The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-01-29
Pledges Should Bind.

. ASNA ~
Would YOU like to say anything in
reference to the often raised Conten-
ton that the referendum question was
voted upon by the public on previous
occasions@' MIR. ENis was asked
Il consider ho said IN reply, 'that
the people voted on the referendum ana
In the usual way when they elected
platform pledged To the city manager
form Of government for Memphis. 1t
was voted on again he said. IN the
election ot commissioners pledged to
the city manager form"
MIR. ellis continued his statement to
explain that he has no arbitrary or
pre1udiCial opposition TO the referendum.
lie said; However, after the bill
Is drawn II there is m general de-
mand that the question he voted on
again SO far as | ain personally con"
cerucd, have no objection to sub
hitting the matter to the people for
another vote, provided hat by SO do
ing we do not icapurdi2e the chances
uC giving the city this form Of govern
ment should the people vote favorAhlN,
on account Of such Proceeding being
declared unconstitutional
Best Hope for Good Men.
MIR Enis elaborated his statement to
defend and recommend the city mana
ger form of government Certain pa
pers here" he said, have cited n few
cities where some trouble has been eX'
perienced with the city manager form
Of government Now we do not offer
this form IA Il ~Cure-all, ms n panaCea
for all Ills, Undoubtedly, II the wrong
crowd Rut hold Of the governmental az
fairs Of the city under the manager
plan, wrong things could be done, But
we hold that tho city manager plan
offers the best hope of securing good
men, aud on recount or the fact That
il Centrali2et responsibility, wrong do
ings, or miSmanagcment, can be more
easily detected and corrected. am
satisfied that the city manager form
Of government will provide Memphis
with n form of government practicaI
to live under and tolbrahle to work
under and relieve her in tho largest
measure from the factionaI politics
from which she has suffered in the
past,
In Wow Of the fact" he said, that
the interests of the committee Of 100
are Identical with the interests Of all
other good citizens. they have no Ill
terror motives and they embrace some
o. the best minds and best citizens of
Memphis, the people may have no uus
easinosS, am satisfied that they
the peopIe-will not be confused by the
evident opposition OF self seeking IN
terests or by public jargon"
One Kansan Opposes.
S, n, Amidon, Democratic national
committeeman OF the state OF Kansas,
does not think much of tho city man
seer plan Of city government, accord
icg to II letter he wrote to G. W. Mil
Ter, fire and police commissioner, who
ls writing TO various cities for infor.
nation regarding the plan.
Mr. Anidon argues at length that
such IA form OF government Is not
democratic, and objects to its opera
ton In Wichita because a city manager
was imported from Kansas city, and he
imported a chief of police and the chief
imported many lower police officers
He adds,
Having thus elected II city manager
from Kansas city. he moved here to
Wichita to make this his temporary
home, with the result that no Is a. nom
inaI city manager and Ia virtually the
clerk Of the mayor, who is "A wealthy
gentleman, having acquired most OF his
wealth by inheritance,
The result Of thia city manager plan
IN Wichita has been "a complete failure
The cost Of the administration Ia per-
haps 80 per cent more than heretofore.
The greAt common people are unable to
secure any faVOrs whatever and are nm
able to have any voice in tho govern
meut, Three or four people meet with
| operation and absolutely control the
city. 1t has caused an increase of
taxes, a dtssension by the people, and
is absolutely undemoCratic.
Old Crowd Will Lose.
"Evidently the principle ia wrong.
and acknowledged by all parties to be
wrong, but some of the good people of
Wichita were willing to try ii, think
ing hat while the principle was wrong
the working Of 1t might do good. hut II
there was to he an election here to-
| Tt,4rFnAt nm the nlnntipp 81 tIn elf