The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-02-11
THE COMMISSIONERS DUTIES.

AAASO ~ $4,000
With four candidates in the field for
the fnayoralty nominations and will
thirty odd candidates in the race Tor
nominations for the four commissioner
ships. representing as they do all sorts
and conditions Of men Of all kinds OF
capabilities, it might be well again to
call the attention of the voters to the
duties that will have to be performed
by those who are finally chosen mayor
and commissioners
Under the terms of the city commits
sion charter act the mayor shall De, ex
officio, the Commissioner OF the police
and fire departments" and shall have
under his special charge, and be re-
sponsible for, the enforcement of all
city ordinances and police regulations
and have general supervision over the
police and fire departments.
By a majority vote of all the men,
bers. the board of commissioners shall
designate from among their number
one commissioner who shall be known
as commissioner of finance and reve-
nue." He shall have under his special
charge the preparation OF an annual
budget and the levy of taxes and the
COllGcIlOl OF oil ICNCh0Co OOAOh6AA9 -
the city from whatever source the
same may be derived, and the manage
I. ent OF the finances of the city.
Another commissioner shall be select
ed to serve as commissioner of water
works and street lighting" He shall
have under his special charge the con-
struction, maintenance and operation OF
any waterworks owned by the city and
any lighting plant or system OF street
lighting in use.
A third member of the commission
shall be chosen to act as commissioner
of streets and public improvements"
He shall have under his special charge
the supervision of the streets and
alleys, and the repair, construction and
maintenance of sidewalks. bridges and
sewers, and all other public improve
ments not otherwise provided for, and
shall have general supervision over the
engineering department of the city. He
shall also see that all contracts for pub
lie improvements under his supervision
are faithfully complied with, and that
the conditions OF all permits to eX-
cavate in the streets and alleys Of the
city and the grant of any franchise or
privilege are faithfully performed.
The other members of the commission
shall be designated to serve as "com-
missioner of parks and public prop
erty.'' He shall have under his special
charge the public parks and all prop
erty of the city, and shall have super
vision over the health department of
the city. He shall keep the streets,
alleys and public grounds of the city
in a sanitary condition and shall en-
force all rule and regulations neces-
sary to these ends, and shall protect
the health of the inhabitants of the
city.
There is a general supervision over
the affairs of each of these departments
by the entire commission, or majority
vote of it, but each commissioner is 20
be held strictly responsible for the
proper conduct of the department en-
trusted to his charge. And in casting
their ballots for the candidates in the
field the voters of the city owe it to
themselves to vote for those candidates
who will be thoroughly competent to
preside over the affairs of any one of
the departments. The commission form
Of government will not be all the suc-
cess that could be made out Of it, if
any but the most competent men to
discharge the duties Of the commission
ers and the mayor are chosen for office.