The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-03-05
DIGEST OF BILL GIVING CITIES HOME RULE
ASST STOOD ON THIRD READING SET FORTH

commission or commlss1on-manager
form OF government as it stood on
third reading were as follows:
Section one of the bill is unimport-
ant
Section two provides that at any
time, mot less than thirty days after
the passage of this act" a petition to
the legislative body of any city may
be filed with the city clerk, asking that
the question of the adoption of either
Of the plans of government (commis-
sion or commission manager be sub
mitted to the electors of the city.
Detailed specifications to the form Of
the petition are then given.
20 Per Cent Signs.
Section three says the petition shall
be deemed sufficient is signed by cleo
tors of the city equal to 20 per cent
of the vote at the last preceding .nu-
nicipal election. Within five days the
clerk shall complete an examination to
satisfy himself as to the sufficiency of
the petition and shall submit the petit
ton to the city legislative body at the
next regular meeting following the
completion of his examination.
Section four provides that after
the clerk has certified as to the suf-
fciency of the petition the legislative
body shall order a special election to
be held not less than 80 days nor more
than 60 days after the next succeed
ing first of May The board of cleo
ton commissioners for such election
shall consist of the clerk and two
freeholders one Of whom is known to
be in favor OF the adoption of the pro-
rosed plan and one known to be
opposed to it's adoption both to the
appointed by the chairman Of presi-
dent of the city legislative body. The
commission shall make all necessary
preparations for the election and shall
If possible appoint on each precinct
election board one member known to
be opposed to the proposed plan and
one favOring it. 1t is provided that if
the special election is to be held in
any year when the city would select
it's city nominees then the city nomina-
ting primary shall not be held until
after the special election If the pro-
posed plan is adopted no primary shall
be held. If the plan fails then the
legislative body shall within five days
meet and set the time for the city
primary.
"Yes" and "No" Ballot.
Section five gives the form Of the
ballot to be. used in the special cleo
ton. 1t is a straight yes and mo
proposition.
Section six says the election COM
missioners shall meet at 10 o'clock on
the morning succeeding the special
election and canvass the returns.
Section seven provides that all of
the regulations and penalties of the
general election law shall apply in
such special election and further says
that he expense of such election shall
be paid out of the general funds of
The city
Section eight provides that the cleo
ton commissioners shall certify the
..~-uIte of the special election to the
city legislative body and that dupli-
cate shall go to the city clerk. Upon
the filing with the clerk the certifica-
tion that either plan has been adopted
then the clerk shall at once make pub
licaton of the fact in a newspaper OF
general circulation in the city. The
section then says ga plan of govern
mant adopted under this act shall take
effect upon publication so far as it
2nplias to the nomination and election
of officers provided herein and in all
respects it shall take effect the first
Monday in January next, succeeding
the first election of officers held here
under" 1t is provided that the officers
serving at the time of the election
shall continue to serve until their sue
cessors have been elected under the
plan and have qualified or until pro
vision shall have been by the cit,
commission for the performance of tho
duties.
Powers Of Commission.
Section nine provides that all o.
the legislative, judicial and executive
lowers Of tie city and such Other
powers relating strictly to mlnicipa
affairs not inconsistent with the con
stitution and general laws Of the state
shall be vested in commission elect
ed from the city at large.
Section 10 provides that the com
missioners at their first meeting afte1
1he election of commissioners under
the adopted plan shall as nearly a:
possible be divided into equal gro''p!
whose terms shall expire at the end o
two years and four years respectively
Subsequently commissioners would bf
elected for term of four years.
Section II says that in cities adoDt
ing the plan a municipal election 70
the choice of members of the commits
SON shall be hold on the first TueSda,
after the first Monday in November o
each odd numbered year. The candi
dates equal in number to the humble
Of places filed who receive the hiehes
votes shall he declared elected.
Anv qualified elector NAV be eligible
10 the Office Of commissioner.
Petition dominates.
Section - says that a person eligi
hle to the commission may be place.
in domination by a petition signed b,
electors equal in number 10 one pc
cent Of the votes cast at the last pre-
cedin. municipal election
Section IS gives the form of pet
ton. All petitions both for nomina
lions and for the special election mer
toned in q previous section must b
signed in ink or with an indelibl
pencil.
Section II says that all petitions 70
nomination shall be filed with the cit
clerk thirty days prier to the date O
holding the election with respect +
which such petition is filed. Withi
FIVE days the clerk shall notify the pei
son named in the petition whethe