The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1909-06-09
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Western Town Adopts Commission Government by Over
whelrnng Vote Some Novel Features.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Col.-Col
orado Springs has just adopted by ;
vote of 3,161 to 268 the commission
form of government, under a charter
which abolishes the ward system
eliminates party politics, provides fol
the recall, initiative and referendum
and places ample restrictions around
the granting of franchises.
The charter is probably the most
liberal ever adopted by any Ameri-
can municipality, because of the
fact that the Legislature gives a free
rein in making their charters. Colo
RADIO Springs is the first city to adopt
the commission form, although
Grand Junction, Pueblo and other
cities are now taking steps to that
end. The instrument was drawn by
twenty-One representative citizens,
nominated by joint committee from
the civic organizations. The first
election under the new charter will
be held July 9Th.
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.
Responsibility is fixed by the crea-
ton of five departments, at the head
of each of which is one member
The departments are: Water and
waterworks, governed by the mayor;
finance, public health and sanitation,
public works and property. Provis-
ion is made to put the water system
on self-sustaining basis and an eff
fort is made to obtain a uniform sys-
tenn of public accounting. The may
or receives a salary of $4,000, the
councilmen $4,000.
The most radical measures, per-
haps, are in regard to elections, the
idea being to eliminate all fractional
control. Nominations are made by
the filing of twenty-five individual
certificates, the signer of each of
which, as well 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
indicative of the source of the can
didacy or the support of the candi-
date: No ballot shall have printed
thereon any party or political design
or mark, and there shall not be ap-
pended to the name of any candi-
date any such party or political des-
lgnation or mark, or anything indi-
eating his views or opinions"
A majority of all votes cast is re-
duired; in case no one receives a
majority a second election is held.
Except for invalids, no carriages are
allowed on election day.
No franchise may be granted ex-
cept on vote of the qualified cleo
tors. The people reserve the right
to regulate fares and rates and NAV
license street cars, meters, poles and
similar fixtures. The city retains
comprehensive oversight of any fran
chise affecting the c.ty's water sys-
tenn. Each corporation is REQUIRED
to make a detailed annual statement
to the city comptroller. The city
receives on all franchises 8 per cent.
of the gross receipts for the first
fifteen years and per cent for the
remainder of their life. The city
may purchase any public utility. No
franchise may be granted for period
of more lnan twenty-five years.
On petition of 80 per cent. Of the
qualified electors an elective officer
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 ordinance or submitting it
to vote of the people The refer
endum works in the same way. I'm
der penalty of removal no official
may receive free service from a cor
poration. A civil service commission
is authorized to provide for placing
the fire, police and public works en-
ployes under civil service. Other
employees are appointed by the mayor
on the recommendation of the coun-
Gil. The tax levy is limited to 20
mills of the total valuation, except
ing for the purchase of profit-yieId-
ing utilities. One section makes it
obligatory on all physicians to re-
port infectious, contagious or COM
municable diseases, and the depart
ment Of public health is authorized
to require such means as it deems
wise for protection.