The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-06-01
SAY VOTE AT MARION
HAS NO SIGNIFICANCE
As TO CHOICE HERE

Leaders in the campaign to adopt
city manager form of government
in Richmond place little significance
on the result Of the election in Marion,
while opponents say that it is indica-
tive of the general tend of feeling
throughout the state.
Those favoring the move state that
there was no great effort made In
Marion to present the question in an
intelligent manner to the voters. and
that the small number of votes cast
is evidence that no great interest was
aroused.
Leaders here state that the condi.
tions are much different in Richmond
than in Marion. and that the decision
of Marion not to accept the proposed
form of municipal government should
not influence voter in Richmond.
-g gs-~ Issue Statement -s.ssszs-.
In a. statement from headquarters
of the advocates of the new form it
is said that the Marion voters evi-
IDENTIFY had not had the proposition
enable them to appreciate the numer-
Gus advantages they would receive
under strictly business administra
| ton"
| Richmond has been progressive in
! adopting good things for the city in
the past, while numerous other cities
over the state have rejected them at
| first only to come around to them lat
er. Richmond undoubtedly will take
| the lead in the state in regard to
adopting the city manager form OF
government, and be reaping the bene.
! fits several years before many reac.
tionary cities of the state are able to
get on the same wagon.
See Success Here.
! "Indications in Richmond now are
that the new form will be adopted
here, and the vote will be referen-
dun on whether good government for
Richmond is desired above the wastes
and extravagances of the present
! system" the statement concluded
! Gath Freeman, chairman of the anti.
city manager organization, stated that
the vote in Marion was indicative that
! the people OF that city had thoroughly
examined the law and discovered the
weakness of the theory.
Comments on Vote.
| "Citizens of Marion have clearly
! shown by a vote of about to that
! they believe they are capable of Sc
| letting IHSlI wv IL OulCtIS. lie vote,
which went so overwhelmingly against
the adoption of the new plan. shows
that the enfranchised public desire to
continue to live under democracy
and not toward a monarchy" MI
! Freeman said.
The special election in Richmond
will bear out the same sentiments
Our organization believes in the
people and believes they will show
good judgment in selecting their Off
GERS to direct their policy, and ad
minister the affairs of their city.
Says No Excuse
Under the safeguards thrown
around city officials by the present
laws Of Indiana there is no excuse OF
necessity for city manager govern
ment in this state.
Marion is about the same size az
Richmond and the conditions there
are quite similar. The vote there is
indicative Of what will result at Rich
mond's election. We expect to win by
as large majority as was obtained In
Marion.
The people of Richmond will no,
confuse change with progress any
more than they did in Marion. Tc
change to the city manager form
would be re-actionary, as it IS not rep
resentative of the people but is ar
arbitrary and autocratic form of gov
ernment