The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-01-28
The New City Charter Provisions
Under Which
Topeka Will Be Governed by the
Commission Form.
CLEAR AND READABLE
A Carefully Prepared Abstract
of the Law.
Free From WOrdy, Technical
and Legal Expressions.

There is great interest just now in
the provisions of the Commission form
of government under which Topeka
will soon be conducted.
The charter is long document, in
Guiding the laws of 1907 as amended
slightly in 1908 and more fully in
1909.
These laws are so lengthy that very
few people will ever read them
through.
Jasper H. Moss, former city attor-
ney, has been engaged for some time
in condensing and preparing an alb
stract that will readily show what the
new city charter provides.
The State Journal takes pleasure in
presenting to It's readers this careful
ly prepared and interesting synopsis
covering points that all voters should
be informed upon.
Contrary to a general impression, it
will be seen that the duties of the
mayor are more important than here
tofore. The Office under the new form
is more powerful than under the old.
1t will be noted that the commits
sionerS are to receive a salary of
$500 per year, except the commits
sioner elected as mayor, who will re-
ceive $4,000: that all officers and en-
ployes of the city shall be elected or
affiliations. Any violation of this pro-
vision shall be misdemeanor and a
ground for removal from office No
blood relation of a commissioner can
be appointed to office; the commits
sioners are required to devote six
hours daily to their duties.
Here follows the interesting abstract
made by Mr.. Moss. This article should
be saved, as reference to it will be val
liable to the reader.
F6n oft oh rio IxrI7i
the city commission must work. Chap
ter ia, laws of 1907, as amended by
chapter "A, avs of 1909. Indexed and
condensed section by section, free of
legal verbiage, for general information
into short sentences. 1t must be I'M
derstood that all provisions of law,
ordinances, rulings of the supreme
court, etc, row applicable to cities of
the first class not repugnant to this
act, remain in force under the COM
mission act:
The Act
Section ALL cities of first class
shall be governed by provisions of this
act. after adopting same.
Section 2-Enumerates corporate
rights ito sue and be sued,'' etc.
Section 3-Corporate name.
Section PICARD of commissioners
to control
Section 5-service of process.
Section 6-Limits actions for dam
Section RELATES to corporate lin
its of city.
Section Slow adjacent lands may
be added to city.
Section ALL city officers elected
by vote of people at large.
Section 10-ElectionS to be held
first Tuesday in April each odd num-
bered year.
Section 11-Polls to be open from 6
a. m. to p. m.
Section 12-(See laws 1909)-Sec-
ton I'm all city elections women
shall have same right to vote as males
under same restrictions.
Section 13-City to be divided in
to voting districts, not to exceed 500
voters each. Three judges and two
clerks to be appointed for each dis
trict, of different political parties.
Section 14-(See laws 1909, sub
section 2)-All candidates for mayor
and commissioners must be nominated
at a primary election. Each candidate
must file with city clerk a sworn
statement in form given in section,
ten days prior to primary, and at same
time a petition CT rs qualified voters
in his behalf, in form given in section.
City clerk must publish names of all
candidates arranged in alphabetical
order. Opposite name of each candi-
date for mayor shall be a square.
Above all the names the words "Vote
for one" Opposite the name of each
candidate for commissioner a like
square, and above all the names the
words "Vote for four Ballots same