The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-02-25
. PLAIN STATEMENT OF FACTS

Those standing to give pledges were Grover N. Mccormick,
Morgan, Charles McCalman, John Galena, Prather Mcdonald and
Subsequently Grover n. Mccormick went to war and Frank J.
Rice was substituted for the senate in his place: Prather McDOn-
Hunt PheIan were substituted for them in the house
Senators Frank D. Fuller and Frank J. Rice and Representa-
of the delegation in regard to the city manager form of govern
The three city commissioners who were nominated at this
upon the following pledge, but without any request from the com
We TTREsERyEPLY PLEDGE OURSELVES TO THE CITY
GEdisIITI 6SN ~ THEr A ERD AGREE TO ENACT AND SUPPORT
There have been many, amendments to the charter of Mem
pis in the past 40 years, and not in one single instance has a refer
endum been held on a single amendment. Our reasons for not in
There will be NO doubt of the eOnshtuhOnality Of the act
the act might be declared unconstitutional if put into operation
2 If passed without a referendum attached, the act will be
certain to go into effect at the time provided therein, while If a
courts with a view to having it declared invalid. A period of un-
certainty Of indifinite length would thus be created
be elected; and will go into office at the time provided in the act.
men elected under this II s4s act might HsH find ind the office e. to Which SEO they
weD1d 'n %sSa al nO0 aimost by Inr judi9tsl t jurisdiction sd ds.3r.n This s.u uncertainty
stand for election to the council next autumn.
council, the act should be declared constitutions the present re mt
mayor and commissioners would hold over until the next regular
We have reasonable assurance and entertain the hope that by
and abolish factionai, partisan, professional politics from the city
urge that HI no S citizen pass s' eritG Eis Gu on t fs Ie Pss y gntT1 s fRa We We
has read re- the bill, for the bill itself is its own greatest defender.
~ 20 'iJ Ol6hHNoht, III " Z uIl6CI YOUR dJI6nJtOn 10 M lei
that, after all. the thing in which the public is most concerned is
that the bill is a good bill and one under which we will get an
improved form of municipal government, as nearly as possible free
from tactional, political disturbances, efficiently ana economically
operated. One that will give the best returns for the taxes we pav
where the people at all times have complete control of their gov
eminent, where responsibility is definitely fixed and redress for
any ,irregularty or wrong may be promptly handled. Where the
On Wednesday evening, Feb. IL, at $50 o'clock, there was q
meeting OF the committee of 100 at the Gayoso hotel, and it lasted
untll midnight, and at this meeting the executive committee Of 70
presented the proposed counciEmanager act, and through DR., Hat
ton explained in detail the various features of the bill. After care
1lHy considering the bill section by section. that body bv a n over
Whelmlng majority passed a resolution approving the action of the
executive committee, adopting the proposed counciI-manager bill
ne ohelpy county legislators, with the request that thew have the
same passed without the referendum clause. There were onIv three
members of the committee besides the four labor men (who were
acting under instructions) who voted to insert the referendum
clause.
Never at any period since the inception of this movement have
the executive committee, or the committee of 100, IN any wav con-
sldered the special interest of any political faction or interests q r
OF any individual, but have looked solely and only to acts which
would have the greatest possible tendency to best serve ali Of the
people, DR.. A. R. Hatton, possibly the most consulted man in the
united states on municipal charters. a lecturer before Harvard
university on civic government, and holding the chair Of poIticaI
science at Northwestern university at Cleveland for seven Years. one
who has been associated with our secretary of wal, Newton Baker
and our war minister to Belgium, Brand Whitlock, Is a COMMITTEES
OF three in preparing constitutional amendment for the state ~
ONO and a man who in every way is recognized as one of ability
and of highest character and type, was called to Memphis to study
our needs and to act as an adviser to the committee in this Inn.
portant work. Before preparing the bill. DR.. Hatton in coniunn-
tnn with members OF the committee, conferred with vri b,oi-
ness organizations and trades unions, and discussed the faaturos
best to be embodied in this measure that would protect tho hoSt
interest of all, and we strongly urge that every good citizar ~
Memphis give careful consideration to the proposed act. " "