The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-01-21
HOWE HAS A PLAN
Resolution to Give Cities Of
Kansas Self Government.
Senator Also Would Elect
County Officers ut Large.

Senator j. w. Howe OF DlckluSOu
county has introduced a resolution in
the senate providing for local self gov
eminent for cities and towns In Kan.
sas and for the adoption of municipal
charters and ordinances on approval
of the voters. Senator Howe will also
propose laws changing the method OF
electing county commissioners ana
township officers.
The Howe plan for a municipal
charter will call for an amendment
to the state constitution and his reso-
III ion will look to the submission OF
this resolution to the voters in 1917.
He would provide in his resolution Tor
the adoption Of the charter plan along
the same lines as Kansas towns now
change to the election of city COM
micsion. The cities would vote nrst
on question of whether they desired TO
name a commission to frame cnar-
ter. Should this plan be adopted the
city would then elect eleven persons
who shall constitute charter COM
mission.
Submit to Voters.
After the drafting If charter by
the commission, 1t must be submitted
to the voters for ratification. Changes
and amendments to the charter may
be proposed either at special or
regular election. Special elections
may be held on petitions for amend
ments within the period OF not less
than thirty days nor more than ninety
days after the petitions are filed and
approved by the city clerk. Fifteen
per cent of the electors of the town or
city are required to sign petitions call
ing for special election or subm1s-
sion at a regular election of any pro-
posed change in the municipal char
t.
How 1t worked in Abilene.
In tho sSnrfng
of 1913, the commissions manager
plan of government was put into prac-
tice. The person appointed as man
ager was Kenyon Riddle, acting at
that time as city engineer Due to
the fact, though. that Kansas had no
laws legalizing the newly created Of
flee, the plan had no foundation. and
its duration rested in the commission
ers hands. and on January 1. 1915
they ceased the practice of this new
plan.
1t is only necessary to say that dur
ing the existence of the plan in Abb
lene, there were savings made in con-
struction and maintenance to the
amount of $2.647.34.
And above all the work was not only
constructed of permanent materials,
but it occupies a position of perman-
ency, being to line and grade and ev-
cry account is taken for the future.
There are clear and concise records
of all underground work, thing
ignored in the past. The office of city
manager does not only serve the pres
ent generation to advantage. but also
the generation to come The COM
missioner manager plan has proven
itself a success in every city where it
was legaliZed.
The one great question which comes
up before the law making body of
Kansas during this session is Home
Rdie. which means az the name i'm
plies local government except in state
criminal laws and constitutional laws.
There is no state in the Union which
has a greater majority of rational cit
liens than has Kansas, and there is
no state with more independent self
supporting and self governing people
than Kansas; therefore it is in line
for home rule.
County COmmissi ners.
In addition to his plan for a mu-
nicipal charter, Senator Howe would
amend the law concerning the cleo
ton Of county commissioners. Under
the present law the commissioners are
elected to represent prescribed dis
tricts. The Abilene man would amend
the law to provide for the election of
commissioners from the county at
large.
Another. change which Senator
Howe proposes in, the present laws
will affect the election of township
officers. He will suggest a law pro-
viding that cities of the third class
shall not participate in township cleo
tons where the city is a part Of a
township.