The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-09-01
Prepare Death Blow For
 Commission Government
(Continued from Page 1.)

(Continued from Page 1.) act provides that matters of referen- dunn shall be submitted for popular vote not less than 60 nor more than
 90 days after the common council shall have voted to have after the adoption of resolution by the com mon council. The members of the commission had this in mind when prepared in time.
 Mayor Wilson in one of his recent messages to the common council said that he considered the change in charter government too important matter to come before the people at general election. It is known that on the very strength of that statement the members of the committee spent much time during the warm months trying to have their document ready in time for the general election. Clerk Hall today would not discuss the charter or its provisions Otaer than to say that he would submit it to the mayor late this afternoon. He would not comment on any phase of the conditions under which the char ter was drafted. He said that after the copy had reached the mayor a copy would be ready for public in spection in his offices in the Security building in Main street.
 The important clauses of the pro- posed commission form of government charter have been reported from time to time in these columns as the com mittee has considered and adopted them. What important changes if any have been placed in the final draft Clerk Hall of the committee would not make public today.
 The charter abolishes the common council and all the city departments. and provides for a government by mayor and four commissioners to be elected every four years by vote of the people. Each Is to receive s5,000 yearly salary. The law making power as far as ordinances for the public safety, health, etc, now known as city ordinances is to rest with majority vote of the mayor and the commis- sioners. Important legislation, bond issues, charter changes, etc., are to be made by referendum vote of the peo- pie. At least 20 per cent. of the total vote must be registered on an election day, before any proposition can be en- acted into legislation.
 Any voter by giving 10 per cent. of the total voters of the city as an en- dorsement may secure the considera- tion of any legislation he believes beneficial. He may also get nomina- ton for the office of comm missioner in the same manner, although no at- tempt is made to take away the pri- mary privileges of the old political parties.
 The recall of any commissioner or other official may be effected by a majority, if 60 per cent. of the voters pass on the matter. Any obnoxious law may be repealed after the same fashion.
 The auditor is to remain in a sep arate official to be elected by the peo- pie as the mayor and commissioners are elected but his tenure of office is to be during good behavior or while competent to discharge the duties of his office.
 The city clerks office is practically abolished by the new charter. His post will be filled by clerk under the direction of the mayor. The latter would work from o'clock in the morning 10 Tn the aIternOOn. Under the mayors supervision will be all departments. He will have charge of the purchaAmg of all city supplies for all departments and buy ing will be by competetive bids from the lowest bidder. The mayor will not have the power to waive tnls rule except by vote of the majority of the commission. This rule will apply to anything purchased for any city de- partment.
 The police and fire departm
 will be under one head. Public works, streets, lights. sewers, city engineers department, building commissioners, etc.. will be under another. The health and charities depart | ments will be combined in city vel | fare department. The public lilra.-y | and the parks. will also come unde r | this head.
 There will be a department of finance which will embrace the tax as- sessors, tax collectors, appraisal board, city treasurer, tax board and other departments which handle city funds.
 The office of a city auditor will be sep
 arate from this and he will be a
 checker-up in all departments. | The draft of the charter covers 145
 typewr1tten legal cap pages. It is the
 intention to have copies printed in
 pamphlet form and distributed for the information of the voters
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