The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1910-03-22
COMMISSION

sioners to the best interest of the city
is not to have prospective candidates
seek the position, but to let the people
seek the Commissioners. Many have
suggested the plan of circulating a
petition asking certain citizens to be-
come candidates. This, in my judg-
ment, is not the best way, for the
reason that some one person nomf-
mates the candidates, and others in
dorse without regard to others who
might become candidates, or become
nominated. Others still advocate the
plan of a general mass meeting, and
all the people en- masse nominate the
three Commissioners, and then let the
municipality vote upon and ratify
those nominations. To me this does
not appear to be the better method,
for the reason that all of the people
cannot meet en- masse at any one
time.
Nominate BY Convention.
The idea that I have, and present
now for consideration, is that all
three Commissioners be nominated on
modified convention plan. I want
to state here that if had the naming
of three Commissioners, I do not
think that l could name three men
who would entirely suit a majority;
but do believe that If thirty or forty
citizens were to meet in body, and
discuss the merits and dement's of all
candidates that a majority of them
could nominate three men who would
be much more satisfactory to the en-
tire people, and probably more capa-
| BILE, than | or any one man might nom-
| mate or elect.
I suggest that the people of the four
different wards of the city meet en-
| masse; say let ward one meet one
| night, ward two the next night, wards
three and four the following nights.
The people of ward one when they
meet could calmly and coolly discuss
the conditions of the city's affairs;
could suggest the qualifications and
ability of men to fill the position of
Commissioner, could have real
heart to heart meeting that would
create good fellowship between the
citizens of the ward. At this meet
ing an expression could be had of all
the citizens attending, as to who they
would select from among themselves,
ten intelligent, patriotic, and safe cit
liens as delegates to the convention to
be held say twenty or thirty days
after the mass meeting of the several
different wards. These delegates
could be instructed, or could be al
lowed to go uninstructed to the con-
vention which is to follow. These
men would be in splendid position to
represent their wards intelligently at
such a convention. The same thing
would apply to the other wards.
Date of Convention.
l suggest that twenty or thirty
days elapse between the meetings of
the respective wards before the hold
ing of the convention, for the reason
that the delegates appointed to the
convention to nominate these commits
sioners could hear, see, and consider
the suggestions of almost all of the
people of municipality. They could
even talk with and secure the ideas
and wishes of those who might fail to
attend the ward meetings, so that in
convention they could freely and in
telligently express the will of the peo-
pie, for they would be coming fresh
from the people, fresh from their
ward, posted on every need f.
nancially and otherwise of the city.
At this meeting all the candidates for
Commissioners could be nominated
and voted upon, each candidate, be he
who he may, nominated and fully con-
sidered by these forty men before pro-
ceedng to a nomination. A vote by
the delegates would be had, and the
three highest men nominated. OF
course this would not eliminate poll
tics, but it would eliminate petty poll
tics, and would be the means of elect
ing commissioners of high class.
A candidate, or one who seeks to
handle the destinies of this municipal
ity under the new law, who would not
risk his chances to the wisdom of for
ty we'll balanced patriotic citizens of
this community, elected in the man.
ner stated would not in my opinion
MAKE very satisfactory official. This
is a time that the people of Hatties-
burg must get together. Personal
feeling, and personal influence should
not prevail against the interest of the
city.
Not Political Work.
The changing of the municipality
from the old form to the Commission
form was not the work, nor the deed
of politicians, but was by the vote of
the honest laborer, skilled mechanic
and artisans of all trades, as we'll as
the man Of business It was the
closing Of the old books, we hope for
a better administration of our city's
affairs; and now for the people to sit
idly by and let people who are seek.
ing after public offices handle the
destinies of this city, would be like
stopping in the middle of stream. I
believe that It Is the wish of all quail
fed voters Of this city that all politi-
cal reins, and all old politicians, good
and bad, be for the time set aside,
and new men, with no political debts
to pay. be brought into public service.