The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-01-11
TULSA WITHOUT THE YOKE
In Less Than Ten Months of Modern Munic-
ipal Government Demonstrators of Civic
Possibilities to Ok1ahoma--The
Fall of The Clans

Tulsa was the first municipality in
Oklahoma TO adopt the commission
form OF government. Tulsa knows
Il and Is proud Of the fact. The same
causes which led cities IN other states
prior TO Tulsa's day, and which are
causing other cities in Oklahoma TO
follow Tulsas example, led 10 the
change. Tulsa had fallen into the
hands OF a political ring, and the re-
suits were eyirayagance and disre-
gard of the rights OF the taxpayers.
Under the OLD system ii some resi-
dent of locality had sufficient pull
i was posibie for him TO direct the
ronte OF sewer laterals in order TO
serve him and his friends. while the
rights OF the majority Of the resi-
dents OF that nelgnbo.nood We're VIC.
lated
II John Smith desired job on the
police force and had made his appli-
cation in due form the examination
tie underwent for the job did not in
luire into his moral character and
other qualifications which character
i2e the efficient policeman. On the
other hand what the examiners did
ssk John Smith was how he casi his
vote at the last city election. If his
reply 10 this question was satisfactory
he was asked how many votes he
could deliye. TO the ring al the next
election.
Richard Roe. for example, had
bsen ordered 10 put in sidewalk
H. front OF his residence. He asked
the city engineer and was given a
grade which, he found compelled
him to make deep cur or qhile u
llll, entailing some expense and trol
bic. Angerea at what he considered
an imposition upon him, Roe, either
through friend who had a pull
with the city administration o. by his
own I'd ag'', had his grade changed
ever the protests of others along the
street who had laid sidewalks on the
established grade. Examples OF
streets cut up in this way can still
be seen. even though the commission
las devoted considerable time and ex
penSe to rectifying abuses of this
character
tbdNi iHt biu iDllii vi tsp'tiHiiNAN
TN honest city election was an impos-
sibility. II the gang, which ios years
Lad control OF The city, did nor feel
sai OF having won in the face OF an
open purchase 0l the marketable vote
or by daylight frauds so open In many
instances that they we're known 10
almost every voter, changing the tai.
Ii sheets during the count OF the
ballots was resoIted to in order 10
'-cinch" the result.
In the night following a city elec.
lion three yeas ago In orde, to get
q chance at the tally sheets false
alarm OF fire was turned in. In the
excitement members OF the election
board lett the booth in one ward and
in the few minutes they were ont IL
Is alleged the results were tampered
with and the election was again Civ
en- 10 the gang, which, until late
hour that night. conceded defeat. Al.
terwards the clerk of the election
board who fixed the figures told OF
what he had done. He even boasteu
o. Ii as a huge joke.
Then The Public Rebelled
AT last matters reached such
point that the honest voters. irrespec-
tive party, decided on change The
city was IN deb; and growing deeper
in debt with every month II was a
Change Of government or ruin and
Tie vote decided that il would be u
Grange OF government.
II took almost year 70. Tulsa to
actually get the commission form OF
government after The electorate, by
an Overwhelming vote, had express
Ell preference for il. The gang
fought the proposition to draft spe-
cial charter Though every stage. but
Tie proposition carried with ease and
the commission charter was written.
Tnen the gang attempted the defeat
OF the charter which in turn car
iied by vote OF two to one But
The charter had TO be approved by
ihe governor before II became the
fundamental Law OF the city, and the
fang then began to work upon this
official IN an endeayor to get him 10
veto t. For months Il looked as
il.oneh be was going to do IT, Friends
os The charter were compelled to hire