The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-10-13
GOVERNMENT BY COMMISSION.

In discussion as to the advisability
| of adopting the commission form of
government for Topeka which was in
dulged in the other night by the mem
bers of the Mems Brotherhood of the
Third Presbyterian church, Mr.. j. c..
Alexander took the floor in opposition
to the proposition. He stated his OBJ
jections forcibly and is to be congratu-
lated for doing SO. Nothing is quite so
essential to the proper settlement of
any question, especially one of such
vital Importance to a city as the COM
mission system OF government, as a full
and free debate of it and particularly
the airing of the negative side. Nor is
any man to be criticized for taking d
place with the opposition. Rather
should he be thanked for providing
points for a tangible discussion.
Mr.. Alexander believes that the conf
mission plan OF government would open
the door to easy grating on the part
of the commissioners if they were 20
disposed. lie thinks that it would be
easier for a corporation to influence
five commissioners than it would be for
l. to accomplish it's purposes by impro-
per methods with a council of II men
and an executive authority, a mayor.
to check over their work. This is a
plausible argument. But it would seem
that it might be answered effectively.
Corporations get all of their important
favors from municipalities through ouch
franchises as are granted them Under
the present plan these franchises are
given without any compensation from
the company by an ordinance passing
the council and receiving the approval
oe the mayor Many times franchises
of this sort have been granted by coun-
ellis against the wishes and the direct
interests Of the people. Under the COM
mission form of government no fran
chise can be given unless the corpora
ton getting it gives adequate COM
rensation 10 the city for the rights It
is accorded, and then only after the
people of the city by their votes have
given their consent to the award Of
the franchise.
1t is Mr.. Alexander's belief that much
has been accomplished in Topeka I'M
der the present form OF government.
This is conceded. There are few. if
any better governed cities in the Uni
ted States. He thinks more would have
been done and more would be possible
under the present form of government
if as much power was placed in the
hands of the council and the mayor
as 1t is proposed to give to the COM
Possibly. But the effective
use of power is weakened when It is
divided up among many men, none of
whom is really responsible to the peo- |
pie during the term of his office. |
One good boss is better on a job than |
a dozen equally capable men, because
each of them is apt to have an idea
of his own as to how a thing should |
be accomplished. Conflicting opinions |
of this sort, especially in the admins |
tration of a city's affairs, make for |
delays in bringing anything |
about and then it is generally done
through a compromise which is usually |
lacking in strength. Great and specific |
powers are given to a city's rulers I'M
der a commission plan but they are re-
sponsible to the people all the time and |
can be recalled from Office at any time |
If their labors are not satisfactory to
the people