The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1909-03-05
GIVE VIEWS OF PLAN
WHAT THE LADIES THINK OF
NEW DES MONIES SYSTEM.
With One Accord They Favor Com
mission Form of Municipal Govern
ment Over the Old Style; Express
sions of Opinion From Mankato
Women.


day, and one that is occupying the Sc
rious consideration of very many Man
kato citizens; particularly is this true
of the women of the city, who are
showing not only a vital interest but
also wonderful amount of detail
knowledge that is not second to the
information which the men have ac-
quiref on this subject. The women are
keenly alert to the situation of muni
cipal government that confronts the
city at this time.
No one has refused to give his or
her opinions, knowing that it would be
benefit to the cause. So kindly has
the response been, both from the men
and women, that it is with regret
that time has not been permitted for
more opinions that would go before
the reading public and so help along
the good cause.
Many People Are UNIFORMED
Notwithstanding the fact that the
newspapers all over the country are
filled with matter on the commission
plan, it is still not uncommon to find
some one who is totally unaware of
what the term commission plan means
and what large factor it is going
to be in the municipal world. The
newspapers are aiming TO educate the
public. Something is needed to arouse
public spirit and civic interest which
seems TO be sadly lacking as a whole.
If information along these lines is
what is needed the newspapers are do
ing their share. There are many in
dividually who are aroused to the
great need of the city but we are in
need of progress along public spirited
avenues. 1t is to be hoped that the
interest in municipal affairs that is
.uppermost i'm the minds of many men
and women in this city may be furth-
erred to such an extent that active
measures may be brought about that
viii bring the immediate benefit and
,eerainRAtheai ssue of the Galveston-Des
Moines commission plan.
Success Elsewhere.
The following interviews were OBJ
tanned from the ladies':
Mrs. c. H. Cooper, wife of the pres
ident of the normal: IF we were
about to initiate new and untried
plan of government in our city, we
might well hesitate; but we have ony
to read of the success of the commits
sion plan where it has been tried to
be convinced of its sanity. a house
divided against itself cannot stand
so a city government in which ire
spOnsible officials are often at variance
with the mayor and with one another
cannot bring about the best results.
The requisite number of paid officials
who would be responsible for definite
work and to whom the results, whether
good or bad, could be traced, would put
the government of the city on a bust
ness basis and much money would be
saved year by year. With the addi
and the recall to protect the people
the commission plan seems to carry
out for our cities Lincoln's ideal for
the country-a government OF the peo-
Pile, by the people and for the people"
Mrs. j. II. James: 81 am interested
in the Galveston-Des Mones movement
for good municipal government. No one
should or could have greater interest
in the government of the city i'm which
she lives than the hOmemaker and any
movement that has for its object the
better administration of affairs should
have her heartiest cooperation in ev-
cry thing that she, as a non-voter can
render it. / should be glad to see the
experiment made in Mankato."
Believes in the System.
Mrs. b. ID. Smith of the MankatO
board of education: II believe heartily
in this new system of government for
Mankato. As it has been successful
elsewhere it certainly should be here
if managed in the same way. The
plan of eliminating politics is also
great step in the right direction, as
man would not then be elected because
of his political party, but because of
his efficiency and capabilities. The Civ
ing of special attention to the division
of labor in city affairs will mean more
careful supervision of each department.
The fixed responsibility is another inn
portant part of the commission plan
and if salaries are paid it will neces-
sarily mean more efficient men as the
heads of the different commissions"
Business-Like Methods.
Mrs. j. S. Young said that the con-
else and business-like methods employ
ed in the Galveston and Des Moines
system of municipal governments APP
peal not only to the men of the COM
munity, but to the women, as WELL
If a city grossly mismanages its af-
fairs the results fall as heavily on the
women as on the men, especially is
this true of the department of health ,
and morals. If by adopting the Gal
weston form of government, political
corruption can be practically eliminated
and non partisan elections substituted,
surely every fair minded citizen of any
city would welcome an opportunity to