davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1911-07-19
THE REFORM OF DALLAS.
How the Galveston Plan Cleaned Up a
Sister Texas City.

HOW the GaIVeSIOn ran OIGdNeQ Up q
Sister Texas City.
Following Galveston and Houston.
the city of Dallas took up the commits
sion form of government and made it
so completely democratic that it's enc
mics charged it with being ''populis-
tic" Dallas Incorporated into its char
ter the initiative. the referendum and
the recall. That the new form of gov
eminent has worked well in the four
years it has been in operation in Dali
las is shown by some Of the results
A floating debt of SPOT 600 was inner
tied from the old regime. This has
been wiped out completely, and the
sinking funds required by law estab-
lished At the end sof the last fiscal
year they contained SAT, O0O From
this it will be seen that in less than
four years the savings of the city have
amounted to $654,O0O. In 1908 the
profits of the city waterworks system
amounted TO 100000, and these profits
are being swelled with each succeed
ing year.
The forward strides Of the city have
been so rapid under the quickening in
duence of good government conditions
that Dallas and the county in which
1t is located are preparing to build the
largest concrete viaduct in the world
at a cost OF several million dollars. A
bond issue. of S1.3OO.O00 has been au
thorized by the people for public inn
provements. and a well developed pro-
gram for the physical development of
the city has been laid out. A new
sewerage system is being undertaken
and Dallas citizens are preparing for
another doubling of population in the
decade ahead
The city hall finds many opportuni-
ties to make its influence for greater
things count IN indirect ways. It was
desirable that a new municipal build
ing be erected. and to do this it was
necessary TO dispose of the old one
So the mayor and the commissioners
cooperating with the chamber of com
merce. interested some ST. Louis cap
itaiists in hotel proposition and land
ed a new S1.OOOOOO hotel They sold
the old city hall and made a new one
possible ali in a single deal At the
same time they were trying to secure
the location of great Methodist uni
versity at Dallas, and in this also they
were successful.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1911-07-19
HOW COMMISSION PLAN
WORKED IN HOUSTON.
A Success Despite the Retention Of
Several Old officiaIs.

Shortly after the commission plan OF
municipal government was seen to be
such a pronounced success in Calves
ton the nearby city OF Houston adopt
ed it in modified form. The chief de-
parture In Houston was that the may
or. who is one OF rhe i've commission
ers. was given enlarged authority. His
power OF appointment and dismissal
was made practically supreme. A re-
stricted form of the referendum was
also adopted. AS in Galveston. the
commissioners were elected from the
city at large. wiping out ward bound
aries. likewise ward politics.
The result OF the experiment was
gratifying in the extreme. Under the
old system Houston had about the av-
erage municipal government. The city
was failing to meet expenses. claims
against it being hawked about at 20
per cent discount. The new plan has
been in force about four years. Near
ly half million of Indebtedness has
been paid. one and one-half millions
have been devoted to municipal i'm
provements, the tax rate has been re-
duced 3 mills on the dollar. the price
of gas has been brought down from
$3.50 per thousand feet to SLIP. the
cost of arc lights has been reduced
from $50 to $40 per year. new bridges
have been built and old ones improved.
the waterworks have been purchased
by the city. city credit is restored. fire
protection has been improved. three
new schoolhouses have been built. a
fifteen acre park was purchased. the
paving is better. pickering disappeared
from city affairs. and prosperity and
progress resulted, and generally the
results were as satisfactory as in Gal
weston. This is all the more remarka-
BILE for the reason that there was lit
tie change in the personnel of the city
government. The mayor and some Of
the councilmen. as the commissioners
are called, were continued over from
the old regime. It was the new system.
therefore. that wrought the miracle.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1911-07-19
COMMISSION PLAN
IN MANY CITIES.
Results Of New Form Of Government
Uniformly Favorable.

