Evening journal., 1911-06-24
COMMISSION FORM OF
CITY GOVERNMENT
By GeOrge Henry Dole.

By the commission form of city
government is meant that form in
which a small body of men are elee-
ter to take in charge the city's al
fairs instead of a Mayor and Coun-
Gil. the subordinate officers being fill
ed according to civil service rules.
Later we propose to consider the best
method of filling the subordinate Of
fees. but first it is necessary TO de-
termine how the Board of Commits
sioners should be formed
Doubtless all know that new char
ter is in progress of formation, which
the people may be called to vote upon.
All therefore should be familiar with
the different ways of constituting the
Commission so that the best form for
Wilmington may be demanded. There
are three forms which will be con-
sidered now. First, a Board Of five
Commissioners may be provided for.
Those most competent to advise, are
not now recommending more than
five Commissioners These five Com
missioners are at the head Of the
various departments of the city, one
taking in charge the city's finances,
another the public properties, ETC., etc.
These Commissioners are paid a fair
salary, provided for in the charter.
The one receiving the greatest num-
ber of votes becomes the chairman Of
the Board, or Mayor. Second, the
Board of Commissioners may be com
posed of but three members elected
by the vote of the people. They are
paid salaries, act as the heads OF de-
partments. their chairman being May
or. and they fill subordinate offices
just as when there are five Commits
sioners. There are very evident rea-
sons why this second form of Com
mission government is far better for
Wilmington than the first above men
toned We have all observed how
the various departments of our city
are at war with the Council. All Of
the subordinate departments of the
city are a part of the city. They
should not be thought of as indepen-
dent branches of the city They
should be subordinate 10 one head,
and that one head should be subordi-
nate to the people. The various de-
partments are best controlled and
made 10 contribute to the city's well
IaAt MutH Ant lNduN VI uNUdA AlAANAAAa
are filled by appointment and under
the control Of the Commissioners.
Now, If there are so many Commits
sioners that Commissioner is at the
head of each department, the Com
missioners are more tempted to ia
vor their respective departments to
the detriment of others The depart
ments should be managed without
partiality, and for the city as a unit. It
is evident that this is best done where
all the Commissioners are response
BILE directly for all of the departments,
and employees are at the head of the
departments.
The third form of Commission Gov
ernment that will be mentioned is
that where there are three or FIVE
Commissioners elected by the people,
and all serve without compensation.
In this form Of Commission Govern
ment, it is the duty Of the Commits
sioners to select competent men as
the heads Of all the departments that
are necessary.
The heads Of the departments are
responsible 10 all of the Commits
sioners alike, and the Commissioners
are responsible 70 the people The
advantages OF this form over the 9TH
ers is evident All of the citys in
terests rest alike In each Commits
sioner The Commissioners have no
temptation to discriminate between
] departments. They serve for the
city's good, and that is their reward.
We are sure that there will always
be plenty of competent men who
would be willing for the good Of the
city TO do the work of the Commis-
sioners. II this last form of Commis-
sion government is desired by the peo-
pie We commend it above all other
forms. It is easy to change from this
form 10 another where the Commits
siouers are paid, but II is difficult
to turn from other forms to this.