Golden Valley chronicle. (Beach, Billings County, N.D.) 1905-1916, 1913-08-29

~, I9I3
chise seekers and have often made
men rich. It 10 not beyond the
realm of probability that such op-
portunities may occur in the young
city Of Beach. The city can guard
itself in no surer or better way
than under the initiative and the
referendum. AZ long as they
have the power they will hardly
be called upon to use it.
Another remedy is the recall.
There are many who believe this
remedy should be applied to all
officers in the United States.
county. state and national. and
even to judicial officer. What
ever its demerits arc. when ap-
Piled to the national. state and
judiciary. does not hol'i when ap-
piled to the mere administrative
officers of a municipality. The
decorate of a city have certainly
a eh;,nce to know directly its
needs. They are di.cc:ly cGert-
cd. The opportunity to vote
right is open and their chance for
observation is personal. That
enn hardly be said in a recall of
jud e:es where they might be call
ed TO ass judgment upon the alb
struce questions of law.
Ample Power Given to the Only
Officers, the Commissioners TO
Act Directly and Individual
ly for the Common Good.
The only officers elected by
the voters Of a city under the
commission form of government.
are FIVE commissioners, one OF
whom is president of the board.
and one Of whom is commissioner
of fire and police. one of streets
and improvements. one of water
works and sewers. and one oi
finance and revenue.
Each has general control of hi.
department. All sit together,
and as the city council. pass or.
dinances and appoint the othe,
officers. Being the only elective
officers and having the power tc
remove the other officers as well
as any commissioner for neglect
without the exercise of the recall
they have more power than the
members of a city council unde,
the old system. The responsible.
ity under the old system is every.
body's responsibility and the onl,
good government in a city car
J come from unity which often take.
the place Of ring. Under tn.
commission form each commits
sioner acts directly and individ
ually. has his own particular re
sponsibility and knows that tn.
eyes Of the voters of the city ar.
directly on him, and that. if h.
does not make good, he will b.
fired, either by the remaining
members of the board or by thu
people under the recall. Tn.
hindrances that would otherwis.
obstruct his actions are removed
and he has a free hand so lon{
as he does what is right.
Had such a system been II
vouge in the city of Beach on.
year ago instead of the irrespon
sible system that we have at pres
ent. the policemen would hav.
been fired and it would have beer
a Godsend to the city of Beach.
i Here too the remedy provides
its own cure. Where the t=nur.
of office depends upon faithful
ness. the officer will not often b,
recalled. No one should hav.
any property in an Office. No
may years ago they were propert,
and sold. They are now publ.
trusts. Those for whom they
exist should always have contro
of them. This control in munich
palities should be direct. 1t is &C
complished by means of the re
call. not so much so by its opera
ton and work as by its very exis
tence. This preserves popula,
government in cities by keeping
power in lhe hands always oi
those who have as good and com
plete opportunity to know wha
is for the common good. as th.
officers themselves.
What has been said relative te
the time for which the commits
sioners are elected illustrates the
chances for a good commissions,
1 Continued on last page.)