Arizona republican., 1915-04-06
A Fearful Possibility

The signed statement of the city commission printed by The Republican yesterday reeks with sophistry and false conclusions. For instance in advocating the aGopton today of the Notorious Nine" amendments it stated that the great power which proposed put into the hands of the commission could not be put to d bad It stated that the terms of the commissioners were short that two of their number would go out of office every year, and moreover, all of them all times subject recall.
 But that is much less than lGtii and not the half of the story. If the commission should be given this great power and should decide make bad of it. it could create political machine that could never be broken from side, for there could be organza ton against it. A party political machine might be overthrown but such a machine these amendments would make possible could fall to pieces last only suit of inside and corruption.
 With such an influence the comn!lssion could command, with absolute control all of the ap lointecs from the city down to the Jan itors and the stable boys. all equally under the commissions thumb of the commissioners could be recalled or defeated election long as the commissioners themselves should stand gether
 The statement continues with the assertion that
  charter vests in the city manager is left there. the city manager may build up machine. He could not do easily the compssion could under the proposed amendments and he would be much less likely to do so if he coud Iii the first place, the city manager has control over the city auditor, who is the chief check of the present sys- He has power the city magistrate. Then, there is always the power of the commission the city manager for We think all will agree that an attempt by the city manager to construct political machine within the city government would be sufficient cause for removal Any machine the might build would be helpless before power the charter gives to the commission.
 The manager would find O his chief advan- age gain reputation among the people for service. That would be much more profitable and would do hold him in his place than the strongest machine he could build If the manager disposed be crooked; it he inclined play into the hands of grasping contractors he could go far before his tracks would be dis covered. The auditor would find them, tho inissioners could rail to them, ana in short time the whole city would be looking at them.
 But if a commission vested with such power the Notorious Nine amendments would give should enter into collision with contractor to loot the treasury there would be early discovery The city manager would course know it and the auditor would know it; other city officials might know it. But with the grip of the commission upon official windpires they could not tell it. We do not think the people will vote today to open the door to graft.
 our remarks upon the 3uject of graft and it's possibilities in any way reflect upon the gentlemen composing the present commission or the hefOr he election commission. We believe they all honest men and would not make such improper use of such power as the amendments would bestow upon them. But if this power is given it will not be long until We have another class of men seeking membership of the commission: they will see in it opportun- itics worth their while.