Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1911-04-27

and the contractors of public work,
the new plan OF government was a
! dopted by a considerable majority.
The first election Of the five mem
| bers for the governing board was
notable in the history of Des Moines
! politics. There were 81 candidates
for counciImen and IL candidates for
the office of mayor, at the primary
election. The movement to elect a
| ticket named by a committee of %
| created by some of those prominent
| in promoting the new charter, where
in it was aimed to elect business
men to the council, resulted disas-
trousIy. The people had been given
to understand that the Des Moines
Plan was a democratic proposition,
that every voter would have voice
in the selection of the entire coun-
Gil, and the plan was therefore more
representative, that party lines were
eliminated, and that the city would
act as a unit and not by wards or
sections. This election resulted in
the selection Of five men of ordinary
ability, four Of whom at the time of
election were holding elective or ap-
pointive offices, and the fifth had
formerly held the office Of Mayor for
two terms. The results have led to
the belief that what the commissioner
may lack in business experience was
made up in a valuable political train
ing The results of the work of the
commission during the first two years
is a strong endorsement for this plan
of government. At the second cleo
ton, there were but 6 candidates for
mayor and 18 candidates for the other
four places on the council. All mem
bers of the council were candidates
for reelection but the mayor and one
councilman were defeated
The advantages which seem to be
inherent in the Des Moines Plan are:
Through It's non-partisan elections
and elimination of ward lines, it
creates a united city. Under it the
municipal government is no longer
a part of the party organizations OF
the county, state or nation.
The CITY government is no longer
directed and controlled by selfish in
terests through ward organizations,
the city, not ward, being the unit.
Through the initiative, referendum
and recall, issues of great moment
no longer rest wholly in the hands
of the council.
While the council is the govern
ing body retaining all powers, yet in
the natural operation Of the plan the
fullest authority is conceded to each
Of the five Superintendents of De
partments to control and direct the
work of his department subject to the
approval Of the council. Thus is the
responsibility directly placed, and
no one official need bear the blame
for the shortcomings OF another, tho
the council as a whole is responsible
for the results as a whole.
An important step toward secur-
ing a business administration is the
fact that reasonable salaries are paid
the officials and practically their en-
tire time demanded.
The Civil Service provisions are
factors in securing results from all
classes of employees. The reasonable
operation Of any Civil Service scheme
is a matter of good faith on the part
of those charged with its conduct.
Under this plan of government, the
conduct of the Civil Service is large
| ly in the hands of the city council.
| The government of our city, under
| the Des Moines Plan, has been char
| acterized by increased efficiency and
facilitation of the city's business in
all departments Selfish ward inter
ests have been ignored and the de-
mands and needs of the general pub
lie received first consideration. I'M
proved bookkeeping and efficient aud
iting have stopped many leaks. The
/ city's expenditures have been kept