The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-07-07
THE FLAWS IN THE JEWEL

El1
 HE PRESENT system of city governmenet ancient and cumbersome But it is democratic and it does work Other cities have adopted commission plan which also democratic, and works better. fs
 From the commission plan the city manager plan been evolved The latter than the former and Amer lea has had less experience properly designed civ manager charter high centrazation with nigh type of democracy Public power to act promptly and efficiently public control increased correspondingly so that abuse of power checked
 When the commission plan proposed was for two cnef reasons Certain intelligent and progressive citizens lized that it necessary which Tor some time has occupied city They also desired for something the speed and efficiency of private on which would too readily to boss rule Since the to be rid of political machine system desired that would not contain the elements worse machine
 It would fall that city hall be cordial toward program that would clean outcy hall From the very begin ming therefore city hal opposed to the democratic com omission pan proposed by large body of sineresed It was necessary that this opposition should be coaked and kept in the background but it was there.
 In the beginning Mayor Wilson wanted the city manager plan He the city plan is best for peo- e This opinion perhaps his opinion mayor IS the in office of organization that brings benefits to people. Some sell automobiles city; has been multiplication of offices of which compar atvey useless There has been deniaby city hall is boon to considerable group persons of whom the the peculiar representative
 And how the did not want the plan, he did want the city plan So he both plans to be submitted to the people,
 The people voted for the commission planJ
 The people voted against the city manager plan
 Afterward the people voted by great maory mission plan charter which lacked being law only because the legislature had required per registered
 When in the spring of 1917 the legislature met again it not invited to put its consent upon the plan charter which the people had twice voted for.
 The mayor was there with his charer-he city man. plan charterwhich he thought bes for the people
 Here clear chain of evidence, proving that city hall wants kind of which the people did uding the people who had given the subject thought
 What the reason There must be difference between the two charters for if they just aike city hall would prefer than the other.
 Bear mind object the get rid of boss rule and prevent in future Bear in mind that boss rule , in possession of city hall
 The commission plan charter would have wiped out boss rule established commission of five men, responsible the the salary great enough of flee object to of ability These wielded power of government They voted by the familiar lan which gives each voter vote for each officer elected
 city manager plan will not discourage boss rule un less there is something like revolution It is carefully culaed to give the maximum advantage to city hall.
 The principle of vote is abolished system is used by which voter has three vote first third choice This gives advantage The drilled vote, the vote that will do exactly od longs to city hall
 The actual power of is not in the commission but in city appontive officer who cannot be
 The commission will not be an attractive place for ab will tend to degenerate into appanage to th
 city who will be the actual boss and head of the city < and who cannot be discharged by the people ].
 The city manager charter is about undemocraic possible to draw such instrument City Hall wants it. nobody else.
 City Hall with respect to the rank and file, would if they understood it The instrument aristocratc it automatically makes place the municipal subject the will of yet not elected and yet known. 4@5
 The person who becomes city will have opportunity start machine composed entirely of per who their promo .o him and to nobody else Tn ordinary job holder drawing public pay, will be voting off his official head
 matter of little importance The people of Bridge ordered charter to give better form of They offered charter made in dis their public mandate It is for the voters they will under the circumstances