The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-01-28

cOuncll-DOtn terms are uSeQ-uaS DoLA
legislative and executive power, occu-
plying the same relation to the, city as
the county commissioners of Indiana
did to the county before the county
council law was passed. The people
argue that they are protected against
inefficient officials by the right to re-
move them.
1.-THE recall, as principle, impressed
the party as an excellent principle of
municipal government, although we
believe the Des Moines plan could be
strengthened on this point. Under
the Des Moines plan an official who
has proved Indifferent to his trust can
be forced to resign and stand for re-
election upon petition of - per cent
of the voters. One weak feature of
this provision rests in the fact that
the council, as sole Judge Of the pet!-
tons, has power which might be used
by council to keep the people from
ousting an unworthy officeholder.
Surprised at Popular Features.
The initiative and referendum also
impressed the visiting HOosiers favor
ably. Concerning these features of
the Des Moines plan. Mr.. Leeds said:
I'VE were very much surprised to
find the recall. referendum and init
ative features Of the law so popular.
These provisions give the people the
feeling that they have a direct check
,;,;,,
al opinion the recall, referendum and
initiative have more to do with the
popularity of the measure than the
council itself. | believe these popular
features have really awakened the in
terest in civic affairs.
at was the opinion of those who
composed our party that Des Moines
will some day find out that her recall
law may be meaningless, and her ref
erendum a subject Of dispute. The eff
fcctivcness of the initiative remains to
be proven. But all three provisions
are accepted by the people as proof Of
their direct rule"
Mr.. Leeds continued, in discussing
the proposition of commission govern
ment for cities in Indiana:
Our party unanimously favored al
lowing cities of smaller class the oD-
ton OF adopting Il commission form of
government, fortified by the initiative.
referendum and recall. We also feel
that the present cities and towns act
should be amended by adding the prin-
ciples Of initiative. referendum and
recall, thus Increasing the power of
people in the municipal affairs.''
Personnel Of Party.
The party. which left indianapolis
Sunday afternoon in the private car
Rainbow, comprised Rudolph c.. Leeds
publisher of the Richmond Palladium:
James p. Goodrich, republican state
chairman: A. r. keesling. of the Lo-
gansport Journal: Charles K Mavity.
of the L lafayette Journal: George B.
Lockwood. of the Marion Chronicle:
w. B. Campbell. Anderson. secretary
of the Federated Commercial Clubs of
Indiana; NJ. w. Miller of the Lafayette
Courier: Edgar A. Perkins, former
president of the Indiana Federation of
Labor. Indianapolis; T. &. Laycock,
q representing the indianapolis CONNER
cial club: E. Fl. Harris. representing
the Young Mems Business Club OF
Richmond and Mr.. Leeds private sec
rotary, and Carl Bcrnhardt. editorial
writer of the Richmond Palladium.
At Des Moines the party was Joined
in it's investigation by Arthur Gleason
of the editorial staff Of Golfers Week
ly, who is making a tour of the West
investigating popular feeling on gov
eminent propositions. Headquarters
were opened at the Chamberlain hotel.
and as many as possible who had infOr-
nation concerning the commission
form of government were interviewed.
In addit'~r members of the delega-
tion visited 'siness houses. banks,
churches and schools and interviewed
railroad men, day laoorers and leaders
of union labor.
Would Vote Down Return.
The visitors were convinced that If
the opportunity We're offered for Des
Moines to return to it's old form of gov
eminent 30 per cent of the people OF
that city would oppose such step
During their visit the Indiana party
was entertained by the Greater Des
Moines Committee, the Press club
the AID Mems club, the Commercial
club and the Grant Club at luncheons
and dinners. At these affairs the sub
ject of commission government was
discussed in all its phases by men fully
conversant with the subject. These
included Governor Carroll. the mem
bers of the Des Moines commission
James G. Berryhill, who is known as
the Father of the Des Moines plan
and many others who have taken an
interest in the development of Des
Names.
lrCrETua:
Just lea rned that Gold Medal Flour Is
s,fte,; ten fi,nrs th.n-trh rfa"St silk Fv-GENIA