The Daytona daily news. [volume] (Daytona, Fla.) 1903-1926, 1915-12-01

ger form OF &NIernment anu mas SO
believed for many years. Such a form
of government was proposed by the
Daily News several years ago.
The Daily News does not believe
that Daytona should have the propos-
ed commission form of government
which is being endeavored to foist
upon the people of the city at the
election to be held january 4, next. 1t
believes that this charter WIS ill-advis-
ed, hastily and incompetently prepar-
ed, evidently by the use of paste
pot and pair of scissors. 1t was faith
cred by few disgruntled politicians
who pay little or no taxes and have
never made success of their own bus
mess. They were joined by few well
meaning people who seem to be look
ing for a Moses to lead them some
where they know not. With this pre-
lude and the further statement that
the Daily News is not controlled,
owned, coerced or under obligations of
any kind to any persQ4, firm, cor
poration. clique, ring Reorganization,
we will endeavor to digest and show
the evils of the proposed charter.
In discussing the commission form
of government to be voted on Janu-
airy 4th, it is we'll to remember that
it is not a new charter, but another
amendment to the already much
amended charters under which the
city is operating at the present time.
1t specifically provides that all acts
of the legislature not in conflict are
not repealed and thus makes even
iadefnite the terms and provis-
ions of our city government.
In taking up the proposed amend
ment we find first that the city coun-
Gil shall be composed of three men,
elected for three years, each draw
ing salary of fifteen hundred dol
lars. The powers of this council are
ito have, possess and exercise all
executive, legislative and judicial pow
ars and duties heretofore possessed
by the city of Daytona, etc." with the
power to FIX such subordinate Offices
as they may see fit, to fix the salaries
therefor" Each member of the coun.
Gil shall give to the duties of his Of
fee "all OF his time during business
hours and shall keep regular Office
hours of not less than one hour daily
except Sundays"
In this portion of the bill we find
an attempt made to vest all powers
of every kind and nature now possess
ed by the municipality as a municipal
corporation in this board OF three
men, elected for three years, giving
them specifically power to create as
many subordinate offices as they SEE
fit. with such salaries as they ma,
wish to vote, subject to no regula
tions or restrictions of any kind The
power thus granted is greater in it
scope than in any form of govern
ment except that of an absolute mon
archy, in that the free and unrestrair
salaries thereof would enable an
set of commissioners to build up a pc
litical machine that could never b
defeated, but the support of whic
would bankrupt the city. We do nc
say that the trainers of this bill ha
any such idea In view, but it is
most significant fact that while tn
*initiative, referendum, recall, an
other forms of control over the con
missioHers have been carefully il
serted, there is not a provision lir
tion. of Offices or in the salaries tn;
shall be paid
Along the line above discussed v
further find in article (c) of sectie
3a provision as follows: "The couno
shall have power to change or abe
ish all Offices heretofore existing
said city and shall by a MAORI
vote fill a position or remove any {
ficer" Croker and Tammany Hall
their palmiest days could not ha'
welded the power that it is propos,
to give these commissioners, Il
right without question. not only
create all the offices that they see
and pay the officers whatever tn
like but to abolish and change all
fees that have existed and by VIC
of two commissioners to Fill a pc
ton or remove any officer" The &c
ernor of the state of Florida has 4
the power to remove any one fro
Office without cause and that eau
must be stated; but it is proposed
give to two commissioners this rig
without requiring them to give a
reason or wherefor.
We find in article (d) Of the sal
section that certain Offices are spe
fed as being under the departing
of public affairs These Offices as ST
ed therein we presume are comp
sorry upon the commissioners to C