Arizona republican., 1913-09-14
Twenty-three Municipalities of Keystone State Adopt NOn-Partisan Form of Government and Await Election
EXIT MAYORS
 AND COUNCILS
New System Carries With
 It Direct Legis Ia tiOn Principles of Initiative
 and Referendum With Mayor and Commissioners
Especial to The Republican,

Especial to The Republican, ! PHILADELPHIA. Sept. 13.-What ] is considered to be in many respects 1 the most important political cam i laign ever waged in Pennsylvania virtually ended today Next Tuesday l a statewide primary will be held ! for the nomination Of candidates for 1 two superior court judges, for muni- | cpal officials of all the leading cities and officials of the sixty-seven coun- ties of the state
 Neither the governorship nor any other of the high offices of the state are involved in the contest. Never theless. the primary of next Tuesday ! and the regular election to follow in November threaten revolutionary re- suits and may lead to a complete re- alignment of the political forces and the changing of the political map of Pennsylvania.
 The primary will he operated under radical new laws designed to make it possible for the electorate to select efficient. progressive and unbossed candidates for public office The new election laws coupled with advanced ideas in municipal government which are to come into effect at the same time. are believed to sound the death Lne! of machine government.
 The last legislature provided for ra dical changes in the system of government in third-class cities, abol-
 shing the mayor and councils and establishing pure commission form ot government. In the primaries next Tuesday a mayor and four com missioners will be nominated to gov ern thte twenty-three third-class ci-
  ticns will be held in all the cities of PennsyNania except Philadelphia.
 The fight in Philadelphia centers about the election of cOuncilmen. county officials and nine municipal court judges. The municipal court is a new tribunal to try civil and criminal cases. The nine judges are to be chosen without regard to party affiliations
 The idea that machine government must be destroyed and that the new primary and election laws give op- Tortunity to bring about such de struction is paramount in the cam I:iign. In Philadelphia and in nearly all the other important communities. tie Washington party forces and the democratic party are united to over throw the so-called republican ma chine
 Added importance is given to the ! rimaries and election this year. as they are regarded as merely prepara tory to the election of United States senator and governor next year. The reform element believes that a victory of the fusion forces this year, es- Tecially in the republican stronghOlds of Philadelphia and Pittsburg, would make almost hopeless any successful fight next year by Senator Penrose for recollection, and would go far to- ward breaking down the control by the republican organization Of the state government.
 In Pitsburg there is no fusion and d triangular contest is being waged. Mayor Magee and William Finn, the Washington party state leader, have joined in the support of Congressman Stephen c Porter for mayor. while the republican faction that follows the leadership of Senator Oliver is behind the candidacy of Joseph Arm former director of public works The democrats have a candi- date in the field and the outcome of the primary. the hottest that Pitts burg has known in years. is filled with uncertainty.
 Among the cities which will nomi- nate candidates for commission off icers next Tuesday and elect them in