The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1911-01-10

SN~NN
public clamored for, as may devel-
ope from time to time, the PROPOSE
ton favored by the public is drawn
up by competent men, backed by a
petition of usually rs per cent of the
voters and a demand made upon the
commission to take such action as
demanded. If they decline to do so,
then it is possible for the people to
take action themselves
The recall. This of coure en-
ables the public at any time to de-
mand that any official who is negli-
gent or incompetent, shall submit to
another election, for either endorse
ment or condemnation-the petition
calling for the recall usually suggest
ing the name of some citizen who
may oppose the incumbent at the
election.
The provision requiring that Off
Gals be engaged in no other business
is wise one. 1t is presumed that a
man who has no other interests than
the city's interests can be more in
dependent in all of his public actions
than one who might be engaged in
some line of business that would be
affected by public legislation.
The non-partisan feature en-
bodied in most schemes adopted is
an important one. 1t has been as
serted by all of the presidents of this
republic during recent years, that
while parties are necessary and use
full to the nation, yet partisanship
is municipal misfortune. No
party designation is allowed to be
made, either at the primary or gen.
eral election, and no pledges of any
nature whatever as to place, party
service OF influence.
The home rule feature. Many
cities have secured from the legisla-
ture an enlargement of their home
rule privileges, on the theory that
communities familiar with all the
conditions are best able to and have
the right to Judge as to how they
will be governed, so long as they do
not come in conflict with the consti-
tuition of the state or of the statutes
thereof.
1T is absurd that some rural mem
Der, several hundred miles away.
should perhaps have the deciding
vote in the legislature as to whether
We should adopt this or that method
of conducting our affairs whether
we should spend 100000 more or
less on local improvements. 1t is
an outrage that the legislature of
state shall be allowed to grant con-
tinual franchises for public utilities
in local communities
Some cities have made, in my
opinion, very grave mistake in not
designating just what position a man
should occupy in this scheme of
government. A man should be, as
nearly as possible, an expert in the
matters over which he is supposed
to have control. Then direct re-
sponsibility may be fixed upon the
heads of each of the departments.
This is so important that I am sur
prised to find that any other system
is followed.
1T has never been found by exper-
fence that fewer elections are held,
where the percentage of names re-
Quired on petitions is high enough.
In some cities, five per cent of the
voters at the last general election is
enough to call for a new election.
This l regard as exceedingly weak.
There are always, in cities, a suffici-
ent number of voters who are willing
to sign almost any petition, because
of the fact that the expense of such
election does not come directly to
them. While an increase to ten
per cent would be a fair one to de-
mand that any amendment or Or
dinance should be voted upon at the
| next general election, it should re-
quire at least 25 per cent to call for
| special election ..s.
President Names Ministers.