Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1909-05-23
Abuaueraue. MAY q. 1909

ise made you a few days ago that !
would tell your readers the experience
Of the city Of Corning. New York my
former home, with what Is practi-
cally commission government ] be-
llievc this experience Is especially yalu-
able. because in size, wealth, physical
situation and character Of It's people,
Corning much resembles Albuquerque.
ana hence offers a better comparison
than does Galveston. Des Moines or
The other larger cities that have adopt
ed the commission form
Corning Is built half on o hillside
sloping sharply to the river, n hall
on lowlands on the opposite n
that in former times were subject to
f~fequent ovcrflows. Its assessment
ron for taxing purposes aggregates
about $i.500,0OO. Its leading citizens
are progressive and public-spirited,
taking moro than an ordinary inter-
est in its government and affairs Its
municipal officers have almost always
been men above the average In abil-
itv and integrity. 1t was an incor-
porated village for many years prior
| to 1902. when it was given a city char
tier. under which It's government a
Ilf inc HAlu~ Of a itaFRi tAN ~"
eli of ten members, two chosen from
each ward The mayor was elected
hiennially and one councilman from
each ward annually for two years
term. The subordinate officers We're
| chosen BY the mayor, subject 10 the
approval of the council, Tho uilIef-
cnt divisions of public worbks, streets
aowers, sidewalks, etc. were each IN
direct charge Of a separate council
committee.
In All substantial respects it was
the same as our present city govern
ment.
For several years prior to 1905, the
city spent for municipal purposes, APP
rroximately 500. 000 per year, the limit
Permitted by It's charter, and near the
end of that time had to seek leglsia-
the permission for "a bono issue OF
$4,000 to cover an accumulated de-
felt. It had less than a mile of street
ravoments. which had been laid while
II was still a village. A block IN the
l|center of tho -ity originally donated
"a sa public park, was even more un-
kempt and unsightly than our own
Highland park. The hillside streets
we're periodically cut. torn and rem
dered almost Impossible by storm vat
crs. whilo the sewers We're being clog
gcd by the material swept into them.
A creek running down the hillside
yearly left it's banks and inflicted scrl-
Gus damage on adjoining streets n
property. Sidewalks and street cross
walks were Of every conceivable ma
terial. mostly OF wood, though each
owner chose his own materials.
The political city government a
built a city hall for which 1t had bond
ed the city. but left no other substan-
tial monument to its memory.
Two great works had been con-
structcd during this period-a dupli-
cate sewer system. sanitary and storm
water and also "a system OF dykes up
ward Of five miles in length for the
purpose of combining the waters of the
river But cach of these works had
been constructed under the direction
ana supervision of one man, q leading
citizen. at the head OF "A special com
mittoo created by statute for the nN-
press purpose
The board system as illustrated hy-
these two committees had proven $50
Efficient in It's mann,r OF handling the
sewers and dykes. that "a public move
mcnt in favor ot its extension to th,
city's general constructive works ice
gan In 1908. Tho politicians. how
cvcr. were loath 10 surrender Their
control of the city's finances. and a.
.irst defeated the project. I'm 1908 "a
newly elected council prepared and
I had enacted into law. "a special city
charter containing q provision for -
board of public works, to have charge
of the construction. care and manag
mont OF am public works within the
city.
This board was To consist of three
members to bc appointed by the mayor
and confirmed by the council. TO serve
for six years. so adjusted that tn
term of one commissioner would cN
pire after cacn biennial mayoralty
election. and thus prevent the result
OF any ono election from changing tht
personnel Of the board. Not more
than two could belong to the same
political party. and they were 60 Civ,
bond for the faithful performance o.
their duties and serve without pay
They were empowered to select thei'
executive force. including h superin- |
cndont. who was also city engineer |
anu EAANAfNA CIV NNN 1AA' N 4
common council. fiX their compcnsa
ton.
They were required To uhmit c1cf |
wear tn tho council "a statement Of 40 1
work contemplated during the year
with an estimate for each itcm. Tn
council could reduce or reject any
item but could not insert an add
tional one or control the disposition
OF any fund voted. nor could tn,
board divert any appropriation from
its purpose as set forth IN thc cstt
mate.
The council would levy the tax foi
the amount SO adjusted and turn !
over to the board. who were requires
10 report monthly and in detail as &c
It's expenditure
The enemies OF this plan confidently |
predicted that no proper men coul
be induced 20 accept the responsible
ity and labor on such terms. Wher
the time came however. three OF IN
city's leading business men ~consentee
90 accept the places. rhcsc were mei
whose character and standing inspired