Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-01-31
Answers Orphan Dodger


The City clubs amendment commit
tee finds an anonymous dodger that is
being distributed by the enemies of the
amendments. The league disposes of
the dodger in this wise:
An anonymous dodger is IN circulation op-
posing charter amendments Nos. 2 and 4.
Election Of councilmen at large, it says,
''means that only political party be
represented" 1t won't be a question of po-
litical parties alone if we nave direct pri-
maries. party will have to put up good
men in order to be represented at all.
IF election at large is desirable continues
the nameless dodger, why not elect legis-
lators and members of congress the same
way?" Because the conditions are different
local against state national Still, the
people could directly chose better legisla-
ture than the average ring-ridden, machine
dominated convention product. They have just
elected a United States senator up in Oregon.
Continues the unfathered circular: IF
amendment No. carries it means that crooked
councilmen cannot be recalled except on petit
ton of one-fourth of all the voters of the city,
while at present councilman can be recalled
by his ward"
1t takes just as long to secure the recall of
a councilman as it would to recall a mayor
or any other official elected at large by the
whole city. The case of Councilman Daven-
port is a sufficient illustration. 1t took weeks
to secure an adequate petition at that time.
1t is more difficult to secure d recall petit
ton the names Of rs per cent of the electors
Of ward than to secure Is per cent of the
portion of names of electors at large are Sc
cured by general effort in the down town and
industrial districts, whereas the ward elector
must be at his place OF business, which
may be far removed from his ward or 1t is
necessary to go after his name at night max
ing the process much harder, longer and more
tedious.
1t is harder to secure the recall of a we'll
intrenched councilman, however Objectionable
he may be, than to secure the recall of an
official chosen at large. 1t would be easy to
quote names in this connection. The objec-
tionable councilmen elected by wards are where
the people a whole cannot get at them
Again: Remember that the graft super
visors in San Francisco We're elected at large"
True, but they were nominated by Abe Ruef
The present board of incorruptible supervisors
In San Francisco also elected at large
Ahe Ruef boards will be impossible with d.
rect primaries.
er, means that the political bosses and cor
porations can and will control all names
printed on the official ballot" Then why are
these same influences opposing this amend
ment so strenuously? 1t ought to be pie for
them If the statement contained in the circular
is true
Amendment No. A." says the circular.
not at ALL Nonsense rhe amendment
abolishes precisely that form Of political bond
age.
IF amendment No. carries" so the orphan
leaf1et declares ut means that Is, 900 minority
party and Independent voters are denied all
right to vote for their officials"
Minority voters will have full expression Of
their choice. The highest two names only win
be placed on the final ballot but those who do
not care to vote for either OF these can record
their choice and vote it in the plank space
duly provided in the official ballot.