The unvarying success Of the Gal
weston or Des Moines plan OF city gov
eminent has been so pronounced as al
most TO challenge belief. Here are the
actual records of few cities:
Gloucester Commission plan in eff
feet 1909. The first years report
showed all bills paid and reduction
In the city debt OF $4,000. It is claim
ed that the roads and streets have been
better kept at $4,000 less annual ex-
pense. The city bookkeeping has been
reformed, and the commissioners point
to a reduction in the expense of caring
for public property It is still too early
to demand much in the way Of tangi-
BILE results.
Haverhill.-Com plan in eff
feet in 1909 The first years report
under the new plan showed saving
OF $97 900 in running expenses. When
the commission took hold the financial
status of the city was very bad. 1t
had reached both its debt limit and
tax rate limit end was steadily falling
behind in its payments. Appeals were
being made TO the legislature for an
extension OF the tax rate limit, but
this extension has now become unnec-
essary. In addition the city has voted
no license. the revenue from the sa-
looms being no longer needed. The
commission has been fighting big
battle against the gas and electric
light monopolies to obtain lower rates
for the city and for private consumers
and has obtained from the people per-
mission to resort to municipal owner
ship if necessary. There was fierce
political opposition to the commission
at the expiration Of it's first term. but.
it was reelected. Party lines in Hav-
erhill, which was formerly Republic
an city. have been completely broken.
The commission consists OF two Dem
ocrats, two Republicans and Social
ist
Cedar Rapids, Ia.-Commission plan
in effect in 1908. The commission has
reduced the tax rate and the debt.
while making certain big improve
ments, such as the requirement OF
big island in the river out OF current
expenses instead of bond issues. The
island is for municipal buildings in
handsome park setting. in accordance
with a "city beautiful plan devised
by an expert. The police and fire de-
partment forces have been enlarged
despite the reduced tax rate.
Leavenworth. Kan.-Commission plan
in effect in 1905 The commission has
reduced the bonded indebtedness by
S112,95O while the tax rate has re-
manned stationary. Kansas is pro-
hibition state, but Leavenworth had
always defied the law and allowed the
saloons to exist, subject to periodical
fines which brought in $4,000 year.
The commission closed the saloons and
disposed OF this illegal revenue with
out disturbing the tax rate. Over $780,
600 was spent in special Improvements
the first year as against an average of
$4,000 in previous years. In the first
two years under the. new system six
miles of street were paved as against
twelve miles in the preceding twenty
five years.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1911-07-19
Probate of viii.

ESTATE OF CALEB H. MARSHALL.
STATE OF VERMONT District of Caledonia So.
The Honorable Probate Court for the Dis
trict ofCaledonia: To all persons interested
in the estate of Caleb H. Marshall, late of
ST. yohnsbury. in said district, deceased,
greeting:
AT a Probate Court, holden at ST. Johns
bury, within and for said district, on the 18th
day of July, A. d. GIL, an instrument pur-
porting to be the last will and testament of
Caleb II. Marshall, late of ST. Tohnsbury
in said District, deceased. was presented to
And it is ordered by said Court that the
goth day of July A. D. 1911, at the Probate
Office in said st. Johnsbury, be assigned for
proving said instrument; and that notice
thereof be given to all persons concerned, by
publishing this order three weeks successfully
in the CALIFORNIAN newspaper circulating
in that vicinity, in said District, previous to
the time appointed.
Therefore, you are hereby notified to APP
pear before said Court. at the time and place
aforesaid, and contest the probate of said
will, if you have cause.
Given under my hand at st. Johnsbury in
said District, this 9TH day of July. A. D.
1911.
WALTER P. SMITH, Judge.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1911-07-19
GREENSBORO.

Rev. and Mrs. Achenbach and Mr..
and Mrs. Darlington returned from
their vacation Saturday.
Mr.. and Mrs. B. Dow returned
from Glover Friday and go this week
to Montpelier for a few days visit.
Several farmers have finished hay
ing and report larger crop than last
year and of the best quality.
Mrs. Dufur and son, Norman, re-
turned Monday from a two weeks
vacation in New Hampshire.
B. M. Wiley is now shingling his
store.
The drouth appears to be broken
by the copious rains of Monday
afternoon and night.
The young ladies of the Presby-
terrain society gave strawberry So
cial on the parsonage lawn Thurs
day evening.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1911-07-19
REAL PUBLICITY DEMANDED.
United States Senate Passed a Radi
cal Election Reform.

