The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1909-11-12
SEEKS NEW SYSTEM
BUFFALO, N. Y, NOW WANTS THE
COMMISSION PLAN.
Has Decided to Ask the Next Leg
islature to Enact for It a Charter
Embodying the Features of the
Des Moines Scheme of Municipal
Government; Several New Pro-
posals introduced; What Next?

Buffalo, n. Y, has decided to ask the
next legislature of that state to enact
for it charter embodying the fea-
lures of the "Des Moines plan" of
government.
This was decided upon in an ex-
tremely light vote last Tuesday by a
majority of about three to one.
One feature, unique in commission
plan charters, has been incorporated
into the proposed Buffalo instrument.
Wards will be retained, but not as
election districts for the commission
ers. As in other plans of this sort, the
commissioners will be elected at large.
Ward representatives will be elected to
present, officially, to the city govern
ment matters of local interest to the
wards involved. The ward representa-
tive will be something like territorial
representative in congress, as he will
have the privilege of the floor, but will
not be permitted to vote or to perform
any administrative function.
Agitation Year Ago.
Buffalo began it's agitation for a
commission plan charter about wear
ago. At three consecutive meetings OF
the civic conference of that city, COM
posed of delegates from over twenty
representative business and civic asso-
cations, new charter plan was dis
cussed. A business mems committee
of 100 was formed and signed state
ment favoring a new commission char
ter for Buffalo.
As soon as the movement had gained
Roadway, j. w. Wadsworth, Jr., lust
before his eelction as speaker of the
last New York assembly, served notice
that the legislature would not listen
to such a plan. State Senator Davis,
representing in part Buffalo constit-
uency, took action similar to that of
The inspiration came
from political boss and really gave
impetus to the charter movement.
The charter was speedily approved
by the various business organizations
which were concerned in agitating for
it, and the committee of 100 took steps
to place it before the people. A pc
tition, signed by about 5000 voters,
was prepared. But one newspaper in
Buffalo was friendly to the movement
and it suffered for want of publicity.
The plan of the partisan press was to
ignore it.
Systematic Campaign Is Waged.
As the campaign progressed, the
of 100 grew into the ''Des
Moines Plan Charter association"
Candidates for office were questioned
by this body and put on record for or
against the plan. Ward committees
were formed and systematic cam
paign waged. Speakers from other
cities, familiar with the commission
plan, were brought to Buffalo and
favorable to the plan were
adopted at numerous mass meetings.
Opposition to the charter Jagged, but
want of adequate publicity kept down
general interest, so that the total vote
upon the charter proposition was but
a fraction of the city vote.
ohly a preliminary step mas been
taken. The plan, under the New York
law, must be passed by the legislature,
and there it is likely to meet with op-
position. The game of checkers which
has been going on for more than a
between the "Up-State"
machine and Tammany has resulted in
New York state cities being shorn of
their home rule rights, and nobody
can predict what is to become of the
Buffalo commission charter. The only
thing thus far decided is that the peo-
pie of Buffalo are favorable to it.