Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-11-05
MAYOR DISCUSSES
CIVIC MATTERS AT
WOMAN'S CLUB TODAY


Office under it is good. The commits
sion form has several good things in
il which probably makes it an ad-
vance over the aldernaaic form,
among them being the provision that
all public franchises before going in
TO effect shall be ratified by the vote
of the people which means that the
people can protect themselves against
pernicious franchises when "a city
council ii corruptible might vote away
the rights of the people in favor of
utility companies usually ready to
get unjust advantages for them
selves.
And as of as much Importance un-
der the commission form is the in
itiative and referendum
THE initiative means that per
contage Of the people not less than
- per cent of the number voting for
mayor at the last election can by pc.
tition compel the council to pass any
ordinance they desire, or if the coun.
ell fails to do so within thirty days
then submit the ordinance to a vote
of the people and If a majority at n
general or special election vote there
for it becomes law Interchangeable or
not subject u repeal except by a
majority vote of the people. Or any
member over 10 per cent can init
late an ordinance at any general cleo
ton if the council fails to pass same
"In reverse thereof, the referen-
dunn means that by petition of ten
per cent Of mayors vote any ordi
nance enacted by the council may be
put to a vote of the people. and if a
majority Of the voters vote against
it it will be annuled. This is a
powerful weapon, both the initiative
and referendum, and leaves the real
destiny Of a city in the hands Of the
people and the women Of Ottawa have
fa9 much voice in these matters az
the men
'"TlIe appointment OF all city officers
by the council as is done under the
com ission plan if wisely used taReS
! out of,tpolitics to some degree tn,
men Who. largely serve YOU and al
least will usually mean better class
OF men and better government thar
'l'' nbEiiNN VI 'ItLtilS tliCl NDuit
bring
The burden of the success Of al
administration is by many people
placed at the door Of the mayor. yet
Whilc he may oversee the various de
rartments, he has ~ power to veto
any measure and his voting strength
! is no greater than that of any com
missioner, and a majority of the
council must be with him, or a ma
iority of the people back him up b,
their votes on franchises or ordi
nances or any project he might de
/ sire may fail, and tho same Is tru,
Ct the desires of any commissioner.
THE trouble with all government is
! largely two things. Bribery. and thu
/ Incidence of the voters. The frs
! destroys the integrity Of the ofiCia
! that j. weak, and the second permit
the weak official to get in.
we have enough laws in gen
oral way if they are enforced. ant
not only should they be enforced, bu
all men should be treated equal On
Of the great trials of any administra
ton is the enforcement of the genera
mora! laws Of the community. a
active police force with courage an
integrity backed up by proper pros
acuticn by the states attorney is tn
Snrest way to clean and moral cit.
/ conditions that most all men ant
! women desire
/ The women of Ottawa have tn,
Same voice in its government as hav,
the men, the same chance to sift tn,
wheat from the chaif, the sam,
chance to praise or condemn.
How often we hear of the evi
that we do, and the mistakes that W.
make, and how seldom the praise tina
even the worst Of us once in awhile
Is entitled to-"
Mr.. Weeks then spoke in a genera
way of what local improvements he
hoped TO see accomplished during his
administration.
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