The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-09-22
Utrmont dMMthmaa.
GOVERNMENT by COMMISSION.

A City Commission Congress will be
held at Galveston Nov. 21-23 for the
purpose of discussing the problems of
municipal government. 1t will follow
Immediately after the Trans-M MISSISSIPPI
pi Commercial Congress, the first two
days of which will be held in San An
tonic, and the last day in Galveston.
II is peculiarly appropriate that such
a convention should be held in Calves
ton. where municipal government by
commission originated and where it
has achieved its most conspicuous sue
cess.
Following the great disaster OF 1900,
when the Texas metropolis was we'll
nigh destroyed by a tidal wave, an
organization known as the Deep Wat
er Committee seeing the need of
thorough reorganization of municipal
affairs, issued an address in which
they said:
"We believe that municipal govern
ment. as it has been administered in
this community for the past twenty
years, is failure. 1t did not require
the storm to bring a realization of this
fact, but it brought it home with great
er force upon us. We are seeking re-
lief from the municipal destruction
and despair staring us in the face. 1t
is question with us of civic life and
death. This committee has labored
diligently and earnestly to prepare and
present to the people of this city, and
10 the Legislature, remedial legisla-
ton adequate for the grave emergency
confronting us. Months have been
given to its preparation 1t is hoped
that the central idea of the new char
ter-that of a ommission-embodies
the practical solution of that hitherto
unsolved problem: how to govern,
cheaply and well, a municipal corpor-
alton We are asking for a charter,
placing the entire control of the local
government in the hands of five COM
misisoners, designed to benefit the peo-
pie rather than to provide sinecures
for politicians"
Following this suggestion the pres
ent commission form of government
was worked out, charter being Sc
cured after a long and bitter fight
officials is as follows:
The business of the city is divided
into four departments, each depart
Ihent being under the charge and di-
rection of a commissioner. These four
commissioners and the Mayor collec-
lively, constitute what is terms the
Board of Commissioners of the City
of Galveston. The Mayor is the pres
ident of the board and the executive
head of the city government He has
all of the right, powers and duties
conferred upon the office of Mayor by
the constitution and laws of the State,
has the right to vote upon all ques-
tons. but has no veto power. Majority
rule always prevails
The commissioners at the first
meeting after their election or as soon
thereafter as possible. by a majority
vote. designate from among their
members one commissioner who shall
be known as Commissioners of FIN
ance and Revenue and under whose
direction is placed the offices of the
City Assessor and Collector, the City
Treasurer and City Auditor. He is
also charged with the duty of eXamin-
ing into and keeping informed as to
the finances of the city, and with the
advice and assistance of the other
members of the board he prepares the
annual budget of the city. Great care
is exercised in preparing the city bud
get and it is never exceeded in eX-
penditures.
Apother commissioner is designated
commissioner of Waterworks and
Sewerage" He has under his special
charge the construction maintenance
and operation of the waterworks and
sewer systems departments. The SUI
periDt endentS of these two depart
ments and the joint secretary and all
employees ave under the direction OF
this commissioner.
Another commissioner is designated
commissioner of Streets and Public
Property He has under his special
charge the supervision of all matters
relating to the streets, alleys ana
property belong to the city, and is
charged with the duty of lighting the
streets, looking after STRENGTHENING
and sanitation. the supervision OF
street paving, construction of drains,
and seeing that the conditions of the
grant of. public franchises are com
piled with.
The City Engineer and his assist
ants. City Health Physician Superln-
tendent of Drays Health inspectors,
CITY Sexton. Sidewalk inspector and all
en1ployes in these departments are un-
der the direction of this commissioner.
Bids must be advertised for in every
instance where the expenditure ex-
ceeds $500 and no bonds can be issued
without favorable vote OF the tax
payers.
The other, and fourth commissioner
is. designated Police and Fire Com
missioner" He has under his special
charge the enforcement of all ponce
regulations and the general supervls-
ion of the fire departments. The Cnlel
of Police. police officers, Chief OF FIRE
Department and firemen and the Judge
and clerk of the corporation court are
under the direction OF this commas
sioner.
The City Secretary and Guy Attor-
new are officers with which the Mayor
president is closely associated and are
usually nominated by him, All OH
GERS and employees are nominated py
him. All officers and employees are
Nominated by the commissioners III
charge of the spective departments
and are electef W a majority vote oil