The Batesburg advocate. [volume] (Batesburg, S.C.) 1901-1911, 1911-10-27
Has Proved High
w Successful
The Initiative and Referen-
dunn and Recall is Admi-
rcd By Majority Of Cit
ixenship Of Spokane

Spokane. Wash. Oct. 26.-Seven
months experience with the COM
mission form of government in Spo-
kane. which Is under the control of
the people through the preferential
election system, the initiative and
referendum and the recall. has prov
ed highly successful Direct effic-
iency has replaced responsibility
and incompetency, party bossism
has been elimated, the laws are en-
forced. the Taxpayers are obtaining
100 cents worth Of work for a dol
lar. Municipal improvement bonds
command high premiums and the
citys credit is gilt edge in the finan-
cial centers throughout the country.
Charles M Fassett. commissioner
of public utilities. speaking for the
commission. says the people. as a
rule, are satisfied with the change
and that it is doubtful if even those
who were most active against the
present charter would vote to re-
turn to the old system. There are
some. of course, who honestly be-
lieve the old form is better, he ad-
ded, but the chief opposition. to the
adoption of the charter and its con-
dnuance comes from those whose
private selfish interests are being in
terefered with 4ty the beneficial
] change in administration introdu-
ced ty'rhe present government
| Enumerating the chief points of
advantage of the commission form
Of government over the party sys-
tenn, Mr.. Fassett says:
| For the first time in its history
the community is not disturbed by
political wrangling at the city hall
| Our commissioners often do not a.
gree on various measures, but diff
ferences are soon healed and there
is harmony and good feeling be-
tween them.
| Each commissioner has charge,
under the authority of the whole
body, of his departments and the
taxpayer knows to whom to apply
| for his needs. The result is that
business is dispatched in hours and
days, where it formerly required
weeks and months.
Street and other improvements
are made for from 20 to 40 per
cent less than in recent years,
without reducing the city wage
scale or decreasing our standards
of quality. The contractors ring is
broken and most of our work goes
to those who have done the best
work in the past For the first
time in our history a contractor
has been fined for delaying public
work.
| Our tax levy will be the same as
last year, Notwithstanding a deficit
of about 500. 900 left by the former
government and the settlement of
many claims and complications
neglected for years.
The various departments are be-
ing managed with efficiency and
common sense. The water depart
ment. which has been permitted to
run heavily in debt. has been plac-
ed upon a business footing; free wa
ter has been cut of, the number of
meters has been doubled in seven
months, wastes have been stopped
and an adequate supply of water
furnished for all purposes during
the hot months. where every year
heretofore there has been famine
in certain districts.
Our streets are well paved and
kept clean and sewers are main
tanned; the health oi the city was
never so good; public service corpo-
rations are encouraged and enforc-
ed, when necessary. to give good
service; back franchise taxes are
collected and the affairs of the city
generally are conducted along mod
ern business lines.
The preferential system of vo-
ting, the short ballot and the cleo
ton of commissioners at large, who
select one of their number as may
or, are other features which have
strong arguments in their favor.
Hereafter not more than three COM