Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1913-11-21
Continued from page one)

uc DIouSht UP h'poi'N'9 Va ~
daily press were present aud the !
journals of the next morning gave
full particulars of the interchange OF
ideas. If the subject seemed very
important and difficult, leading clti-
zens were invited by letter or ad-
vertisement to attend and give their
views. As an exampl of thorough dis
cussion il may be mentioned that an
ordinance in relation to sewerage and
drainage which was which was pro-
posed in 1881, was debated upward
of one year, and hearing given to
every friend or opponent of the
measure who desired to express his
viws.
No system of government can pre-
tend to be perfect; and the charter
of 1870 could not satisfy every one.
1t was asserted that the council un-
der the charter was too small and too
easily controlled by the interests for
private or corporate gain. No pre-
pondrance of evidence. however. of
this assertion ever appeared. The
administrators as n rule were citi-
Gems prominent either in business or
politics and as such, were far more
amendable to public opinion than the
ordinary councilmen of the average
American city. Their methods were
essentially businesslike and their leg
hslation as n whole was character
lied by public spirit and progress,
II is Il matter of regret that the
administrative system could not have
been continued longer than il was,
hut after the adoption of the new
state constitution in 1879, powerful
pressure for a complete change was
established by local politicians, st
in June, 1882. new and present
system of government was adopted
In the preparation of this paper
have read the reports from a num-
her of cities. Galveston, Texas. De'
Moines. Iowa. Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Dallas. Texas. Ardmore. Oklahoma
Topeka. Leavenworth and Wichita
Kansas. and many other cities iron
the extre.ne east to the Pacific coas
are looking to this system A. tn
solution of municipal control.
think that perhaps ! could d'
no better than to explain the De-
Moines plan of government to yo
for. as it has been sad, il contains al
that the Galveston has of merit witt
some things in which the Galveston
charter is lacking. ! emphasize tn
Galveston charter because il is tn
rule the discussions TO credit Gal
weston as the pioneer along this lin
of municipal government by com
mission,
First: Upon the petition of TWEEN
tv-fve percent of the voting elcctor
ate. the Des Moines plan of govern
ment is submitted in cities of the fir,
class to direct vote of the peopI
for adoption or rejection. And sin
iiarly. upon petition an opportumt
NAV be secured To vote on the abanc
onnent of the plan al any time aft,
il has been in operation for >iy year
Second: The mayor and foI
councimen are nominated by gel
eral non-partisan primary elecho
that j., they are nominated by Il
electorate at large al primary cIe'
ton in which ballots are used col
tanning no party mark, whateve
And these same officers are elect,
biennially at large, that i, on
general ticket.
Third: The members of the cou
eli may be removed or recalled
any time by the electorate. For
is provided that upon the petition
twenty-five percent of the votil
electorate the question of the +
moval Of the Incumbent of any Gle
tive office is submitted to Il dire
vote Of the people.
Fourth: Proposed ordinances m
be submitted to the council throu
petition, from the electorate a
such proposed ordinances if
passed by the council are submit
without alienation to a direct V,
Of the people. Furthermore, ord
ances proposed by petition or viii
have been adopted by n vote of
people.
Fifth: No ordinance passed
the council Except in certain ca
particularly mentioned) shall go
to effect before ten days from
time Of its final passage, and II d
ing said ten days u petition signed
at least twenty-five percent of
voting electorate is presented to
council protesting against the pa
age of such ordinance, the same 81
be suspended from going into ope