The Alaska daily empire., 1916-03-01
THE SPECIAL ELECTION

In another column Is an article by correspondent which crtic.ses she City Council for submitting to the people tho question Of adopting only part of the statute that was passed by tho Legislature. permitting mu nicipaiites in Alaska to elect certain officials Instead of having them appointed by the City Council as has heen the custom in Alaska under the Federal municipal incorporation act.
 There were two very good reasoas for the action of the City Council h the first place, the majority of the members favor the election of the Mayor and members of the City Council by the people and the sp pOlntment of the Clerk. Attorney chietocPolice ard other officers by the Council. In the next place the Council had been pettoned only to submit the question of adding two of the sections of the Territorial statute to the organic act of the city In other words the pet toners whose request was the basis for calling the election. were only interested in the two sections those providing for the election of Mayor by the peo pe instead Of by the Council and for the election of councmen for twoyear terms. with three of them to hold over 1T those who would like to have the Clerk and the Treasurer and other officers elected by the people instead of appointed by the Council. should present petition as they permitted to do by the statute in question: an election doubtless would be pro vded so that the people could decide that question also
 The City Council acted within the Jaw. Under the petition as presented It. It could not have called an election on the other sections of the stsute which pro vdes specifically that any section be adopted sep arately
 Further than that The Empire agrees fully with the position Of majority of the present Council and the petitioners who asked the Council to submit the question of changing the charter to provide for the election of Mayor and for tho election of only Mayor and three Councmen-after the next election each year. It believes that these provisions should be adopted and 1t believes that the other officials should be selected by and be responsible to the City Council
 The City Council should have full control tho City Clerk Chief of Police Attorney City Engineer and oth CT ministerial officers the City, and It should have power to discharge them when 1t believes that the city would be served thereby Responsible government de- msnds that Under the law tho government of Alaskan cities IS practically the commission goyernmena form of government that in force in more than half of the large cities of the United States and which Is reforming municipal government in this country It s
 form of government that centralizes authority and re- sponsibfity Under 1t the people know whom to hold responsible for deficiencies In government and under 1t those responsible to the people for good government have the necessary power and authority to give good government
 The provision that permits the people to elect Mayor separately from the other members of the City Council. while not vital matter. $ proper It will re- neve City Councils of task that often has caused di vision among them and permit the people to say who shah be the tular head the city On tho other hand 1t does not divide the responsibility for good ment because the Mayor also part of the legislative and administrative authority.
 The provision that three members of the City COun- ell shall hold over permitting only the election of iority each year. Is also wise It win make 1t that there will always be at least minority Of the Council who have had at least one years experience in the cltys government-men who are familiar with munici pal affairs.
 It should be remembered. however. in this cOnnec- ton that the new arrangement will have nothing to do with the present councilmen. If the proposals that win be submitted to the special election March 18th carry as they should there will be SIX ccuncilmen and
 Mayor to choose at the election in April Three of the counciImen elected at that time will be chosen by lot for the twoyear term and three to year At all future elections Mayor wnl be elected for one year and three councIInen for two years.