The Donaldsonville chief., 1912-11-09
COMMISSION GOVERNMENT.
Important Features o. lew Plan Of
Municipal Administration Briefly
outIined-Digest Of law Passed
at Last Session Of Lsuisiana Leg
isIature.

In view of the interes manifested
locally in the commisspn form of
government, and the proHble submis-
sion to the voters of q proposition
to adopt this modern syAem of mu-
nicipal administration for Donald
sonville, we give spaceato the fol-
lowing excellent article Sn the SUBJ
Ject prepared by B. M.aHaryard, a
leading attorney Of Hammond, and
published in recent isue Of the
Louisiana Sun, Of ttIss own
The people of Hammond are now
face to face with the ksue of whether.
or not the new firm Of govern
ment for municipalities in Louisiana
will be more suitable han the present
form. The new pan is popularity
known as the Commission, form.
The question is squarely presented
in the mayors proclamation calling
a special election forfthis purpose.
Assuming that all legal require
ments necessary Tior to the is
suance Of the proclamation have
been strictly compiled with, it is a
most important thing to know some
thing Of the new Law by which it is
proposed to alter the basic principles
of the government Under which the
people here have always lived.
The new law is officially desig-
mated as Act 207, ofsthe general as
sembly of 1912. 1t provides in gen.
eral that all towns in Louisiana hav-
ing population Of 800 and more
may adopt the new brm of govern
ment. According to Is classification
Hammond would be aIcity of the sec
ond class, it having population OF
$500 and more. The law aims to
fix Individual responsibility on the
mayor and councilman. They will
each have entire oharge of some
particular department of the city's
affairs. If their official acts be-
come unsatisfactory they may be
removed from office. They can pass
no law giving franchise or i'm
portant grant unless it is ratified by
the people. Another good feature
is the provision that the voters may
submit to the council any law they
desire to pass. Should the council
fail to pass it in twenty days, it
must be submitted to an election.
Thus we have the Initiative,
referendum and recall in the new
act. 1t seems to provide every
thing the advocates of the commits
sion form of government have de-
sired It comes about as near plac-
ing the government of the city in
the hands Of the people as it is
possible to do.
l have made careful study of
the act as whole, going through 1t
section by section, and have pre-
pared in brief but accurate form all
the important features Of the new
plan as it will apply to Hammond.
If they are read carefully very
clear idea can be gained OF what the
changes in our city government will
be should the election be in favor Of
the adoption of Act 207 of 1912.
important Features of the New Law.
1. There will be a mayor and two
councilmen, elected at large.
2. There will be three depart
ments of government, viz: /, depart
ment Of public health and safety 2,
department of finance: 8, depart
ment Of parks and streets.
8. The mayor will be commission.
er of department / > one councilman
will be commissioner of department
2; and the remaining councilman will
be commissioner OF department &
4. The officers will be elected for
four years.
S. The salary Of the mayor shall
not exceed $1,000, nor that of the
counci1men $3.50 each.
S. The council will designate the
duties to be performed by the COM
Of the various depart