The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-05-09
|EW VO1INCPLAN
GAINS FRIENDS, J
BUT LOSES AGAIN:
Charter Board Refuses Second
Time to Let People Observe
Preferential Scheme
M. o. AMENDMENT is
UNDER DISCU SSiON
Several Changes Proposed in
Measure Adopted in the
April Election

Once again the question OF giving
the people or Detroit an opportunity
Of seeing how the preferential ballot
works was discussed in the charter
commission, Thursday morning, and
once again the plan VAS defeated.
though some VI the recaicitrant mem
beers OF the commission showed Dy
their speeches that the light is be-
ginning TO percoiate.
The question CAME up when Com
missioner Heating. who voted against
the plan Wednesday. moved TO recon
slider the vote by which IL Was de-
feateG. Mr.. Heating said that he had
thought ii over. and could see no
harm In the plan, though he had voted
against il on Wednesday.
Commissioner Guthard renewed MS
objection to the preferential ballot on
the ground tnat IL is TOO intricate, and
said that he is unable TO understand
It. Mr. Burton and Mr.. Ingram re-
piled that II is quite simple.
1T is no more difficult TO compre-
bend than our present election laws,
said Mr.. Burton.
1T is not our intention TO educate
the public Mr. Heating said. Mr.
Ferris intention is 10 determine
whether the public can comprehend
the system
Eve ought not 10 ask the newspa
pers TO do anything Mr.. Tossy, the
foe of newspapers, remarked III
they want TO conduct an election, let
'em do II without our request"
Mr.. Wesch. very red In the face.
burst into the discussion.
1T Is nay opinion that we amt done
q thing" he said You can't show
the people nothing what w done. We
are worse than lot OF schooiboys."
He declared that I'VE are not UNI
der the necessity OF borrowing plans
from Belgium and other countries"
Mr.. Ferris was given the floor, and
began: "ln South Africa"
Il move Mr. Ferris be sent to South
Africa" shouted Mr.. Wesch.
n There Is already n motion before
the house." ruled Chairman DENLY.
who presided In the absence OF Pres
ident Dust. The gentleman's mo-
ton will be put later"
Mr.. Ingram said: Il am sure that
ali the people OF Detroit who under
stand the preferential ballot are in
favor of It, and those who don't would
be In favor Of II II they did. have
discussed II with many people who
live where the system Ia in vogue. and
they say II Is simpler than our sys.
TEN. The. completely lies in the count
1ne, but even that Is simple when II
II understood.'
The reconsideration was defeated.
- to 10. Those who voted TO give the
PEOPLE OF Detroit an opportunity TO
experiment with the preferential vote
were: Ahern, Burch. Burton Campbell.
Ferris, Ingram, Heating, Merrell and
DENLY. Those who opposed the prop.
onttion we're Dandell, Fischer, Funk,
0uthard. Hacker. Kocher, Sxymanski.
TCosy, Wesch and Wreford. Mr. Wre-
ford, who voted In favor o: the plan,
Wednesday, said that he doubted the
eonstituti0nality of the preferential
vote, and r. against II until he IL con-
WINGED otherwise. Mr., Burch and Mr..
Keating are the new recruits In the
Progressive ranks. Mr.. Dust and Mr..
10y, who voted against the proposition
on Wednesday, were absent.
II u possible that proposal by Mr..
GxymansE may be adopted. He would
have Mr.. Ferris repeat before the
whole commission the explanation or
the preferential ballot which he gave
Tuesday before three committees, and
would then have the commission take
such . vote. II the plan then strikes