Cal ELECTION RefOrm.
The most drastic campaign public
ity legislation ever passed in either
branch of Congress was adopted by
the Senate late Monday. practically
without dissenting vote. Using
the prediction publicity. bill passed
by the House of Representatives as
basis, the Senate constructed dur
ing the day proposed law with the
following important features
No candidate for the Senate or
House shall spend in the election
more than sum equal to ten cents
for each voter in his district or State
No senatorial candidate shall spend
total of more than $4,000 in the
primary and general election; and nc
candidate for the House shall spend
more than $4,000.
Publicity must be given to all pri-
mary campaign contributions and ex-
penditures.
All general election expenses must
be made public before the election,
beginning Is days before election,
and making publication each six
days until election.
All promises of political Jobs must
be made public.
The bill further makes it illegal to
promise political places in order to
secure election support, or to aid in
influencing the election of any mem
Der OF a State legislature
The bill probably will be the SUP
ject of prolonged conference between
the two houses. It originated in the
House as O. part CT the democratic
legislative program, and was de-
signed to require the publication OF
expenditures before election, which
is not required by the existing public
ity law
The Republicans in the House un-
successfully attempted to extend the
bill to cover primary election expens-
es. In the Senate Monday the pri-
mary election amendment, coupled
with more radical amendments, was
adopted with little opposition.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1911-07-19

THE OLD PLAN.
Government by a
mayor, some minor
elective officers and
a debating society
called a council"
Each officer has
power to block the
other officers. They
call it checks and
balances. Each Of
hcer blames the next
if you complain.
Needs a boss" to
hold the ramshackle
together.
The citizen has to
"go into politics" at
the sacrifice Of his
earning power be-
fore he counts.
Citiz en- S hip is a
learned profession.
Governm ent by
politicians instead of
government by the
peopie-oligarchy in
stead of democracy.
Petty officers cleo.
tive-too many Off
GERS elective-result-
ing in ambush ball
lots.
Good officials get
ting no credit.
Bad officials safe
ly lost in the shut
f1e and getting no
personal blame.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1911-07-19
WORKS WELL IN SMALL CITIES
Splendid Results of Commission Plan
In Texas Town.

Splendid Results of Commission Plan
In Texas Town.
Denison. Tex. affords a good exam
pie of the working of the commission
plan Of government in a small city.
Denison used to be a typical frontier
town. wide open as all outdoors. 1t is
asserted that it was a badly governed
city where pure politics was unknown
and where public spirit was dormant.
No street could be paved without the
consent of the property owners. and as
they feared to trust their funds with
the existing government the streets
went unpaved.
When Denison got chance TO say
whether it preferred a continuation of
the old system or the installation of a
new one the verdict was strong in IA
vor of the change. The first thing
done was to elect trustworthy men to
manage the affairs of the city. The
awakened public spirit began TO show
itself in all kinds of plans for improve
ment The wide open element left
town under the clean city regime. the
streets We're paved. a self supporting
municipal water system was establish
ed. and in other ways the citizens
proved that they could make a good
government when they were permitted
to use the proper kind of machinery
In Denison. as in nearly all other small
cities. there are only three commission
ers. one of whom bears the title of
mayor and draws a salary of $500.
while the other two get $500 each
All other officials are chosen by the
commission, being nominated by the
mayor and confirmed by the whole
commission
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1911-07-19
LECTURE ON PAGEANTs.
w. C. Langdon of The Russell Sage
Foundation Spoke at The Museum.

w. G. LangdOn of The Russell Sage
Foundation Spoke at The Museum.
William C. Langdon of the Russell
Sage foundation gave fine address
at the Fairbanks Museum Saturday
evening on "Pageantry." Mr.. Lang
don is the promoter and originator
of the pageant at Thetford. He
traced the history of pagea.ntry and
described the most notable pageants
in England and America during the
last few years. He explained in de-
tail the coming. event celebrating the
50th anniversary of the town of
Thetford He said that pageants are
given as help to solving the country
life problem. The one at Thetford
will present the history of the town
from the earliest days to the present
time. The people of Thetford are
very enthusiastic over it's presenta-
ton. He spoke also of the great val
ue of these community dramas in
promoting civic pride.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1911-07-19
EAST RYEGATE.

