Norwich bulletin., 1910-11-24

to men as they actually are and not as they ought to be, so that all legisla- ton may be effective; and it was with this ill mind that the commission worked constantly They first labored and discovered actual conditions and then in various ways these commits sloners worked to ascertain just what me people wanted. Briefly the speak CT toid of the methods pursued, and pointed out few of the most import ant demands the people had made, all or Which were incorporated in their findings
 Concerning the Recall.
 MT. Cary considered the several ob- ]eotlons that had been hurled against certain of their recommendations, and answered them in a thoroughly con- Vlncing manner. In discussing the mat ter of recall, that has been argued so Venemently he read an extract from letter he had recently received, bearing on thls point. from Arthur H. Grant, editor of The American City. That portion concerning this special oues- tion follows:
 Conversations whichT have had with intelligent citizens in cities where the commission form of government is in operation indicate that they regard the recall of elective officials as so dangerous a weapon that it should on- ly be provided in case it's use is very carefully safeguarded. In providing that a recall election shall be held on Ire request of 20 per cent. of the vote cast at the last preceding erection, you are making this weapon too easy or use, Tor 1t would be quite Etssible TOT small minority of the citizens 10 l,eer q city embroiIed in recall cleo tionis by attacking first one and then anGtner of the elective officials in this way. when you consider how often an ofncaal Is called to perform acts which. because of lack of thorough understanding on the part of many of the voters, are exceedingly unpopular. you will realize that to make the re- call so easy it would be to place a great temptation in the way of office holders to regard the popular clamor rather than the welfare of the city. May 1 recall to your mind the popular dlsapproval which greeted the treaty John Jay made with Great Britain and the fact that it terminated his political career although it probably saved the life of the republic and aft CT a sufficient time has expired was recognized to be an act of the highest statesmanship. have talked with men who were living during the period of our civil war and they told me that there were times when, if the recall had been available, Abraham Lincoln would have been undoubtedly recalled. There are plenty of other cases in our national and state histories where of- ficials have done things that were for the time being exceedingly unpopular, but which proved to have been for the highest interests of the public.
 T should say therefore, that the percentage required to bring about a recall election should be materially in- creased, and that some provision should be made protecting an officer from second attack of this sort within a reasonable period after a re- call election had taken place.
 MT. Cary then gave short history of the growth of the commission form of government, mentioned the success it had met with, told of the ends it had in view in this city and cited sew eral of it's important provisions. In conclusion, he stated that he had giv- en the subject much careful thought and felt that he had a fair understand ing of the matter and would be more than pleased to explain the proposed city charter whenever opportunity was given him.
 Generous applause attested the au- dience's appreciation of MT. Cary's exposition. and before the meeting ad- journed a rising vote of thanks was given him.