The Pensacola journal., 1913-01-10

Alderman o. ]. Semmes, who initia-
ted the movement in the city council
to take a vote on change in the form
of government, has drawn up a charter
under a commission form cf govern,
ment, which he will submit tonight tol
Il meeting of the special committee oe
which he is chairman, end afterwards
to the public meeting tt be held next
Monday night, when the public will be
given an opportunity Of hearing the
clauses read and making suggestions
for changes as they may see fit. The
charter as drawn by Alderman Semmes
is not to be submitted by him with the,
view of having it adopted without
changes, but merely to submit to the
committee, public and city council his
views on the kind OF government
suited for Pensacola. The clauses are
taken from various charters of cities
where the commission government is
in operation.
This charter provides for a govern
ment by three commissioners, and
provides that within three days after
the adoption of the charter the mayor
shall call an election to be held in not
less than thirty days. II this election
cannot be held prior 20 the terms Of
the present officials expiring next June,
then the officials are to remain in Of
flee until such time as the three COM
nissioners are elected and qualify.
The terms of the commissioners shall
be for three years, excepting the COM
missioner who received the lowest
number of votes and whose term shall
expire in June, 1915. The term Of the
Commissioner receiving the second
highest number of votes, whose term
expires in June, 1916, snd the COM
missioner receiving the highest number
of votes goes out of office In June, 1917.
Thereafter one commissioner shall be
elected each year. The bonds of the
commissioners shall be $4,000 and
they shall organize by eiecting one Of
their number mayor, who shall preside
at all meetings. but who shall not have
the right to veto any measure.
ASSIGNMENT OF DUTIES.
The commissioners at their first
meeting shall assign among them
selves their various duties. One shall
be known as police and fire commits
siOner," and who shall have charge Of
the departments of health, sanitation,
justice, pounds, police, plumbing, meat
and milk, weights and measure, in
spection and fire.
Another shall be known as COM
missioner of streets and public works.
and shall have under his special charge
the water works, sewers, garbage, har-
bor and wharves, streets and street
improvements. A third commissioner
shall be known as commissioner OF
finance and revenue" and shall have
charge of the accounts, revenues and
finances, public property. buildings and
institutions. lighting and electrical de-
partmencs, parks and Fairgrounds.
The salary of each of the commission
ers shall be $4,000 annually, payable
monthly.
APPOINT ALL OFFICERS.
The commissioners shall appoint all
officers, including the marshal. chief of
fire department, city physician, city at
torney. plumbing inspector, engineer,
superintendent of water works, build
ing inspector, electrician, tax collector,
tax assessor, or the combination OF, or
substitution for such officials. and
they shall be under the direct control
Of the commissioners. and each OF said
officers shall be subject to removal by
said board for incompetency, insubor-
dination, or any other good cause, IL
complaints or charges shall be pre-
fered against him, and upon trial