Mr.. and Mrs. C. M. Wallace spent
Sunday at Lake Morey
Mr.. and Mrs. Carol Chase have
moved into George Shortsleeves' ten
ement.
Merrill Gibson suffered severe at
tack CT blood poisoning in one foot
last week. 1t was caused by getting
poison of some kind into cut on his
heel. At last accounts it was doing
well.
Mrs. e. M. Willis of Concord is
visiting relatives here.
The paper mill will shut down next
Monday for repairs. A new con-
crete floor will be put in the machine
room.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1911-07-19
Ricker's Local Market.

The receipts at w. A! Ricker's market
for the week ending July II. 1911 were
Poultry, 800 lbs. q 10 to IL cents.
Lambs. 20 a to cents.
Hogs, 500 "a 51a to cents.
Cattle, 20 a / to 4 cents.
Calves, 400 a 3 to cents.
Mich cows. 27 O. $35 to $65.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1911-07-19
GASKILL.

E. H. Blodgett found valuable
heller dead as the result of thunder
storm Saturday.
T. Ruth EIodeett was at her home
in this place Sunday.
Several in this place are out of
water as the springs have failed
Haying is well underway. There
is not as much hay as last year.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1911-07-19

THE NEW PLAN.
Government by a
single compact COM
mission elected at
large. No other cleo
tive offices.
Nobody they can
blame but themselves
if you complain.
No lost motion-no
pulling and hauling.
Conspi cuous re-
sponsibility.
Each elective Off
GER a shining mark
for criticism: hence
sensitive responsive
government.
A short b allot.
Every citizen easily
masters his job on
election day. makes
m his own ticket
and knows what he
is doing.
Politicians out of
business-no need for
them.
No confusion, no
obscurity, no chance
for rascals to slip
through at election
time without detec-
ton.
Nonpartisan ballot.
Nominations all by
petition.
The people. with
out any moral revo-
luton or sacrifice of
earning power. sit
ting comfortably in
the boss chair.
Officials give good
government because
that's the way to
keep popular.
Initiative. referen-
dunn and recall for
emergencies.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1911-07-19

ferring these honors. through their
Inequalities of the DAY, and especi-
ally in the erection and dedication
of this appropriate and beautiful
monolith to mark our first en-
campment is most sensibly appreciat-
ed by the remnant few of the 500
soldiers who served in this regiment.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1911-07-19

We Think Hills R. & s. Ointment
is the most healing Ointment made.
We guarantee it. c. c. Bingham
and F. @. Landry.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1911-07-19
Killed by Auto

Rocky Point, R. T., July 17.-H.
P. Bangs, a Providence man, was
asleep in the tall grass outside the
baseball park when he was run over
and killed by an automobile driven by
William E : Hunter, negro, of Boston.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1911-07-19
ANSWERING LAST CALL
Civil War Veterans Are Fast Decreas
ing In New England

Boston, July 14.-veterans of the
Civil war and their dependents are
fast dying in New England. This is
shown by the report of Pension Agent
Hoitt for the year ending June 30.
His pension roll was decreased by
the elimination of 4748 names, and
the owners of 1923 of them died
There were Sc ,65S on the New Eng
land rolls a year ago. Now there are
"a 538. In the last fiscal year New
England pensioners drew So, 167, :
139 II.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1911-07-19
Committeeman Ryan Drops Dead

Waukesha, Wis July 14.-Tim-
othy E. Ryan, national Democratic
committeeman of Wisconsin, died of
heart failure while attending busi-
ness meeting of a corporation. He
was So years old.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1911-07-19
NEW AND OLD PLAN COMPARED

Parallel Column SHOWS Advantages of
Commission System.
TO gain some faint notion Of the SUI
periority Of the commission form Of
city government over the old regime
of ''boss." ward and partisan misgov-
eminent. glance at few of the fea-
lures of the two systems placed side
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1911-07-19
Trust Not /!

This is to give notice that hereafter shall
pay no bills contracted by Napoleon Liberty.
OSCAR LAVIGNE.
st. Johnsbury, VT, July IT. 1911.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-08-20
DauvilIe Tobacco Report.

