New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-06-05
TRENTON TO TRY FIRST.
Election for Commission Form OF
Government June 20.
THE AGITATION STATEWIDE
other New Jersey Municipalities
Eagerly Awaiting Outcome
at Capital City.

From the Regular Correspondent OF The Tribune
Trenton, n. j., June 4-The agitation Tor
q commission form OF government mas
taken firm hold on the citizens OF many
OF the larger cities Of this state, and ne
fore the present month has passed at least
two of them will submit the question 10
tho voters. These two cities are Trenton
and Bayonne. where petitions calling for Il
special election. signed by the requisite
number Of voters, will he filed this week
Under the Walsh bill. passed by the re-
cent legislature, before the voters can get
a chance to say whether they want cum
mission government a petition. signed py
% per cent Of the voters at the last eeher'i
election requesting special eiectloh VI.
the subject must be filed with 'he clerk Vi
the municipality. In Trenton approximate
ly 1900 votes were cast at the last genera
election. making necessary something me
700 names TO the petition. THIS nuinoei
was obtained last night, much TO the JOY
of the advocates of this form OF govern
nert. and II will be filed with city Clerk
colter to-uorrow morning. The petition
asks that the election be held on June 20.
The Beyonne petition will be fileo shortIE'
In addition 10 Trenton and Bayonne, &C
tive movements for the adoption Oh tne
commission form Of government are under
wav in Jersey city, Elizapeth' fassaiO'
Plainfield and Hoboken. and so strenuous
has been the work OF the advocates III inc
two Hudson County cities that II Is eA-
nected that they, too. will have the requi-
site number OF signers 70 the petitions De-
fore many days have passed.
9. ha
sion government plan are 1ublant over the"
s,,ccaes in obtaining signatures 10 their Pc
,i,ion They say there is hardly DOUBT
that the voters will approve the pan en-
,,oks tbe capital Of New Jersey the nrst
municipality in the state 10 ADOPT tlilS -
tenn of government. As II is now the MH0'e
thing is in the hands OF the people OF ieii
ron themselves. II they want fhis 1orih
., government all they have 10 do IS 10 eo
n the polls and vote for H.
Tho success of the movement in the STATE
will, of course, depend largely on tne
suit Of the election in Trenton that ueins
the first municipality in the state 10 hoiu
an election on II. If the voters uo h'.
take any interest in the movement anu
e+av away from the polls, II VIII nave II -
believed. q depressing effect on the com
mission government advocates IN othe'
o,,,.s and the movement will receive
go. se,hack If. however. the voters OF
Trenton approve Of the plan py
vote. il will receive an impetus
will. in all probability. mean its adop'i0H
hv all Of the larger cities Of the state
Tho initiative. the referendum ana the
recall are provided for in the w ish pli'
Of
which supplants the present form Oh mum
oi,aI government with a commission u
o,,bor three or FIVE members. Where hVe
commissioners are chosen, the government
q di,.,d.d into department ot puohc
r,;rs q department of revenue anu
e.noa denertnent of public safety
,o.ar,roa,t ~ streets and public improve
vents and department OF parks anu
nubljc property. Should only three 0oiii
nissioners be chosen the departments Oh
r,,b,c affairs and public safety the oe
,,,r,,,ents Of streets and public improve
r,epts and the departments OF parks anu
nub,ic property are consolidated.
A.. the first meeting Of the commission
,,,ar eIection. one Of their NUMBER Is
ohoser az Mayor" but his duties are
r,orelv m nreside at meetings OF the com
,,ieeior In order 70 remove conmls-
.,,nor before the expiration of his term
sracia, election may be held providing
= na,,,,on signed by % per cent Of the
,.ot.rs at the preceding general election
and giving the reasons Tor the RETAIL -
Nled The commissioner whom II IS soush'
n recall. however, may be candidate 10
succeed himself.