The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1909-07-13
POLITICIANS, OF COURSE,
OPPOSED THE PLAN
But The People SHOWED Them
Under al an Election
July First

iolcing in KeOkuk over the fact that
the commission plan or government
has been adopted by the city, to 80
into effect in April Of next year The
plan was adopted at a special elec-
tion. held July l. when a landslide
Of votes was cast for the plan. The
vote was 2.ll9 for the plan and $50
against it. a majority Of 1850.
The movement for the change In
government started here almost i'm
meiiately aiter the state legislature
amended the statutes permitting
cities OF 1000 10 adopt the plan. Be
fore the last session of the legisla
.ure a population Of $4,000 was nee
essary. When the laws We're revised
giving Keokuk an opportunity 20
,ome in. there was an almost unani-
nous feeling among the best class
II citizens. the business and pro
fessional men, that here was an OPP
oortunity which this city should not
neglect.
The people had become weary Of
politics. Al the last election the
nator received a majority of three
fotes and contest for the Office
sqrted This had a gocd deal % do
With the sentiment for the people
we're becoming tired OF the Ions
irawn Ous contest The administra-
ion OF the city was not pleasing 20
he people and the members OF both
larties desired n change.
'ollties Made the People Dissatisfied
Las, year the city had a Republic
IN MAYOR. Democratic city marshal
aud tvelve aldermen. seven Demo
rats and five Republicans After
he spring election. there was a Den.
cratic MAYOR, a Republican city mar
hal and the council IS now six and
tx This state OF affairs with the
hief officials Of different parties and
9TH working against each other az
very opportunity worked noi well
or the city and there was a desire
1mong the taxpayers 70 set cut of
he political tangle
L cannot be said thar conditions
we're alarming. but there was enough
friction and lack OF harmony and
feeling OF impending trouble to make
he people dissatisfied
A few leading members Of both
1arties found that the commission
Ian OF government was becoming
oopular topic of conversation and
when they learned that nearly every
business man was I'm favor of it some
Y them formed q central committee
nd called a meeting of about thirty
'itigens. Ever one present was I'm
aver of che plan and other meetings
were held
Nayor Mathis 81 bes Nolues. and
: sherman. commissioner from
'eiar Ranijs were invited here 10
neak and the opera house was
rowiei The newspapers indorsed
he plan and published columns Of
Information and news regarline &c.
hore Votes Than Ever Cast Before.
A petition was nrenared and the
eauired number az signers was Oh
aimed hy committees appointed III
mass meeting This petition was
'erved on The mayor and he ordered
snecial election for 1ulv
What little opposition there was
o The pan. came from a few prac.
ieai politicians. bur election day
hey had given MP Mere votes were
aSt fer the plan than ever were cast
keokuk for any candidate
The council mcf fhe Tuesday night
fta- election until after midnigAt
of into q number of SIN wrane'es
nj one alderman resigned I'm 4 hun
'nt the citizens are M. worr,iur
rer G They merely smile and saw
Nai' untl next April
h