The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-09-10
DANISH THE .'SYsTEN"
u CONTINUED F ROM PAGE SIX.

any ordnance or franchise which the people approve
submitted to vote upon petition by the people.
In fact the people of Famont have the opportunity of taking their
government in their own hands any if they choose
NO such opportunity before presented the voters of Fair
be given them. i, 0
you had told voters of Fairmont wear ago that thew ou
nave tne opportunity to adopt the initiative referendum and
them would have said You crazy such thing impossible
Out nevertheless I the opportunity is here and is the charter plainly
written as black ink and white paper will stay there YOU
can secure enough votes for the charter to pass it. 4,
OTHER ADVANTAGES
The advantages Of the paving regulations are appant every
person VINO wants local self government and who give city
smpe power to do all necessary improving city Under the present
charter paving is done under the State law of 1895 the city power
less 10 pave any street except the petition the
representing at least half of the frontage upon streets Under these
conditions the improvement could be blocked the middle any street
in the city Under the law which modelled after the act of the m
sare of 1908 the y given power go on with street
when deemed necessary eXpdnt and the city may issue bonds for
that purpose but only the of hreet of the voters
Liberal provisions made paying of paving assessments
the payments may be strung out for ten yearly nsnens
ing it very slight burden the property liberal
explicit in describing The in which these improvements can be
done and paid for that will the city possibly many useless law
suits paving matter which have been expensive city in the
Huntington the paved city e State the streets are longer
WIDER st'ahe amt more level and enthusiastic have been the @
Sens oven making improvements there to the streets that has diff
cult for the city to keep up its part of the work paving intersections
cross streets
MUST STAY ON THE JOB
Under the charter the commissioners required keep offices
at the city hall and be there every day for the of the business
Of the city, o.,
They are required to meet once week
They required take an oath not make any appointments
subordinate officials in the interest of political party
They prohibited from entering into any contract with the
furnish any supplies to the city
They required deposit the the city some bank of the
city that will or more interest upon such deposits
require the bank give bond for the security deposits
10, DEBT LIMIT 5 PER CENT.
The limit of Indebtedness of the city any every purpose what
placed at per cent of the assessed value of the taxable property
cf the city. ..s..
The members he prohibited from holding any other
Office position which will conflict with their public duties
None Of the foregoing provisions made in the city charter
POWER OVER PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION.
Another provision of the charter that should appeal every
the power the city given regulate public service corporations The
city only given The power and operate public utilities
but given absolute power to fix and regulate the price these corpora
lions charge for service On that point the charter says
The city given the to erect lease authorize p
the erection of works telephone plants electric light works fer
boats the city, and operate tile and sell the products
thereof and do and all things necessary and incidental
the conduct of such business including the right any franchise here
after granted TO FIX AND CHANGE THE CHARGES AND PRICES FOR
WHICH THE SERVICE OR ARTICLE OF THE PERSON OR COMPANY
OPERATING ANY SUCH PLANTS OR WORKS OR ANY OTHER PUBLIC
UTILITIES OR PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION UNDER SUCH FUTURE
FRANCHISE MAY BE HAD BY THEIR PATRONS OR CONSUMERS
AS TO SALARIES.
Some criticism has been made of the salaries being large but
when it known that cannot get good business
this city for less money the economy paying adequate salaries
parent . i.,r.f ..
One member of The city council who himself good and successful
business said the other day that he had attended enough council meet
ngs know that four good could easily times their
salaries by looking after the business of the city in
Cedar Rapids Iowa spending than the income of the
city Famon doing when the commission form government
adopted there The debt $4,000 and after three years Of
for public Improvements than had been spent for such purposes during
the years preceding The city paid in these three $15OO0 of
the bonded debt city pay rolls weekly and paid all bills against the
city taking cash discount The city employed people and paid
higher wages than before
The city of Farmon established business basis could do the
and this would the $500 that estimated this be
sary pay the outstanding city orders that have been Endorsed
This item alone will almost pay the salaries Of all the
missioners.
The proper business management of the waterwors would than
enough pay all these salaries You cannot get work for
the city at 500 the salary paid the counCmen
THE RECALL
The recall the saving clause this charter Woodrow wilson
says it the shotgun behind the door may be needed but the
experience all other cities that where is ready be used
any that the officials careful to give good government
prominent attorney FarmOn said When conditions sol
bad they could change could do HARM Do you
change! for the charter bill September Is. -
THE INITIATIVE REFERENDUM AND RECALL
there could be found other good feature of this charter the fact
contains the initiative referendum and recall ought commend it
people want the payers rent payers Famon have
possible say about their government In fact these prOyisons
place the city absolutely the hands of the voters
They and unmake administration They by recall