The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-04-07


people are primarily concerned. AS
nearly as possible ne give the people
an opportunity to select their repre-
sentataves- We concentrate the re-
sponsibility upon these representa-
tiyes: we keep tkem in the public eye;
NE hold them res onsible to the pao-
pie for their action. At all times the
people are clothed with the weapons
to see that their pubnc servants do
them justice. The initiative and refer
endunl, 1t seems to me, are almost
vital 10 the success of the plan.
In Kansas. the legislature of that
state little over a year ago enacted
the Galveston system. But they failed
to consider the fact that the people
distrust Irresponsible bodies and they
did not provide for these checks and
balances which gave the people full
power and authority. The measure
has proved unpopular in the city of
Leayenworth and Kansas City reject
ed il The probability is that the ccm-
ing legislature viii enact the pro-
! tective feature of the Iowa law. There
is a movement on foot in Kansas City
to induce the Missouri legislature 10
adopt the Des Mosnes Plan system, as
nearly as MAY be. under the constitl-
tional restrictions. The leading citi-
zens there have become deeply inter
ested and they hope to arouse public
opinion TO such an extent as 10 in
l., ~
opportunity TO try the system.
The recall system was taken from the
charter Of the city of Los Angeles.
Many changes. however. NAV be
suggested for the perfection of the
measure in detail. 1t is not presented
by its advocates as a panacea for all
municipal ills In the preliminary con
test over the adoption of the system
in the city OF Des Moines certain OBJ
jections were raised thereto, among
which are the following:
1st The system involves too great
concentration of power. The friend;
OF the measure met the criticism BY
insisting that city government in ef
feet involved z buainess problem. ant
that concentration of lower was abso
lutely essential to prompt decisive
and intelligent action. Recognizing
the fact that by concentrating powe
upon limited body abuses of powe
might result, the referendum and in
itiative were adopted to prevent thes
abuses The recall was adopted to en-
able the city TO get rid of obnoxiou
5 councilmen.
! End. Il was also urged that the VI
e ion of executive. legislative and jud
5 cfal powers in the same body was
It dangerous innovation. The friends {
J. the measure met the criticism by til
s claim that municipal admiristratio
7. was clearly distinguished in its very nj
/, ture from state and national govern
" ment. The system was designed to s.
l. cure q small and effective body of pul
n lie men upon whom the duty of supe
3. vising and directing all of the depar
IS ments of the municipality could be in
* posed and who should appoint and al
e through representatives
10 Ord The ward system was elaine
,r by the opponents of the measure to
% essential to the preservation of frs
government This argument was UT
ed with great vigor. but was met
the friends of the measure with Il
claim that by restricting the votes
ne the people to the election of ward {
IN dermen they were given but fra
ne mentary interest in their city COVER
ment whereas by providing for Il
election of the council at large ea'
&c voter would have voice in the enti
sy city government
ne 4th The appointiye power v
al likewise assailed, the claim beil
made that clerical officers, such
treasurer, auditor and the legal a.
IS judicial Offices. should be controlled
40 a popular vote. The friends OF I
m measure met this crit.sism with t
lie. claim that the FIVE councilmen bel
thoroughly advised Of the necessiti
of the municipality were more CONF
at tent to pass upon the qualifications
ay candidates for clerical positions.
IL even for the judicial and legal 20
ar SlOnSs tEan LIZ Npeel ; tAcAA'04' = =
Of that under the cumbrous system
electing for terms of Office. incoml
tent men might be elected who COZ
only be removed b. impeaeirne
mt wnile under the system proposed
il capable and unworthy men. could be
~. moved In effect the measure folio
- the analogy of the business co-po
ton, concentrates respon sibility VI
the council and holds them indiYi
ally and collectively accountable
their acts.
the plan Of government herein
~. cussed has been adopted By the cit
- of Des Moines and Cedar Rapids,
=, has been rejected b. Sioux City
- the two former cities new ofTici
were inaugurated April ]. 1908,
=. the Law has been operative over IN
months. The general consensus
opinion IS that the system has b
=. very satisfactory Public officials
ne Trained from attempting TO influe
- --s--a-- a-d ha<s bG1u =