The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-07-16
Those Who Were Circulating
Petitions Called In.
FACTS ARE COMPILED.
Statement About New Govern
ment Plan For Cities.
Why 1t Is Preferable to the Old
System.

AAC lAiOAhRGAS VI Tic 4GSlSldLlRC COill-
mittee Of the Commercial club began
the circulation of petitions for the COM
mission form of city government
Thursday afternoon. 1t was found that
without exceptions the women of the
city did not understand the difference
between the commission form of gov
ernment and the council form at pres
ent In vogue, and many of the men
likewise were not familiar with the
former system 1t was deemed necea-
Sary therefore, in order that the peti-
ton might be signed with some degree
OF intelligence, that the petition circu-
iators be called in until a. full explana-
ton could be published by the local
press.
The women of the city do not seem to
fully understand that they will be al
lowed to sign the petitions. and if the
commission form of rule finally holds
sway they will be given an opportunity
to vote on municipal affairs
Tomorrow as they leave the Offices
the Santa Fe employees will have the
petition presented to them to sign and
on Monday next the Santa Fe shops
Will be reached.
For three or four days next week
petitions will be placed in stores and
other convenient places throughout tie
residence districts in order that the
ladies and those who will find it incon-
venient to make a trip down town viii
have chance to sign the petition.
The places where these petitions may
be found will be published in the
State Journal at a later date.
How It Works.
The following article on the commits
sion form of city government has been
prepared Ey Mr.. George Badders, sec
retary of the Commercial club:
Under the present council form of
government, we have a mayor, elected
every two years, and u cOuncilmen,
two from each ward in the city, one
all A-1 aaT-r
held once or twice each month. Also
Under the present plan the city clerk
city attorney, city treasurer, and police
judge are elected every two years. All
other employees are appointed by the
mayor and council
Under the commission form of gov
eminent all offices are appOintiVe except
that of mayor and four commissioners
who are nominated at a nonpolftical
and nonpartisan primary held the Mon
day preceding election day. Any per
son desiring to be q candidate for
mayor or commissioner, must file a, pc
tition, signed by % voters, requesting
such candidacy, at least ten days be-
fore election.
From the number of candidates at
the primary, the two highest for mayor,
and the eight highest for commission
ers are voted on at the general cleo
ton.
1.-The mayor shall devote his entire
time, and the commissioners so much
OF their time as is necessary to con-
Quoting the affairs of the city. and shall
receive for their services, the mayor
not to exceed $1,000 per annum and
each commissioner not to exceed $500
per annum-
''The mayor and commissioners
shall appoint three civil service com
rnissiOners, who shall pass on all can
didates for positions under the city
government None of these commits
sfoners shall hold any other public Of
flee, and they may be removed at any
time by the city commissioners.
-'The mayor and commissioners
shall fill ali appointive Offices with
those who have passed civil service ex-
aminations, and whose names have
been presented to them by the three
civil service commissioners above
mentioned.
with reference to their qualifications
and fitness, and without reference to
their political faith or affiliations.
1.-The mayor shall be commissioner
of the fire and police department. one
commissioner shall look after the
finances and revenue, one look after
the waterworks and street lighting,
one the streets and public improve
ments, and the fourth after the parks
and all other public property.
Each commissioner approves. and
is responsible for, all claims, and ac-
counts under his department, and be
fore payment is made, they must be
approved by at least one other COM
missioner
1.-The mayor and each commission
er shall give a bond in the sum of
$4,000 for the faithful performance
of his duties and the mayor or all of
the commissioners may be removed
from Office by petition of % per cent
of the electors voting at the last cleo
ton. If 25 per cent of the electors
voting at last election submit an or
dinance to this commissioners they
shall pass the same or call a special
election and submit the ordinance to
the vote of the people. An ordinance
passed by the people can only be re-
pealed by them
A summary Of the differences in the
forms of city government follows:
Under the present council form of
government meetings are held only one |
or two evenings a. month. Under the |
commission plan, a meeting may be |
called at any time during the day as |
the commissioners are always at their !
Offices This enables a party to get
ah immediate answer on any matter n : |
wishes to present to the city. and does
away with weeks and months of an |
noying ana cumbersome committee |
work.
Under the present plan. counciImen |
are not paid sufficiently for their SER |
svices. hence natural lack of interest |
Under the commission plan commissions
erS are paid for +heir entire time and |
are supposed to devote practically their |
entire time to the business of the city /
Under the present form, many un-
desirable and unfit employees are hired /
because of their political pull. Under /
the commission all employees must pass
a civil service examination which in
sures efficient and fit employees
''Ifnder the present plan the mayor
and councilmen are not under bond and /
It IS difficult to remove them from Of
ace. Under the commission plan theyl