Norwich bulletin., 1910-12-08
Moriah Lodge Elects Officers.
PUTNAM
Mayor Macdonald Files Petition for Government by Commission and Re- vision Of Charter-County Commits sioners' Report Shows Prosperous Year-3,479 in Treasury.

Radical and progressive changes from the present form of city government in Putnam are outlined in 8 petition which Mayor Archibald Macdonald has filed with the secretary of state, in or der that the matters therein may be considered by the incoming legisla- ture.
 The petition embodies suggestions for g sweeping revision from the pres ent form of administering local munic- ipal affairs including the abolishing Of the office of mayor and the oblitera- tiOn of the common council, and advo- cates the creation of a body of three or five men, in whom shall be vested the executive and administrative af- fairs of the city. In a. nutshell, the pe- tition calls for a government by com mission, a form of delegating authority that because of it's simplicity and dem Onstrated efficiency has appealed to the citizens in nearly 100 American ctt- ies.
 Revision of Charter.
 Not only does Major Macdonald ask in his petition for the changes above indicated, but he desires a comptele revision of the city charter, whiha is conceded unsatisfactory in many ways. Abolishment of the annual city meet ing is also asked for, and that all city officers be elected every second year and in one meeting.
 Permanent Officers.
 The mayors petition also seeks to have the offices of the chief of police and chief of the fire department (now filled annually by tlfe common counciD made permanent positions, and that the salary of tfIe city treasurer, who will also be the treasurer of the water funds, be increased.
 More Power for Mayor.
 One section of the petition is to have ant hDTiTW cSiNrnT1 the pT L. tive head of the city general executive authority in the matter of making all city contracts and in the making of appointments.
 Another point made in this petition is to have the suggested executive board of the city authorized to employ the superintendent of water works as superintendent of tine sewer system, now under contraction, provided the board Of water commissioners will con . sent.
 Another Change. It also petitioned that the provisions for the layout of streeets and the as- sessnents for payment of sewers he altered from their present form.
 City Court. Tn relation to the city court the changes suggested by the petition pro vide for change of the time Of con- vening the court and also for the ap- pointment of q prosecuting attorney by the judge of the court in place Of tine present methods of filling the office.
 Another suggestion is that the sal ary of the city clerk be increased. The changes enumerated are radical but the opinion is that adj wjll find favor with many of the citizens. II they become effective after the proper legal procedure, there is small doubt that many details of administering the affairs of the city which now create adverse comment of the administrative system, rather than of the adminis- trative officers, will be eliminated.
 Frequently Advoted.
 Nearly every one of the s'1ggeste ed changes has been mooted for several years by various prominent Putnam men, who are desirous that this city should have the most efficient modern, economical and non-cumbersone pol icy available of regulating it's affairs. The petition will be taken up, it is be- leved, in the early sessions of the in- coming legislature.