Semi-weekly herald., 1911-03-30
THE COMMISSION FORM OF GOV.
EMINENT AND WHAT 1T MEANS.
(Communicated.)

SND WNAi " MEANS.
(Communicated.)
The commission form OF government,
is, to put it concisely, the placing OF
city's affairs in the hands of three
or more men, according to the charter
adopted. These men have absolute
control. They are elected by the
people as a whole and not, as at
present, by wards. These three, four
or more men handle the affairs OF the
city, the same as board of directors
would handle the affairs of a large
company. subject to the wishes Of the
people. If their method of doing bus
mess Is not satisfactory. there is the
recall feature. whereby any one of
them can be removed from office,
after vote of the entire people.
In Durango We have aldermen elet-
ed from wards, men being elected
from each ward. The people living In
ward l can only vote for two alder.
men in that ward; the people living
in ward 2 have no right or power to
vote for any but two aldermen in ward
2y~and so on. Under the commission
form we have the right to vote for all
candidates.
Now as to the method of election.
For the sake of illustration we will
take the Des Moines plan. In that
city they have what is known as a
double election. In other words Il
primary election, and then two weeks
later, a final election.
At the primary election any citizen
may become a candidate for either
mayor or councilman. the only require
ments being petition signed by 25
qualified voters attesting his moral
character and fitness for the office
There is no limit to the number of
applicants or candidates for either
mayor or councilman. All names
must be filed with city clerk at least
10 days before the Primary election is
held. All names are published in one
or more of the daily papers. All
names are printed on the official
ballot in alphabetical order, without
any partisan designation. In other
words You vote for the individual Ir.
respective of party politics. If you
think that Jones would make a good
councilman or mayor. you place Il
mark opposite his name. The two
candidates receiving the highest mum
ber of votes for councilman, are the
nominees whose names are
placed on the final ballot. These 10
names, and no others. are printed. 1t
should be understood that a prospec-
tive candidate states in his original
application whether he is IA candidate
for mayor or councilman.
At the final election, the recipients
of the highest number of votes. are
the parties elected.
The fact that all names are publish
ed in the papers enables every citizen
to pick out the individuals he or she
thinks would be the best people to
control the affairs of the city. They
are not buying pig in poke"
A man elected by this method starts
in, or should start in with confidence
of the citizens to back him up. 1t is
up to him to do his duty and 1t is on
him that the burden of blame will fall
il he fails.
The question has been asked in re-
gard to Durango; would it be possible
to get four honest, capable men to run
for office under this form? We say
most emphatically yes. Is there any
businessman in Durango SO utterly
devoid Of civic pride who would not
feel honored If elected by the whole
people to represent them as mayor
or alderman, when 1t Is known that
the position Is one OF great responsi-
bility and trust instead of as it is now,
one of ridicule and abuse? No!
Our advice to one and all is to go
to Red Men hall and hear this matter
discussed and explained. If you wish.
go prepared with pertinent questions.
Read up on this important movement.
They have books at the library that
La hal !,