Specihl 10 The TimeB- Dlspatch.l
panvilie. Va. August 19.-After a suspen-
sion OF month nd haT loose sales we're
resumed on the Danviile market on Tues
day, August IL. Tho offerings we're small
being composed almost entirely OF prim-
ihgs However an occasional lot of old to-
oacco was seen. The primings do not show
much color or quality. but are cleaner. and
nave rather more body than they had last
year. which would indicate that tho grow
Ing crop will be one OF good body. but
lacking in color.
Prices started Off from 81 to $3.50 per 100
pounds higher than last year. and when tho
quality Of prImings Ia considered they np-
pear high.
Tho favorable weather Of the past thrce
weeks has made very great improvement
In tho crr7. and tho present Indications are
That there Will he crop this year above
tho average in quality. but without any
great amount OF color. or course. every.
thing depends upon the weather from now
on MS to the kind OF crop. There has beon
fairly good movement In old tobacco dur
ing the past month. and the volume OF
amount.
The stocks OF old tobacco In the hands
OF dealers nro not large and the holders
are willing to accept very reasonable
pront on their offerings.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-08-20
Last About the Drought.

With these few remarks propose
to drop the drought subject. the long,
dry spell being now a thing Of the
past and there being many other more
pleasing subjects to discuss. was
talking the other day with a man in
one of the up country counties, who is
combination town business man and
country farmer. Being asked about the
late dryness in his section, he replied:
The drought and its effects on the
growing crops have been about as
much exaggerated as the average fish-
erman's account of his luck for q day
Of angling. or course. the crops have
been damaged to some extent. but the
rains of the past week or ten days
nave been all that could be asked, and
they have brought all the crops out
wonderfully Late corn will be big
success, tobacco will recover to a
great extent and the principal damage
that has been done has been to hay and
carly corn. And after all the short
ness of the crops Will be more than
made up for by the Increased prices
the farmers will get for their money
crops. Business is going to be just as
good this fall as 1t was last autumn,
possibly a little better. 1t Is already
so In my town and In my line"
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-08-20
INDUSTRIAL BRIEFLErs.
New Enterprises Shown. Up Eyery Day in
Three Home States

New Enterprises Showing Up Every Day In
Three Home States.
Nhattanooga, Tenn, August I9-Amone
the new southern Industries organized With
N me week past. as reported to the Trades
man. an Industrial journal OF tbi. civ ar.
the following: '' 80
Nirginia-Buena Vista. $4,000 orchard COM
Parry: Biz stone Gap. $50. 900 mine; Danyiiie
1900 hardware company; Harrsonburg'
-. :iS'v'o furnishing company: Leesburs, $50
W orchard company: Mount Ida {R d.
; aiIe,Nandria). s?5nooo realty company; Nor
ON s.a;oOo automobile company SIS 900 hay
ana grain company; Petersburg $50 600 rub
1er-ure company; Richmond. $4,000 paper
, oox factory $4,000 hat and cap factory
$4,000 realty company
west MISREPRESENTATION. 5000 hotel com.
.shy cascade $4,000 Hight and powsr
snnt: clay. $4,000 oil and gas companv.
,n ,a'' on 10000 realty company; Huntins.
mi siSSSS SAND s' and gravel company; Phil
North Caroilna--Ashcvilic. ta5. 900 eons,ro-
o" on e0'cpsny: Dallas; $4,000 publishing COM
eamy; oxford, $1,000 warehouse eomnsnn.
ea''so"ry' $4,000 motor car company.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-08-20
south.lde cotton rield..

The other day 1 saw on the farm
OF S. r. TuGsle. OF Charlotte county,
near Keysville. beautiful field OF cot
ton in delightful bloom. Mr.. Tugsle. a
native of the county. went to Texas
some years ago and made a healthy
fortune building railroads. Then. wise
and good man that he is. he came back
home. bought a farm. and has been for
few years past making several
blades of grass and other things grow
in Charlotte county soil where only
one sprouted before. Down in Texas
he. of course. found out all about how
to grow cotton, and now, the high
price Of the staple being attractive TO
him, he is successfully producing 1t. a
great deal of cotton is being grown
this year in Charlotte and Mecklen-
burg counties so much that 1t has be-
come necessary to establish ginner-
les at Chase City and South Hill.
Great indeed are the lands of South
side Virginia. They can grow any
thing that sells we'll. When cotton
is high they can make 1t. and If it goes
back to the and 7-cent mark.
then the farmers can drop the staple
and go to tobacco or the grains or the
grasses OF the anything else. for their
lands will grow all Of them.