Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1911-01-18

This remark is what led to the ex- cltement during the meeting last n.ght.
 Dr. Caldwell was asked to speak on the matter after Mayor Toney called the meeting to order, but he declined saying he was not qualified to discuss 1t, having only read the bill, which was handed to him some days ago bv MT. Sorrells.
 Dr. Jordan called upon MT. Sorrells to explain the bill He reviewed the defects and. the flew good features" or the measure at length and asserted that the bill, which had been present. ed at the attorneys meeting in Little Rock was not what Pine Bluff want ed and ought to have. He objected to practically all of the more string ent provisions and said that it had been prepared for Fort Smith, but was full of politics. He objects ser- lously to the 25 per cent of voters petition feature, which would prac- tlcally enable them to remove an of- ficer by pet tioni The measure dis cussed provides for Mayor and four commissioners, heads of city depart ments listed in the bill.
 During his preliminary remarks Mir. Sorrells was interrupted by J. L. Mills, who asked him if he had ever l Ved under a commission form of eov- ernment. He replied that he had not and never expected to-although he declared himself in favor of conser- vatlve commission form of govern ment. He contended that the people of Pine Bluff did not know what they wanted. They knew they wanted the commission form of government, he said, but did not know the details de- sired. He thought it would result disastrously fl the entire city govern ment was turned Over to four con- missioners and a mayor, especially if
 
 popular (not the most competent men) we're elected The result would be-. he said, that politicians would rule the situation and graft come. He said he was not opposed to a commits sion form of government, but was opposed to makeshift that is to he even worse than we've got.''
 Dr. Caldwell Started Fireworks.
 Dr. Caldwell was asked to discuss the matter by D. L. Vail after Mr. Sorrells took his seat He prefaced h.s remarks by saying that he was too modest to talk, as City Attorney Sorrells had stated that the Board of Trade kills everything it has any thing to do with" The Board of Trade, he said, had been insulted and he would not speak as an official of the Board of rade until an apology or explanation was made. Dr. Cald- we'll declared that he would discuss the subject as J. l.. Caldwell, the tax payer and citizen, and he proceeded to outline the many benefits to be derived from a good commission form of government for cities of the first class in Arkansas.
 Dr Caldwell discussed the bill for about thirty minutes. He sad that the commission form of government idea had grown out of the desire of the people to concentrate responsibil- ity. The idea originated from col lege chum of his at Princeton and the plan is spreading rapidly. The pur- pose of the meeting at Little Rock, he said, was to devise model form Of commission government for Arkansas cities. He agreed with MT. Sorrells that the measure before him was de- fective, but he had confidence in the abil ty of Judges Trieber and Rose, who with another, to be named by by them, was to go over it and submit a bill that would be effective and beneficial to Arkansas cities. Dr.. Caldwell did not object to the 20 per cent petition feature, contending that !, the petition only put the spec al ques- tions up to the people to say what they should have. He termed that part of the bill as being harmless
 ''First get your model,' said Dr.. Caldwell, "and I am in sympathy with it. The State of Arkansas ought to have model upon it's books
 The speaker contended that a may or and four commissioners were too many. As Dr. Caldwell, the cltlzen, he said he bel eyed the people shoulo back up the best thing that can DC put ulp to the Legislature.
 Sorrells Answers Critic.
 rr- couroJ1o ooinod thn floor and