The Detroit times., 1913-05-17
Resolution for Submission Of
Election at Large Plan AS Alter
native Proposition Denied
Immediate Consideration
CHARTER BOARD ADOPTS
POLITICIANS PROGRAM
Provides for One Alderman from
Each Ward. With Minor Of.
fees Retained on Ballot


srance that he would favor submit
ting to the people an alternative
proposition for the election or nine
aldermen at large. instead OF one al
derman elected In each ward. and al
though several other men who voted
against the at-large scheme, Thurs
day, reiterated the statement, the
charter commission, Friday mor1ing.
by a vote Of 10 to 10. defeated q mo-
ton Of Commissioner DENLY ulat the
rules be suspended. so that rexo-
luton Of Commissioner Ingram pro-
viding for the alternative proposition
could be- considered without waiting
IS hours.
Those who voted to hold up the
giving Of assurance TO the people
that they would be given u chance
to vote on the question were: Burch.
Dandell. Fischer. Funk. Guthard.
hacker Kocher. Sxymanski, Tossy
aud Wesch. 1t was the same lineup
that defeated the at.large proposition
on Thursday, except that President
Dust voted with those In favor OF the
more modern plan.
In committee Of the whole, the
commission decided in favor Of the
minority report Of the three commit
tees 10 which the question OF cleo
tive officials was submitted. This
provides for the election OF mayor,
city clerk, a city treasurer. one
alderman from each ward, two
judges OF the recorders court. three
&c Justices and four justices OF
the peace.
There was considerable argument
on the city clerks office. Mr.. Bur-
ton spoke in favor OF making 1t ap.
pointive. and incidentally referred to
Thursdays proceedings.
Yesterday" he said. "a number Of
aldermen lowered about this room
like vultures. in the fear that We
would legislate them out OF their
Jobs.
The city clerk is seldom elected
for his capacity. but because he Is
good fellow The newspapers In the
last campaign did not refer to MIR.
I.indsay's qualifications for the job.
but pointed out that he was mem
Der OF st. Andrews society"
City Clerk Lindsay smiled and grew
rosy about the face and ears as sew
sral members declared that 1t was not
their intention to put him out or once
He tactfully declined to take part ia
the discussion. though an invitation
was extended.
President Dust said that II would
make q difference how the city clerk
Is appointed. He was unwilling TO
make him dependent on the common
council for his job. Mr.. Ingram. on
the other hand. pleaded for con-
centratiOn OF power In the council.
.nv 90 nf hA W
decided that the city clerk ought TO
be elected by the people. The city
treasurer followed. as a matter OF
course. The minority. seeing that 1t
lacked enough votes TO carry It's point,
was silent when the questions were
Int. There was no fight on any or
the other provisions, inasmuch as
there is no roll call In committee OF
the whole. and the progressives were
unable 10 put the reactionaries on
record.
There was an argument, however.
on the floor OF the commission when
the report OF the committee Of the
whole came up for adoption
This report means that there will
be 81 aldermen" said Mr.. DENLY.
They will be chosen, one In each
ward. That means that each citizen
will have l-2l OF vote on the legis-
lstive body, whereas II the council
were elected at large. he would have
100 per cent vote on that body.
have no objection however. to putting
the provision into the charter in its
present form. provided ! have assur-
ance that there will be submitted TO
the people an alternative proposition.
providing for the election OF small
council at large. Unless l have that
assurance. ! shall vote on the adop-
ton of the report Of the committee OF
the whole
Mr.. Guthard sprang to his feet. 1T
IL not proper TO bind the members TO
anything except what is before them,
hs shouted.
President Dust took the floor, and
,ried TO swing the reactionaries into
liue TO avoid the error they were max
ny.
Il have been perfectly willing to
have the people decide the matter,
le said we must permit the people
o rule themselves. | will certainly
vote to submit an alternative PROPOSE
lion to the people
Mr.. Tossy objected to an immediate
vote. He wanted time for study. He
said that both propositions might car
ry, and then where would the city be?
But there were other expressions
IN favor OF submitting the alternative
proposal; and finally Mr.. DENLY said:
II am satisfied with the expressions
OF four OF those who voted against
he at-large plan yesterday. and who
say they will vote to let the people
decide"
The committees report was then
sdopted unanimously.
But Mr.. Ingram was not satisfied
with verbal promise, He wanted TO
make sure. So he introduced a reso.
luton providing for an alternative
proposal for the election Of nine alder.
men-sElarge. President Dust ruled
that II must lie on The table for two
avs. Mr.. DENLY moved TO suspend
he rules. for the purpose o. imme-
date considerations and the motion
vas lost, 10 to 10. as has been de.
scribed
The reactionaries will be unable
-to hoid their position. however,
AGAINST President Dust's opposition
Many OF them. after the session. ex-
, cused their vote on the ground that
they didn't like to see Mr.. Dust's
word questioned" and thus prepared
hA