The Caucasian., 1910-07-31

bond issues, ETC., ana MOST hOeiai = =
its provisions to safeguard the pubic
health, life, liberty and the pursuit @
happiness, etc. Matters very essef1tia
to a sound and conservative body poll
tic.
Municipal Police Powers also
seem to be i1nmeasurable within =
strunent. but subject to revie.
ever overstepping the bill OF rig
its mandates.
The hint that four commlss1C
would be a form of autocratlc govern
ment is cOntroverted and annihllated by
the checks, balances and restraints upor
the exercise of power that IS reserved
to a vigilant constituency by the init
ative. referendum and recall. 1t may
be said that the nearest approach to an
autocracy in our State affairs resides III
the extraordinary discretion given tc
our State Board of Health to enable 1t
to guard against epidemical troubles and
stamp out infectious or contagious dis
eases. Their powers are also extended
in a supervisory way to all subordinate
boards scattered throughout the various
political subdivisions of our State.
Everywhere it is claimed the comms-
sion form of government seems to wild
en- the scope for rapid municipal pro-
gress and quickly responsive to all nee
cesities that may arise. Paid commits
sioners dare not "soger" or go to sleep
at the Switch" hence the active per-
sonal and practical supervision of pub
lie work inspires confidence in the mea-
sure of value to be obtained out of the
public revenues. There can be no rea
sonable objection to giving the voters
and tax payers a dominant guardian
ship over their purse strings in
all important new matters that has
its initiative or inception with the COM
missioners. The right to have them
submitted to a popular vote is the true
way. While the granting of
and extension of same for
public utilities is compulsory before
they gain legal status.
Providing by petition for the recall
of a dishonest, incompetent, neglectful or
obnoxious official, is only open to a
remote chance for abuse through par
.izan frenzy, otherwise should be
exercised when necessary.
But the incumbent named must again
appear on the ticket for continuance in
office unless he wills otherwise.
A calm and unbiased review of these
admirable features will convince any
student of governmental affairs inbued
With the spirit and purposes of laws,
hat the act is leavened with the essence
If true democracy evolved from the
experience of time, and now p1ac-
d at our disposal through the patri-
tic and honest efforts of ore of our
Ugh minded legislative members, anself-
silly aided by his co-menbers, primari-
Y backed by some of our most worthy |
,itizens who have nothing more at |
leart than the public welfare, and the |
leasure it will give them to have our
ity properly governed.
Having been in public life so long | |
eem it inappropriate to person
lily solicit support or to seek pledges.
method that may be excusable in
theirs, but I believe the voters should
emain untrammeled; for there is no
ian SO good that better one may not
rise, SO | hope no one will feel in the
'ast sighted if | do not appear to make
ne customary strenuous efforts to
harm the voters.
beg to extend my heartfelt thanks
} those who have been so courteous1v
rgent in irnportuning me to become
and will feel the same TO- /
ards any others who may generously
nd sincerely proffer or give me their
1pport, or who may take an encourap-
'g interest in the issue.
| entered the Mayors office in 1873.