The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-06-21
THE COMMISSION PLAN.

THE COMMISSION PLAN.
There are cogent reasons by the
score why the commission plan of
city government is better than the
ialdermanic system now in vogue in
Keoisuk and should be substituted for
the latter. The proposition is to be
voted on at a special election to be
held on Thursday of next week and
there should be general knowledge
of the superiority of the commission
arrangement. 1t is proposed in this
and succeeding articles to point out
some OF its chief advantages.
In the first place. the commission
plan ensures better municipal govern
ment than is possible under the al
dermanic system. This fact in itself
is sufficient, reason for its adoption.
Good government is the great desid-
eratum. All other considerations are
secondary. One reason why the com
mission plan ensures better govern
ment than we now have or can have
under the present arrangement of
aldermen elected by wards is found
In the fact that it makes possible the
selection of the men best fitted to
transact the city's business. The
commission plan eliminates ward
lines and places the power in the
hands of the people of the whole city
to make the nominations and choose
the men whom they desire in charge
of the affairs of the municipality.
Party lines, also, are obliterated and
the best men, irrespective of politics,
are named for the positions to be
filed. The people are not only un-
fettered by ward and party lines, but
they make their selections direct and
on their own initiative. The selec-
tions are 'safeguarded by the fact that
the sitting process is twice applied.
In the first place, in making the NOM
nations the voters of the whole city
have an opportunity to place the very
best men on the ticket at primary
election. In the second place, the
pick Of the best is made possible by
reason Of the fact that all the voters
OF the city again signify their choice
at the regular election. In no other
way are the people SO likely to select
the right men. 1t is the most repre-
sentative way and the way which
gives all the people the largest voice
possible.
The value and Importance of thi.
arrangement in the interest of goot
government can hardly be overesti
mated. Anyone may become candi
date either for mayor or councilman
by presenting petition to the cit,
clerk signed by twenty-five resident
of the city. His name is then place,
on the primary ballot with the othe
candidates for the same office. Their
is no party designation whatever
Partisan politics plays no part what
ever under the commission plan. A
the primary election each electo
votes for one candidate for mayo
and four candidates for councilmei
The two receiving the highest numbe
OF votes for mayor are declared tn
candidates, and their names go on til
official ballot with no other design;
ton than that they are candidates fc
mayor. The four men receiving til
highest number of votes for council
men are declared the nominees fl
councilmen and go on the official ba
lot in alphabetical order with no OF
er designation than the statemeI
that they, are candidates for councl
men. At the regular election whic
follows the entire electorate aga
determines the selection of city c
ficials Each man votes for one ca
didate for mayor ard for two cand
dates for councilmen. The candida
for mayor receiving the highest nuI
Der of votes for mayor is declare
elected. The two receiving the hig
est number of votes for councilme
are declareu electeu 10 tudt ONCE.
the primary election it is confident
expected that the ablest men and Il
man best fitted for the positions
be filed will be named; at the reg
lar election, as the result of st
further sitting, the best men, L
men who will give the city the be
possible government. will in all pro
ability be elected. In case mistal
is made the people have 1t in the
power at any time to recall an unwi
choice and make new one. All the'
things make for good government al
are possible only under the commi
don plan.