Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1920-01-22
THE COMMISSION
FORM OF GOVERNMENT

CONM Ut FNJO LNlNWkE
The Commission Form of Govern
ment provides for two councilmen and
one mayor, and their salaries are fixed
" the voters of the city. Under the
present form of Municipal Govern
ment, the mayor receiving salary of
$4,000 per month and other fees from
the police court. The city clerk re-
ceives IL per cent of the amount
due the city, probably total of $125
per month, and few months back the
mayor performed this city for the
city. There is chance to economic
here.
2. All legislation of the council
must be approved by the voters Of the
city before it becomes effective. A
year or more ago the Cumberland
Telephone Co. secured a long term
franchise from the city council with
out single consideration to the
people of the city, either in service or
money. Had we been under the COM
mission from the government, where
ell franchises must be ratified by the
voters, the people of Oxford would
nave demanded a reasonable compen-
satisn of the telephone company for
the use Of its streets.
3. All employees of the city may be
removed from offic eby petition of the
voters, or by a neglection, and their
salaries are subject to approval of the
voters. A penalty is provided where
an employee of the city solicits the sup
'rt of any person or persons in his
own interests or others, for the en-
ployment or election of himself or
others. Under the commission Form
of Government the employee of the
city must retain his position by merit
alone. If any time our city schoosl
become subjected to undue political
influence the people of the city will
have general house cleaning.
a. The advocates of the new form
of government are not out after
scalps, politically speaking, but we are
after more economic, efficient and
liberal government. Evidently, we.
must have form Of government that
will either add more enterprise or in
dustries to the community, or we must
reduce the tax rate in order that those
who are now here may stay. The new
form of government places the control
Of the city's affairs entirely in the
hands of the voters, while under pres
ant conditions of affairs the legisla-
zion of the city is subjected to undue
political influence. The people as a
Whole make very few mistakes in the
matter of legislation, and the people
Of Oxford are thoroughly competent
TO handle the affairs of the city.
5. There is no reason why the pres
emit county and municipal officers
should oppose this movement. The
question is one that the people should
decide and not them. Should they
care to do so they may become candi-
dates for the offices they now hold
under the new form of government.
Any official elected by the people
should be willing to cooperate with
the citizens of the town in their eff
forts to obtain a more efficient form
of government, rather than combine
against the movement.
8. There is no valid reason why
any individual, who is subject to tax
alton in the city of Oxford, should be
denied the privilege of having voice
in the management of the city.
2. Under the new form of govern
ment the commissioners must publish
quarterly statement showing the fl
nancial condition Of the city and its |
various departments, and this must be
prepared in pamphlet form for general
distribution. Do we know the finan-
cial condition of the city now?
The above was printed and circula-
ted the day before the election to rati-
fy the commission form Of government |
in 1914. We reproduce it SO that our
readers will see that the law has
and is q failure, Taxes
greater, Indebtedness more, and serv-
Ice well.