Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-09-26
Continued from Page I.


his enemies. II a majority Of the peo-
pie don't want him for Chief Of Police
that would end it. According to the
recall amendment the Police Commits
sion would have to elect another man
and Chief Beavers wouldn't be an eli
gible candidate.
However, the initiative, referendum
and recall amendment does not end
with the possibility Of the recall #
Police Chief Beavers. Mayor Wood
ward, William NJ. Slaton. Superin-
tendent Of Schools; Nash r. Broyles
the whole Council, all board members
and all heads of departments are suo-
ject to the same procedure
Friends OF Chief Beavers declare
that II a movement is started to Gust
him they will start a petition to recall
Mayor Woodward.
The opponents OF Chief Beavers are
the same as the opponents Of Re
corder Broyles. They declare that the
reduction OF the Recorders power In
the election, cutting his fine limit
from $500 TO 5000 might be a sign
that he could be recalled
Alderman James T.. Warren. Mayor
Pro Tenn. is displeased at the result.
Foresees Complications.
Il advised members OF Council oe-
fore this measure passed the Legis-
lature that it would cause trouble"
he said. There is no telling where
the recall will end Its application to
officials elected by the people. officials
elected by Council and officials elect
ed by boz rds is certain to cause COM
pications."
II requires % per cent OF the regis
tered voters who were qualified as
eligible electors at the last general
election to call a recall election.
There were something over 1900
registered at the last general munich
pal election. 1t would require some
thing more than 5000 signatures 20
call an election on chief Beavers.
Legislation, however, can be mi
tiated by 10 per cent OF the regis
tered voters That insures vote by
the people next year on radical
form OF charter. More than 5000
voters sent signed cards to Council
last spring demanding a vote on a
radical charter, Council turned deaf
ears TO them. Now a few more than
one-hfth of that number can call m
election on any sort OF charter with
the same automatic precision that
they can call out the fire department
when a home liz burning.
It takes Is per cent OF the regis
tered voters TO call an election on an
ordinance that Council already has
passed But the referendum is least
important of the three
Some radical changes have taken
place in Atlanta's form OF govern
ment as the result of that election
wednesday when less than 1000 votes
were cast. The charge OF apathy was
made against the people, but it seems
that they builded better than they
knew.
Voter Has Greater Voice.
That the average everyday voter
has a much bigger voice in the af-
fairs Of his city as a result OF the
adoption of the initiative. referendum
and recall clause already is quite ap-
parent.
Yet It was all an accident. That
that is true is proved by a number OF
facts The birth Of three reforms
submitted in the election was purely
accidental. Each one OF them was
put into a form to be voted upon by
the people as a sort of last resort
affair to stop something else.
The ways OF politics always are
strange, but this is about the strang-
est political affair Atlanta has ever
OF Chief Beavers to his present post.
This charter came into being dur
ing the agitation by Mayor Wood
ward and citizens committee for
radical reforms last spring. II seemed
that the people were determined upon
some sort OF change. But Council has
no intention of ever permitting the
sort of. change that was proposed. So
the new charter that was voted down
Wednesday-bu then including the
initiative. referendum and recall
clause-was waved Oh high as saw
ing grace while the charter OF the cit
liens was pitched lightly into the
waste basket.
Doubtless the initiative. referendum
and recall clause would have Sone
down with II under an avalanche OF
votes. but il had other channels to
pass through. one ut them was the
hands Of Robert NJ. Blackburn. Rep
r"sentatiVe IN the Legislature
There the initiative, referendum and
recall clause was enacted into the or
game laws of Atlanta Mr. Black
burn did not know he was doing it.
but no one can gainsay that ne alone
IS responsible for this radical reform
being part OF the charter to-day.
Wanted to Kill Whole Charter.
Mr., Blackburn was opposed TO the
initiative. referendum and recall as a
principle of government He wanted
TO Kill the whole charter because that
was in it. But Council heard rum
blings Of another commission govern
ment fight. and Mr. Blackburn was
told that this section must stay in
he no 2 ha 9 hu,