The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-05-17
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Colorado Springs Abolishes Ward
System and Eliminates Party Poll
tics-0nly Five Officers Elective.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Col, May IL.
Colorado Springs has just adopted
by an overwhelming vote the commits
sion form of government under a char
ter which abolished the ward system.
eliminates party politics. provides the
recall, initiative and referendum. and
| places ample restrictions around the
granting OF franchises. The charter
Is probably the most liberal adopted
| by any American municipality. because
OF the fact that the legislature gives
cities free rein in making their
charters. Colorado Springs is the
first Colorado city to adopt the com
mission form. although Grand June
ton. Pueblo and other cities are now
taking steps to that end. The charter
comes as the result OF movement
advocated by the press and backed
by the Chamber OF Commerce and
other civic bodies. The instrument
was drawn by Il representative citi-
zens. nominated by a joint committee
from the civic organizations. The
first election under the new charter
will be held Tuesday. July ..
In many respects the charter is re.
markable. The only elective officers
are the mayor and four councilmen,
who compose the council in which the
powers OF the city are vested. Re-
sponsibility is fixed by the creation
OF five departments, at the head or
each OF which is one member. The
departments are Water and water
works, governed by the mayor
finance; public health and sanitation;
public works and property. and pub
lie safety. Provision Is made To put
the water system on a self-sustaining
basis. The mayor receives $4,000 sal
airy and the councilmen $4,000.
The most radical measures perhaps
are in regard TO elections, the idea
being to eliminate all factional con-
troll. Nominations are made by the
filing OF % individual certificates, the
signer- eaeh-of- which, as we'll as
the 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 shall be in
dicative of the source of the candi
dacy or of the support of candidate.
No ballot shall have printed thereon
any party or political design or mark,
and there shall not be appended TO
the name of any candidate any such
party or political designation or mark
or anything indicating his views or
opinions
majority OF all votes cast is re
CURED. In ease no one receives a
majority a second election IS TO be-
held. Except for invalids. no car
riages are allowed on election day.
No franchise may be granted except
on vote OF the qualified electors. The
people reserve the right IN regulate
fares and rates, and may license street
cars. meters, poles and similar fix-
lures. The city retains comprehen-
sive control of any franchise affecting
the city's water system. Each cor
poration required make Il de-
tailed annual report The city re
Ceives on all franchises per cent or
tie gross receipts for the first l5
years; per cent for the remainder
Of the term The city may purchase
any public utility. No franchise may
I've granted for a period OF more than
20 years.
On petition OF 80 per cent OF The
qualified electors, an elective ofncer
may be removed from Office through
the recall" The initiative requires
the signatures OF Is per cent and
after these have been obtained the
council has the option OF passing the
proposed ordnance or of submitting
1t &c a vote of the people. The ref
endum works in the same way. I'm
der penalty al = re9oeal, no Official
may receive free service from cor
poratIon. A civil service commission
IL authorized TO provide for placing
the fire. police and public works EN-
ployes under civil service. Other EN-
FIoyes are appointed by the mayor
upon recommendation OF the council
men. The levy is limited to 20 miles
and the bonded Indebtedness to 3 per
cent of the total valuation, excepting
for the purchase OF profit-yielding pub
lie utilities. One section makes 1t
obligatory OIL all physicians to report
infectious. contagious or commun-
icable diseases, and the department
of public health is authorized to re
ouire such means as IT deems wise Tor
protection.