. The charter is probably the
most liberal adopted by any Ameri-
can municipality. because of the IA u
that the Legislature gives cities a tree
rein in making their charters. Colo
RADIO Springs is the first Colorado city
to adopt the commission form, al
though Grand Junction, Pueblo and
other cities are now taking steps to
that end. The charter comes as the
result of a movement advocated by the
press and backed by the chamber of
commerce and other civic bodies. Tho
instrument was drawn by twenty-onc
representative citizens. nominated by
a joint committee from the civic or
CARNATIONS. The first election under
the new charter will be on Tuesday,
July G.
In many respects the charter is re-
markablc. The only elective Officers
are the mayor and four councilmen
who compose the council in which tn,
powcr Of the city are vested. Re
sponsibility is fixed by the creation of
ITO, .J.A. - ., - 81 t1. hHa1 .Af zach
of which Is one member. The de-
pa1tments are: water and water works,
governed by the mayor; finance; pub
lie health and sanitation, public works
and property; and public safety. Pro
vision is made to put the water sys-
tom on "A sclf-sustaining basis, IN ef-
fort is made to secure a uniform sys-
TEN OF public accounting. The mayor
$4,000 salary. cOuncllmen
$1,000.
The most radical measures perhaps
are in regard to elections, the idea be-
ing to eliminate all fractional control
Nominations are made by the filing or
twenty-five individual certificates. the
tho nominee, must make affidavit to
the fact that the candidate is not the
representative of any political party
The charter further provides: Nothing
on the ballot shah be indicative Of
source Of the candidacy or OF the
OF a candidate. No ballot shall
nave printed thereon any party or
political design or mark and there
shah not be appended to tho name of
any candidate any such party or poll
deal designation or mark, or anything
Indicating his views or opinions \
majority of al Views cast is rcQuircd
N case no one receives a majority a
second election is held Except for
nvalids, no carriages are allowed on
day.
No franchises may be granted OK
'ept on vote of the qualified electors
rhe people reserve the right to rcgu-
fares and rates. and may license
itrcet cars. meters. poles and similar
The council retains com
'rehcnsivo oversight Of any franchise
'ffecting the city's water system. Each
is required TO make "A de-
allied annual report. The city re
elves on all franchises three per cent
# the gross receipts for the first fif-
cen years and five per cent for tn {
omainder Of tho life Of the grant. The !
ity may purchase any public utility. 4
franchise may be granted for a +
'eriod Of more than twenty-five years.
on petition OF thirty per cent Of tn :
electors, an elective officer (
nay be removed from office through
he recall" The initiative requires !
he signatures of fifteen per cent and 4
fter these have been obtained. the I
ouncil has the option Of passing tho /
roposed ordinance or Of submitting (
to a vote OF tho people The refer J
ndum works In the same way TN
er penalty Of removal. no official may ,
aceivc free service from q corpora y
A civil service commission H. Il
uthorized TO provide for placing tho
re-. police and public works employees o
nder civil service. other emplove- z
~ appointed by the mayor upon rec .
Of the councilmen. The a
nnual levy IS limited 90 twenty mills
the bonded indebtedness 10 three n
'r ccnt Of the total valuation. * y
'pting for the purpose Of proft-yieid- !
u public utilities one section makes :,
obligatory on all physicians to re- =
lrt infectious. contagious or COM
.unicable diseases. and tho DEPART o
.ent Of public health g. authorized to %
.quire such means as II deems wise
II protection.
Miss Louise Bull. OF St. Louis. No. =
visiting hef sister Nfrc I - ~. "