The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1910-01-01

affairs, streets and public improve
ments, parks and public property, az
counts and finance, public safety
Thus far it has been highly satisfac
tory and it has led to the adoption O
enabling acts outside of Iowa, by Kan
sas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Mis-
sissippi, Minnesota, Wisconsin. ant
Oklahoma.
Cities which have adopted one form
or other of commission government
are:
Galveston, Houston, Waco, For,
Worth, Austin, Ell Paso, Dallas, Den
nison. Greenville, Sherman, Beaumont
Texas; Des Moines, Cedar Rapids
Keokuk, Iowa; Kansas City, Leaven
worth, Wichita, Hutchinson, Independ
ence, Anthony, Kansas; Haverhill,
Gloucester, Chelsea, Massachusetts,;
Boise, Lewiston, Idaho; Charlotte,
North Carolina; Berkeley, San Diego
Riverside, Los Angeles, California.
Minot, Bismarck, Mandan, Grand
Forks, North Dakota; Colorado
Springs, Grand Junction, Colorado;
Ardmore, Oklahoma; Memphis, Bris-
tol, GAINESVILLE, Richard City, Tennes-
see; st. Joseph, Missouri.
The above is not a complete list
but it gives some idea of the spread
of the movement.
The basic principles of the Iowa
law, to which most Of the others con-
form, are as follows:
One-Concentrstio of executive au-
thority.
Two-Direct fixing of official re
sponsibility.
r Three-Elimination of partisan pol
tiles
Four-Direct nominations.
Five-An open field to all aspirants
Six-Alphabetically arranged bal
lot.
Seven - Preferential voting by
which no man can be elected to office
unless he receives a majority of all
the votes cast.
Eight-The initiative and refercn-
dunn.
Nine-The recall.
The concentration of executive au.
thority abolishes the unwieldy and un-
business-like council with it's wasteful
methods. 1t puts the city on a purely
business basis. Five men can trans
act many times the amount of bust |
ness that board of dozen men can
do it easier and better.
The direct fixing of official response.
oility insures full, prompt and careful
attention to every detail. 1t eliminates
opportunity for graft. 1t puts the man
n charge Of department on his met.
lie to make a good and satisfactory
moving. He knows he is directly
to all the people,. He
S not going to take any chances OF
ensure.
The direct nomination opens the
leld to all aspirants, alphabetically
rranged ballot and preferential vot-
ng eliminate partisan and ward poll.
les and make it possible for the peo-
lie to choose the best man, regardless
f the gang or the machine.
The initiative and referendum place
he absolute law-making power in the
ands of the people, where it belongs.
10 public utility franchise can be s
ranted except by direct vote.
The recall makes it possible for the 7
aople to summarily dismiss any 1
'uncilman who may prove a failure
office from any cause.
One of the most enthusiastic trib. f
.es to the system comes from Haver- I
ii, Mass, where Mayor Moulton is at a
e head of the city government. In.
averhill Gazette says:
From the hour that Mayor Moulton n
Id his associates took up the reins a
e new charter has been busily at "
ork replenishing an empty treasury, h
the public service, exact
G equitable returns for the grant of p
bic franchises and eliminating the
cious effects of party influence from
cry department at the city hall. va
'ar has played no part, and there tr
We been no favorites. The rule of Y
politician has been supplanted by m
rule of the people and popular ap- G.
oval has found its echo in the cruz eli
Ne Of last analysis-refusal to re.
1 the government" vi
The question of recall of Mayor nj
'ulton was taken up by a few of Of
enemies, but the effort was de- be
ted, as the people were we'll sat
ed it'll his work. In Los Angeles, DI
vever, where a really bad man had
N successful in being elected
yor. the recall quickly discharged tic