The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1910-07-12
SILENT OPPOSITION
To the Proposed Commission Form Of
Government-Why?

| lneTe is silent YET strong OPPOSE
ton to the proposed commission form
of government for Shreveport, which is
not surprising, but the opponents should
not indulge in misstatements with the
view of prejudicing those who may be
inclined to the proposed change in the
government of the municipality,
The present system, mayor and hf-
teen councilmen, has been tried, and
after the test of years it is being real
lied that it is no longer responsive to
the present needs of the municipality.
The opposition to the government by
commission, which is becoming active
in Shreveport is but the repetition of
the experience of cities in which this
system prevails satisfactorily, and which
is commended in the strongest words. of
approval.
1t would seem that the opposition to
the government by commission is from
individuals WAC 90 not fancy the sup
planting of the present system by
commission form consisting of mayor
and four councilmen or commissioners
instead of mayor and fifteen council
men.
1t has been demonstrated in the cities
operating un&er the commission form
that the abuses and shortcomings as
well as tsle unsatisfactory service of the
system by mayor and fifteen or more
councilmen, have been removed and the
affairs of the municipalities are being
lpplied in the management of firms and
corporations. II
Under the system of government by
commission the granting of valuable
franchises to the Traction Company
would have been impossible, except on
the approval of the majority of the
peoeple voting at referendum election.
Under the system of government by
commission the squabble which has
arisen over the negotiating of the city
bonds for street paving and the con-
tracts for street paving would have
been impossible ..u..s- --.-.>s..
The first experiment in this system of
governing a municipality was applied at
Galveston, Texas, after the flood. Since
ten one hundred and twenty-seven cities
are being operated under the system,
which has been improved by the addi-
of II
Through the referendum the people
have the right to approve of disapprove
such proposition as the granting of a
charter to corporation for the use of
the city or the city property, and the
recall enables the people to recall an of
fetal who is incompetent or has failed
to fulfill his duties A recall election is
secured OH the petition of 80 per cen@ of
the voters having voted at the previous
election. IT,
A system SO thoroughly responsive to
progressive requirements should re-
ceive the endorsement of all classes of
the people who stand for good govern
ment, honestly and economically admin
istered.
In the commission system the ques-
ton of political factions or of political
views is of secondary consideration. The
incentive in the commission system IS
to secure the best and most capable men
for the Offices for which they are. paid
fixed salary and to which they must
apply their full time, as would be re-
CURED of any employe in a bank or BUS
mess firm.
To secure this form of government
for Shreveport it is necessary that the
mayor shall be petitioned by thirty
| three per cent of the voters who partici-
pated in the last mayoralty election, and
on this call by such petition it becomes
mandatory on the mayor to issue his
PRONUNCIATION fixing the date for such
election, which may be from thirty to
sixty days from the date of the call
II, Shreveport, for instance, on this
issue of the cali should the voters de-
clare in favor of this system of govern
nlent, then must there fullow a second
election at which to elect a mayor and
four commissioners, as provided in this
| Act of the Legislature.
The election for the officers of the
new form of government would super
sede the election for the system of a
mayor and fifteen counciImen.
After the first election there would