The Sentinel=record., 1914-10-04

was cOncluSlNe, since WnlCn tune special legislation has run riot in the state, the constitutional inhibition be ing consistently ignored, and the principle of local self-government treated with scorn If we ever hope to see our legislatures actively inter ested in wholesome general laws, we will have to relieve them utterly of the vexatous and troublesome prob lem of local legislation. Why should such cities as Little Rock, Helena, Pine Bluff or Hot Springs; such coun- ties as Pulaski, Jefferson. Lee or Sebastian, be denied the right to make such internal improvements as they desire. because there are other cities and countries which do not need the same character of improvements or are not in position to make the venture2 Why if the citizens of Pulski want better roads. should the citizens of Polk have a right to ob-
 ject? And why should 1t concern tho
 good people of Hot Springs if the people of Mena should tax themselves
 for park improvements? 1t must be
 conceded by those who keep in touch
 with the public conscience that the
 trend of popular opinion is toward the
 use of more practical. common-sense
 business methods in the administra-
 ton of governmental affairs, The de-
 cree has gone forth, the entering
 wedge has been driven. the old theory
 of implied consent is no longer i'm. pervious to attack. New methods are
 being proposed to be applied to old
 principles, and these but emphasize
 the importance of other changes. The
 new-old idea of self government is an
 all-absorbing theme It had it's origin
 in the free institutions founded by the
 Anglo Saxon race. and the principle of
 leaving to each local community the
 due administration of the affairs in
 which it had an eXceptive, peculiar
 and local interest is one that should
 be very dear to each of us, for it in
 wolves questions of vital importance
 Ito our home and community life. Thls placing of the more immediate con.
 trol of affairs in the hands of the peo-
 pe themselves has recently been at
 tempted In our state by the Initiative and Referendum Amendment. At the
 time this amendment was before the
 people for adoption. many thought it's
 provisions would apply to local as
 well as to state affairs, but when it came before the Supreme Court fol the court held that it's
 provisions were not applicable to
 cities and counties as such, and could only be invoked in matters affecting
 the state as a whole. The amend
 ment thus construed, makes it so un
 wieldly and slow as means of cor
 rection that it is of but little prac tical use for the purpose intended. But. as it was adopted by an over whelming vote. we must assume that the people desire that it should be made an active force in our system This can be accomplished only by making changes that will provide an l Improved plan of government for oui cities and counties. This plan should
 be local self-government. aided by the principles of the Initiative and Refer endum Amendment would mean that | the business of government insofar
 as it affects peculiar local affairs, will \ he in the hands of the people; that | all necessary instruments for such government will be initiated, directed | and controlled by their intelligence and common sense. During the past few years what is known as the
 commission form of government" has spread with marvellous rapidity. hun dreds of cities and towns having Iadopted it. This is nothing more nor | less than local self-government or ihome rule So far as I know, no city
 that has tried this plan has returned | to its former method There are. of course, many differences of detail, Ibut the main idea is the same in all Just recently. Governor Hodges sent
 q message to tho Kansas legislature 1 suggesting the abolition of the Senate | anu IlpuNt anu Allt SthbolllNAlbll Oi LillN l form of government. Of course, such a proposition is radical and revolu | tionary as applicable to the entire system of state government. but at
 the same time significant, because it
 shows that in different parts of the country men are considering ways of
 increasing the efficiency of state gov ernment In Tennessee where the commission form has been adopted in many of the cities, the people are soon
 10 vote on a proposal to abolish their county courts and substitute county commission government. and the Chattanooga Times, discussing the proposed change. among other things,
 says; "Ihe chief merit of the com
 mission as provided in the proposed
 law lies in the concentration of all.
 thority and responsibility. The chief
 attraction is that it means business
 execution and economy in admins.
 tration, that the adoption of com
 mission government will enable tns
 people to lay their hands at once up-
 on the authority responsible for any