The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1921-02-04
PROPOSED CHANGE
IN COUNTY HOME
RULE EXPLAINED
LEGISLATURE MUST FIRST GIVE
CONSENT, AFTER WHICH VOTE
OF PEOPLE WOULD
DECIDE ISSUE.
PRESENT SYSTEM TENDS TO
PROMOTE NEEDLESS WASTE
General Demand For Reduction OF
Government Expenditures Has
Brought Question To The
Foreground.

The Detroit and Wayne county
point Of view regarding proposed re-
organization of county government
in Michigan has been presented to the
supervisors Of Ottawa county in a
letter from w. p. Lovett a member
Of the Wayne county committee
Meeting some of the objections Of
fered, Mr.. Lovett says that at least
five steps must be taken to get results
In this program. The letter follows:
Detroit, Michigan.
To the Honorable, the Board of
Supervisors Of Ottawa County,
Michigan.
Gentlemen: - AS Secretary Of
Wayne County Committee on Re-
organization of County Government,
and as a member of the State Com
mittee which has been studying this
problem. / venture to addrGjs you in
the hope that possibly misunderstand-
ing of the proposal for a constitution
al amendment which soon will be
submitted to the Legislature, may be
avoided.
As the proposal has been discussed
in Detroit and Wayne County thus
far, 1t has been a question, not of a
commission plan of government alone,
but of home rule for Michigan coun-
ties. Our Wayne County Committee
is frankly seeking through constitu-
tional amendment and legislative en-
actment to improve our system Of gov
eminent, but we cannot proceed with
out cooperation from the other coun-
ties of the state.
We understand that there is now a
general demand by taxpayers for i'm
proved methods Of government in the
interests OF economy and efficiency.
Many improvements have been made
In cities In recent years. In the judg.
ment OF some authorities, It will be
necessary Immediately to make
changes in our national methods OF
DOING business. Governor Groesbeck
has recommended to the Michigan
Legislature that measures be passed
IN the interest of co-ordinating nu-
merous departments Of our State gov
eminent The fundamental objective
ia this movement is the saving OF
vast sums Of money to the taxpayers.
In this same connection, believe the
strongest argument for improvement
OF county government Is that the
present system, or lack of system,
eliminates centralized responsibility
inevitably offers opportunity for finan.
cal leakages, and generally tends to
promote substantial and unnecessary
wastes OF money in administration.
1t appears now that no substantial
improvement can be made without
amendment of the State constitution.
Both practically and legally this view
is favored by lawyers and public Of
Gals in various parts of the State.
At least five steps must precede
any final action in a given county, ev-
eryone Of which is based on the prin-
ciple of free representative govern
ment and full popular control These
steps are:
First. Asking the legislature to
study the question and permit the
people Of the state to vote upon a
simple, broad constitutional amend
ment which shall be prepared in final
form by officials of the state at Lans-
ing and not by any citizens commit
tee.
Second. Submission Of this Ques-
ton to vote OF the people Of the state
giving everybody an opportunity to
know the facts.
Third. No such constitutional
amendment can become effective
without law or laws passed by the
legislature, which has full power to
decide the form or forms Of county
government which may be made Cd
tionaI in Michigan. This third step
absolutely ~assures to the people rep
resented in the legislature that no
action shall be taken except such
as may be approved by the ma
jority.
Thereafter amy county which de-
sires to improve It's situation may
take the fourth step and either
through its supervisors or through
a charter commission decide what
form of county government It may
want. In case these four steps are
taken. nothing becomes effective mn.
til the people Of a given county,
knowing all the facts, go to the polls
and vote in favor OF the adoption
of the plan submitted.
Thanking you for your considera.
tion, I pledge myself as member
Of the State Committee of citizens
90 do everything In my power to
meet the questions or proposals which
may be advanced by any members OF
your honorable body for the solution
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