The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1913-02-26
Representative Believes Com
mission Form of Govern
ment Bill Will Be Killed Or
vitality Amended.
POLITICS IN THIS
CITY up IN AIR"
Probably Candidates For
Mayor Are Withholding
Announcements Until Leg
islature Takes Action.

The Stotsenburg bill providing COM
mission form of government, which
passed the senate few weeks ago, is
up for second reading in the house and
the prospects are it will either be kill
ed on third reading or so amended as
to make it as ineffective as the Flem-
ing primary bill, which went through
the house last week.
The Stotsenburg measure applies
only to third class cities, which in
cludes Richmond, and it appears to
meet with general approval in all the
cities affected, especially Richmond,
Lafayette, Anderson and Muncie, but
the legislature of late has acquired the
habit of killing most measures which
conform to the popular demand.
What Crawford Says.
'The outlook for the commission
form Of government bill for third class
cities is not very bright" stated Joint
Representative Earl Crawford today in
long distance telephone conversa-
ton with the Palladium. II think the
fate of the business form Of govern
ment bill for Fort Wayne, a second
class city, which measure was killed in
the house yesterday, forecasts the fate
of the commission form bill. 1t was
poor policy to kill the Fort Wayne bill,
for the people of that city were anx-
ious to experiment with this new plan
Of government, which was originated
by the Fort Wayne Commercial Club.
If the house refused to give the peo-
pie of Fort Wayne what they wanted
there is not much prospect Of the
house giving the third class cities
what they want"
Municipal politics in Richmond are
delay of the house of representatives
in acting on the commission form ot
government bill, candidates for the va
rious offices holding back their an
nouncements until. they know just
what kind of government Richmond is
to have after this year. The only excep-
ton is DR.. Zimmerman who, as usual,
is ready to enter any kind Of race.
If the commission form bill is pass
ed partisan politics in municipal cleo
tions automatically ceases and there
would be no nominating elections and
conventions this coming spring and
summer, bat there would be an elec-
ton to determine whether the citizens
wanted to adopt the commission plan
or retain the present form of govern
ment. If the former system was de-
ciared for candidates for mayor and
commissioners would have their names
placed on the ticket by petition and
the election would be held at the regs
ular time. next November.
What Tho Outlook Is.
If commission government is denied
Richmond by the assembly the Pro-
gressive party will undoubtedly hold a
nominating primary, probably in May,
while the Democratic party would
most probably follow its usual custom
of selecting a slate at delegate con-
vention. Just what the Republicans
would do cannot be forecasted, but it
is doubtful if that party would name
its ticket at primary as has been the
custom for years, because of the poor
showing the party made in the cleo
tion last November. DR.. Zimmerman
has given out strong hints that he
would not be candidate for mayor on
the Republican ticket but would make
the race as an Independent. There Is
also talk of the Socialists placing a
ticket in the field because of the ex-
cellent showing that party made in
this city last fall.
City Controller Edward G. McMa-
han has announced that il the commits
sion form bill is defeated he will be a
candidate for the Progressive nomina-
tion for mayor, while if the bill goes
through he will be candidate for the
same office under the conditions pro-
vided. Cash Bean, well known Pro
gressive, will also be a candidate for
mayor, and the friends of former
County Recorder VIII Robbins, the
Progressive county chairman, are urg-
ing him to announce his candidacy.