Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1910-10-30


 lice does not refuse to enforce the
 criminal ordinances of the c.ty and
 give the same excuse for declining to
 do so. Under the Houston system,
 the tax assessor can not arbitrarily
 select what persons he is to exempt
 from the payment of taxes and in. form the city government that the people elected him, and that he is
 responsible to the people only. The
 mayor, under the Houston system, is
 the responsible head Of the govern-
 ment. If things are permitted 10
 go wrong, it is his fault; and if ali.
 official of the city declines to en-. force the law, the mayor can re.
 move him in five minutes time. Under this system of government it
 is important that the people should elect mayor who is q man of good
 sense and good character. When the people have done so. the mayor H;ll
 rot have to be, as under the old sys. tenn, helpless spectator to wantOD
 disregard of law and mal-adminis.
 trati0n. The whole idea of the HoHs- ton system is to have responsible
 head Of the government of the city
 elected by the people.
 l Under the Houston charter the DOW
 or fho ie oh p1..nv vufn As stated before, with the exception 1 of the comptroller and aldermen,
 every employee of the city can be discharged at moments notice by
 the mayor. What is the result of
 this power, as shown in Houstono \ harmonious, systematic corps of em.
 ployees performing their duty, each
 and every one of them working for
 the interest of the city. for if they do not, they know some one else will occupy their places who will do their duty.
 This unusual and great power given one man has been frequently critic sed; some argue that it is un- Democratic, and some argue that it I is dangerous. Answering the first criticism, I will state that nothing can be un-Democratic which comes
 directly from the people and ans- wers directly to the people. The second objection, as to the system being dangerous, I will say that no honest and good man M.ll abuse the power vested in him and bad man should not be elected by a people who wtnt good government.
 Why did the people of Houston ask the legislature of Texas for such a charter, making what some gre ! pleased to call "a cre-man govern
 ment?" Because for years and years. under the old system, they had seen nothing but political bick- cring and their taxes squandered. Debt after debt was being created and nothing to show for the moneys paid into the treasury. At the time of the charter adoption the people Of Houston were in that frame of mind to accept any form or kind. of change in their government, know ing full we'll that they coGld co notA- ing worse than tc continue what they had.
 At the inauguration of the Com mission Government ..n July. 1905, we subdivided the departments of the city and placed at. their respect i've heads the commission who seem- led lest qualified to manage a cer- tain department. and in dong so. gave them each the power and au- thor.ty vested in the mayor. This act has proven most beneficial. As a rule, each commissicner takes deep interest in his department; has 1t well organized, and manages the same as any well-regulated bus ness concern. There is very little friction at any time. While the elective of ficers of the city are all Democrats. belonging to that party which is so dominant in Texas, the comm 'ssion does not confine their employees to any one political patty. but selects men fer their fitness. We have great many good business men in Houston who are Republicans In politics ard pay large taxes to the