The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1909-04-02
FOLK LIKE THE PLAN
COMMISSION SYSTEM GROWING In
FAVOR WITH PEOPLE.
Lieutenant Governor Eberhart Expresses
Himself Relative to the Bill Pre-
pared for Mankato BY Attorney
c. O. Daley and introduced in
the Senate BY S. d. Works; Others
Give Their Opinion of Measure.

1T is a matter of astonisllmcnt to
me how quickly sentiment is develop
ing in favor of the commission form of
government for cities" said Lieutenant
Governor A. o. Ebcrhart to The st.
Paul Dis patch "Thcre is no question
in my mind that the new plan is the
proper one for city government. In
every town where it has been discussed
popular opinion has strongly leaned to
the new system.
Gives More Liberty
"One question about the present bill
of Senator s. ID. Works arises from
the fact that the home rule law al
lows municipalities all liberty which
is sanctioned by the constitution. Does
the bill add anything that is not al
ready permitted?
"As Il special anabling bill, however
it will have strong educational value
and will put the question squarely be-
fore the charter commissions of cities
which have them.
NO one doubts the merits of the
Galveston plan. The only question
that has been raised is as to whether
the cities are prepared for it,
Denial BY Smith.
Senator E. +. Smith. of Minneapolis
laughed long and loud when he was
asked by Dispatch representative
whether he had presented his bill for
the imposition of the Galveston plan
upon the three large cities of the state
in order to kill the movement for re-
form by making it too drastic.
That's one of Jim Haynes Jokes
he said "He spread that report to
weaken the arguments i'll favor of the
bill. OF course Jim is opposed to the
adoption of the bill.
''No, my boy. was quite in earnest
when / brought in that bill. If | had
been opposed to the change, | would
certainly have held my peace. What
would be the object in bringin. "a child
into the world to kill it?
Has Watched It's Operation.
81 have been watching the operation
of the experiment in the way of city
government ever since it was begun
and | believe it is great success.
| would like to see it adopted in I'LL three
of the big cities of the state, There
as been some talk that the cities al
ready possess this power, but
! thought not. I thought then, as now
| that law specifically comforting the
! option to cities to adopt the new plan
| is necessary.
"When the Works bill comes up fol
consideration, shall myself offer an
amendment making it apply to all the
cities of the state over 10000 popu
lation. | am heartily in favor of the
! new plan. You cannot be too strong
OH this point"
Robinson Opposes Plan.
| Some of the smaller cities are also
calling out to have the Works bill sc
amended as to include them in its
scope.
while not personally in favor OF
the adoption of the Galveston plan OF
city government" said Senator J. f.
| c. Robinson. "my constituents are call
ing loudly for it. Most of the people
of ST. Cloud are enthusiastic in its
favor and | am bound to get it fol
them, if | can, regardless of my per
sonal leanings. | will introduce ar
amendment to the Works bill to in
elude cities of over 5000 population"