Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-08-13
COMMISSION PLAN
SUCCESS IN TEXAS
Galveston Business Men Give
High Praise to City's Eff
cient Administration.
POLITICS IS ELIMINATED
City Is Governed by Nonpartisan
Commission, Which Has
Made Good"
POLITICS is ELIMINATED
ny JOSEPH l.. PIPER,

engage" III directing the affairs OF the
commission form Of city government
In galveston The city commission
mere Is simply board of directors.
elected At large by the qualified voters
of the entire city every two years.
This board is composed OF five practical
business men. each fully recognizing
the fact that economy and business
methods, not politics. should be en-
ployed in transacting the business af-
fairs of the city
The business that is being directed
oS these hve men. as agents for the
citizens of Galveston, can be briefly
summari rized as follows: Furnishing
the people with pure, wholesome water,
adequate sewerage. efficient police and
fire protection, well-lighted. clean and
well-paved streets, public hospital for
the city finances.
BUSINESS is DIVIDED
INTO FOUR DEPARTMENTS
The business of the city is divided
into four departments each depart-
ment being under the charge and dtrec-
tion Of a commissioner These four
commissioners and the Mayor. collec-
lively, constitute what is termed the
Board Of Commissioners of the CITY
of Galveston" The Mayor is the
president of the board and the execu-
tive head of the city government He
has all OF the rights, powers and duties
conferred upon the Office Of Mayor by
the Constitution and laws of the State.
has the right to vote upon all ques-
tions. but has no veto power. Ma
tority rule always prevails.
he
ing after their election. or as soon
thereafter as possible, by a majority
vote. designate from among their mem
bers one commissioner who shall be
known as Commissioner Of finance and
revenue" and under whose direction ia
placed the offices of the city assessor
and collector. the city treasurer and
city auditor. He is also charged with
the duty OF examining into and keep
ing Informed as to the finances OF the
city. and. with the advice and assist
ance OF the other members Of the boa ard,
he prepares the annual budget OF the
ofty. Great care is exercised in pre-
pairing the city budget. and it is never
exceeded in expenditures
COMMISSIONERS FOR WATER
AND SEWER SYSTEMS
<hiipSHtl commissioner is QeSlGnateQ
Commissioners OF water works and
sewerage" He has under his special
charge the construction, maintenance
and operation of the water works and
sewer system departments. The super
intendents OF these two departments
and the joint secretary and all en-
ployees are under the direction of this
commissioner
m a tS RI acir tod
as commissioner of streets and public
property" He has under his special
charge the supervision Of all matters
relating to the streets, alleys, public
parks and property belonging to the
city other than school property. and
is charged with the duty OF lighting
the streets, looking after street clean
ing and sanitation. the supervision OF
street paving, construction of drains.
and seeing that the conditions of tho
grant OF public franchises are complied
with. The city engineer and his as
sistants, city health physician. super
intendent OF drays, health inspectors
city sexton. sidewalk inspector and all
employees in these departments are
under the direction of this commits
sioner. Bids must he advertised for in
every instance where the expenditure
exceeds $500. and no bonds can be
issued without a favorable vote Of the
taxpayers.
POLICE AND FIRE UNDER
SINGLE ADMINISTRATIVE HEAD
The other. and fourth commissioner,
is designated police and fire commits
sioner." He has under his special
charge the enforcement of all police
regulations and the general supervision
over the police and fire departments.
The chief of police, police officers. chief
of fire department and firemen and the
judge and clerk of the Corporation
Court are under the direction OF this
commissioner.
The city secretary and city attorney
arc officers with whom the Mayor
President is closely associated. and are
usually nominated by him. All officers
and employees are nominated by the
commissioner in charge of the respec-
tive departments, and are elected by a
majority vote of the entire board.
The Mayor or any commissioner can
be removed from office for official mis-
conduct drunkenness or incompe tency
upon an approved charge made before
tho district judge.
Ordinances are drawn up by the city
attorney at the request of one or more
of the commissioners. or upon a petit
tion from the citizens. and are enacted
by majority vote of the Ave commits
sioners and publication for ten con-
secutive days in n local newspaper OF
general circulation.
CITY HAS ENJOYED
GREAT MATERIAL GROWTH
Although the unusual growth of CAL
weston. now the second port of Amer
lea. is not primarily due to the form
of municipal control in vogue much Of
the rapid progress OF the city during
the past fourteen years is direct
result of the commission form of gov
Continued on Second Page.)
TAKE, THE POPULAR C. & o..
Sunday outings to Old Point, Buckros
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