Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1910-10-22
GALvESTON'S COMMISSION
FORM or CITY GOVERNMENT

being issued to meet current bills.
The city hall, fire engine-houses, wat
erworks station and the public build
ings were in ruins and the wooden
block street pavement in a most de-
plorable condition. According to
the city auditors report, the float
ing debt of the city on Jan. l, 1901,
was s204 ,974.54. Fractional strife.
jealousy and dissension prevailed In
the city council. Many Disguised taS-
payers were refusing to pay their
taxes, which only tended to aggra-
vate matters. grave situation con-
fronted the city. The people real
lied beyond any possible doubt that
in order to restore confidence and to
make Galveston safe place to re-
side. that prompt steps looking to
the protection OF the city against
possible danger of life and property
from stormes and hurricanes, were
absolutely nessary.
Under the state law no city or
county bond can be sold or disposed
of by any city or county at less than
par. The outlook for Galveston was
dark. It was indeed face to face
with question OF civic life or death.
Origin OF the Commission Plan.
There is in the city OF Galveston
business organization knoyn as the
Galveston Deep Water Committee,
whose members have directly and
indirectly accomplished more for the
welfare OF Galveston than the unor-
ganized efforts OF the balance of the
citizenship combined. While 1t may
not be generally known, neverthe-
less II is true, the Galveston commits
sion form of government is due en-
tirely to the efforts OF members OF
that organization. The campaign of
education which resulted in the plat
form demand for state aid in the
grade-raising work was also conduct
ed under the direction of this organ
ization. Subsequent to the passage of
the grade-raising act. 1t also recon-
mended to the governor the appoint
ment OF the personnel OF the grade
raising board, and alBo aided In a
great measure the movement which
resulted in the United States govern
ments extension OF the seawall, Mr..
George sealy, then universally re-
cognized as the leading citizen OF
Galveston. banker and a man OF
great personal popularity, was chair
man OF the Deep Water Committee In
the lattor part OF 1900. when that
organization decided to take a hand
IN the upbuilding and restoration of
and was especially active
In the inauguration and carrying out
o, the many comprehensive and far
reaching plans then outlined for the
upbuilding and restoration of Gal
weston.
After the storm of 1900, II. was
suggested that the first step neces-
sary to the complete rehabilitation of
was a thorough reorganl-
zation OF the city government. IL
was seen and understood, as every
keen observer knows. that an ef-
ficlent city government encourages
the people, stimulates them to
activity, invites capital and creates
The Deep Water Com
mittee, therefore, decided that there
was an imperative necessity that
the character OF tho city be COM
pletely overhauled and application
should be m0de to the state legisla-
turo for new charter along broader
and better lines. and that some action
should be taken looking 20 COM
promise with the holders OF the elty's
bonds. as to the interest on the out
standing bonds for a period OF five
years.
nv. r., wayerley Smith, president
of 'he First National bank of Gal
weston. q lawyer by training. and
who. for four years prior 20 that time
had held the office OF city attorney,
and who was member OF the Deep
Wator Committee. and now It's chair
man, suggested the appointment of
committee from that organization TO