Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-11-11
BosTON'S "NON-PARTI,SAN" GOV.
ERIN NIENT,

connection with municipal elections.
We notice. however. that on the very
day following the death blow to tho
influence OF national polite. in NUM-
cipal struggles the boston papers
were busily discussing the possibility
that former Governor Curtis Guild
Jr, might be chosen as the republ
can candidate for the mayoralty ow-
ing to the realization OF republicans
that It would be necessary to pick n
strong candidate to beat ex-Mayor
Fitzgerald. regarded as the inevitable
democratic candidate.
| In the estimation of the TRANSCRIPT.
| Fitzgerald can go out on papers and
get. among his former supporters and
defenders, the largest number of names
Of any democrat for mayor. Mr.. Jo-
seph II. O'Neil who would have the sup
port for mayor Of much better people,
had one contest with Fitzgerald in
the old ninth congressional district.
| and would be wary about testing
strength with him again since Fitz-
gerald can now bluff O'Neil out of
| the race.
According to the same authority.
Boston has two citizens who might
enter the lists with prospect OF sue
cess. Mr.. Guild being one and former
! Governor ]. l. Bates the other. Both
have taken a large degree of interest
in municipal! matters, both are popu
lar and either would make splendid
mayor.
This Is probably as far as the non
for the present; but in the meantime
the system which was to do away
with the influence OF national party
lines and the party bosses will re-
main. 1t is rather necessary. there
for. to gain some idea of the system
unda: which the Hub will hereafter,
az least temporarily. conduct its
municipal elections.
Two forms of charter were sub
mitted to the voters of Boston. and
that known as Plan No. was adopt
cd by substantial majority. though
IL was opposed by the bosses of both
political parties This plan, which
was formulated by the finance COM
mission, Is formed wholly on the con-
ception Of the city as a corporation
tina: exists to administer public af-
fairs in the interest Of the public ana
it pays no attention to political par
ties. 1t is the most radical departure,
therefore, made by any city Of thu
size and traditions of Boston. This
plan provides for nominations by pc
tition, allows no party designation on
the ballots, gives the mayor g four
years term and makes the city coun-
ell consist Of nine members elected at
large, three to be chosen each year,
the term being three years. Under
certain conditions a mayor may be re-
moved at the end Of two years by n
ms jority vote at a city election.
In other words national political
party organizations may disappear
from the municipal elections, except
as they may operate without prim-
aries. conventions or designations on
nomination papers. Nomination pa
papers, already printed must be de-
livered to those who seek them. The
quest for signatures has already be-
gun, both in behalf of mayora can
, didacies and in behalf Of candidates
for the city council.
The new plan compels every candi
, date for mayor. the city council. an'
q the school board. to obtain the sig
3 natures Of 5000 qualified voters OF
his nomination papers
By the terms Of the new charte
Q nomination papers FOR the city cleo
g ton were delivered beginning witt
, last Tuesday. They must be hleC
, with the Board Of Election Comims
y sioners not later than five o'clock OF
e December II. Certifcation OF nom
~ nation papers must be completed no
IT 81 Withdrawals and objections mus
- be made not later than Ave oclocl
on December 2s. Substitutions mus
be made not later than i've o'cloci
e on December 80.
l. The municipal election will tax
r place on Tuesday, January H. 1910.
T. The new Boston charter aocordin
Id to the Springfield Republican provide
~ essentially a commission form of gov
Or eminent. tho plan differing from tina
l. adopted by Galveston. Des Moine'
t. HaverhiIl and other cities chiefly 1
60 providing more numerous body @
er councillors or commissioners. The oil
form OF municipal government ha
at been pretty completely cast asid
r Both the two-chamber council and
IS numerous one chamber body disap
We pear. Legislative and Administrative
CO functions are practically merged In
CHI single and comparatively small bod
r. Outside party lines cannot be draw
except below tho surface and thei
OF only wilh great dificulty; and tn
rk graf difllculty is testified to by II
H. strenuous opposition Of the bosses al