The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-11-11
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ability to handle the problems which
confronted them. He didn't think the
ability to bring order out of chaos
was among them. He didn't believe
board of aldermen elected by the
people, without reference to con-
ditions sucn as now exist, was in a
position to cope with the question
He heartily favored having the ell
tire council resign, and then have the
governor. or some other legally consti-
tuted authority, appoint a commission
of three or five men to take charge
OF affairs, and discharge every man
in the employ of the city, then max
ing new deal and employing only
such men as Were absolutely neces-
sary to run the establishment. If the
council attempted to run the city it.
self, 1t would have to divide the police
and fire departments and other de-
partments by two, three, four and
even five; it would be necessary to
abolish every clerkship, abolish the
salaries of the mayor and aldermen,
and reduce the wages and members
OF employees to the minimum. He
didn't believe q board, elected as this
council had been. and with the differ
ences which had existed amongst the
members. could cope with the ques-
very much desired that the city go
i~$@ IL, 1S
have its affairs administered by such
commission for a period Of II or ii
months. If this course is not pursued
it would be necessary for the council
to stop paying revenues into the sink
ing funds, unless help is gotten from
some outside source. If more money
than is now in sight is not secured,
and If the city failed to meet it's fixed
charges, a receivership would follow,
condition many people had wished
for during the past four or five years.
This crisis might lead to a merging
Of the city and county governments,
and he did not think there was a
member of the council who would
stand in the way of this end being
accomplished. If the members of the
council, by resigning. could place the
city on its feet quicker, it was their
duty to resign.
LAS stated in that address, the pub
lie had lost confidence in the city Off
Gals. Hundreds of her people were
leaving the city, and contemplated its
utter abandonment. The leading cit
liens, facing complete disaster to their
interests, called public meeting, at
which the emergency confronting the
city was discussed. This meeting was
taken charge of by committee known
as the Deep Water Committee, compos-
ed of more than 100 of the leading citi-
zens, and which had demonstrated its
right to act for the public through it's
successful work in influencing an ap-
preparation by the national govern
ment for the development of deep
water at the port.
Story Of Texas Cities.
Recognizing the incapacity Of the
committee appointed at this public
meeting. prepared new charter which
was submitted to the legislature of
Texas for ratification. The measure
was almost unanimously sustained by
public sentiment, was endorsed by the
government of the state. and with
practical unanimity enacted into law
by the legislature. 1t provided for
what is known as commission form
of government by five citizens, two Of
whom were to be elected by popular
L., md
two commissioners to be appointed by
the governor. Subsequently the court
of criminal appeals held the appoint
ments void. The court of civil ap-
peals sustained the validity of the acts
in all details. To avoid legal COM
plications the citizens committee Sc
cured a modification of the law, by
amendment, enacted by the General
Assembly, and provided for the cleo
ton of the mayor and four commits
sioners by popular vote. The system
was inaugurated, the credit Of the city
restored. public improvements under
taken upon a business basis, the credit
of the city raised to a very high stand
ard individual confidence in the future
of the place returned, and in every re-
spect the new play of government be-
came successful.
Influenced by this experiment:
Houston next adopted the system 18th
slight notifications. Later on the
cities of Dallas. FIT. Worth and Ell Paso
secured similar charters. The move
ment for a simple commission form of
government attracted general atten-
tion throughout the country and steps
were taken in many states looking to-
ward the Inauguration OF the move
ment.
Movement in Des Moines.
The meeting referred to as held i'll
Des Moines on the 18th day of No
vember, 1905, developed a very marE
ed interest on the part Of the leading
business men of the city. Commit
tees were appointed and bill pre-
pared for submission to the General
Assembly of Iowa at its session during
the winter of 1905. The committee
was composed Of myself. Mr.. W. H.
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