Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1912-01-19
COMMISSION FORM OF GOVERN
MENT A LEADING TOPIC.
FINE ADDRESS BY MAYOR FLEMING
Various Other Matters Pertaining r,
Welfare Of the City Are Dis
cussed.

| for the Commercial Clubs banquet
given last night at the opera house
and the gathering included the great
er number Of Ladysmith's enterpris-
ing business men and leading citiZ-
ems. A general air Of good fellow
ship prevailed.
Under the direction of George Kill
gore, most delectable repast was
provided, which all seemed to do full
justice to. The tables were covered
with homemade table-cloths, print
paper in long strips from the local
paper mill These supplied material
for the exhibition of skill in marks
manship.
When the banqueters were satiat-
ed of the viands set before them,
Glen H. Williams arose and gave a
very lucid and comprehensive talk
on the fundamental principles of the
commission form of government, ex-
planning also differences between the
original Galveston" form, the
slightly more radical form as adopt
ed by Houston, and the DesMoines
plan, which was more nearly follow
ed in drafting the Wisconsin law,
giving cities in this state the oppor
tunity of changing to the commission
plan if they SO desire The provis-
ions of the Wisconsin law were care
fully elucidated in detail by Mr..
Williams
The master of ceremonies, ] w
CaroW, then introduced the guest of
honor, Mayor John 3. Fleming, of
Eau Claire, who spoke on Results
in Eau Claire, Under the Commiss
ion Form" Mayor Fleming's address
was a convincing portrayal of the
benefits to be derived by a city un-
business of the municipality. He
took up the condition of Eau Claire's
finances at the time the city changed
to the new plan and demonstrated
by actual figures that the city had
profited greatly. The responsibility
had been centered upon few, said
Mr.. Fleming, with the result that
credit for any improvement that
might result was easily placed and
man who served the city efficient
ly achieved honor and received a
salary sufficient to pay him for the
time necessary to devote to the
city's business. By provisions for
the initiative, referendum and recall,
lily responsive to the will of the peo-
pie, and their large discretionary
powers are therefore no menace to
the best interests of the public. Eau
Claire's finances have been put il
vastly better condition under the
operation of the commission plan,
and there has been a marked i'm
provement in law observance and en-
forcement. Mr.. Fleming is a good
speaker and was given close atten
ton. He expressed himself as CRATE
full for the cordial reception rendered
him.
l.. E. McGill was the next speaker
and a discussion of the proposed pea
canning factory then ensued. Those
who had been working on this pro-
ject reported favorable progress in
getting the necessary acreage, but
more active workers were needed.
| w. C. Gerard presented the matter
of endeavoring to obtain for Lady
smith the next state encampment Of
the G. A. R. and his enthusiasm seem
ed to communicate itself to all pres
ent and a committee was appointed
to look into the matter. A short
poem composed by Mr.. Gerard about
J ten years ago, with Ladysmith as its
| theme, was read and made decided
| hit.
| Mention must also be made of the
excellent music rendered by the Lady
smith Concert band.