Pueblo chieftain., 1921-11-05
THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN

found to be unconstitutional and unworkable
2 The proposed amendment destroys the Com
mission form of government, system that has
pshed much good for Pueblo and that is criticized
because Of lack Of public interest and support rather
than because Of any defects in the system The present
charter Of the city framed by charter conven-
ton, elected by the people, after full and open discus
sion. The amendment framed by self-appointed
committee, abandoned by its parents changed in material
points and presented to the people by petition of an
anonymous committee supported by 'Greater Pueblo
association" Of official standing.
3. The proposed amendment destroys democratic
self government in Pueblo. 1t turns the city ana ali
the powers of city government over to city council
of ten, named in the amendment. These ten not
chosen any legally constituted primary and in case
is there any competitive candidate alternative choice.
The voter votes for all for and he cannot vote
for any one else. vote for the amendment is vote
for all of them.
The voter has not in voting upon this amend
ment will he have in the FUTURE if this amendment is
adopted, any direct vote upon any city officer except
these district councmen. Te will not vote, or
in the future, upon the City Manager, the President
of the Council the Civil Service commissioners or
any other.
A. The amendment in effect nullifcs the Civi!
Service provisions of the present charter 1t requires
the Civil Service commissioners to be elected by the
council instead Of by the people, present. to serve
without pay, for SIX year term, and increases their
duties and responsibilities to such extent that it will
be practically impossible to fill these Offices except with
commissioners who have some purpose motive other
than that of public benefit.
). The amendment gives to a majority of the men,
bcrs of the city council and TO the President OF the
Council TO be elected by them for twoyear term not
subject to the recall unusual powers the admitted pur-
pose of which is make city official independent of
publc sant and thc popuar will. IL is prOmsed
t't this system will operate to give the city better
government than the people demand but every power
that be used public benefit against popular senti
ncnt may also be used TO public harm against the
peoples will,
G. By the plan Of district Representatives nomin-
ated upon petition of % voters and elected by the
entire city: by the extraordinary power given to the
council judge of election of its members;
by the power of the council to appoint the City Man
agcr fix his salary and him from office at any
time without reasop given; by the power given the
Council to fill vacancies: by the provision that the
members of the council shall without pay and
hat vacancy shall exist upon the absence OF coun-
Gilman for five consecutive meetings.. by the power
Of the council to change the boundaries of the districts
without reference the voters by the provision for
President of the Council the official head Of the city
elected by the people and not subject 10 the recall
and by the subordinaon of the Civil Service commits
down the barriers established by the Pueblo charter
and opens the doors wide for the return Of
partisan political government bipartisan ring gov
ernment' that is mmeasurably worse 1t is answer
say that the representative councmeu named
would take advantage of these opportunities The
important thing is that there nothing 10 prevent them
their successors doing so.
:. Making a claim 10 economy with increased
efficiency in government the proposed amendment gives
g guarantee of anything of the kind 1t orders tho
Immediate csabl lshmen of civil service pension fund.-
for which the city is to contribute least twothrds
II provides for Il City Planning commission the MEN,
bcrs of which shall without pay but which cannot
operate without expense. II creates the position of
City Manager which must be high saarled position.
1t leaves in doubt the amount t. be paid 10 the Presi
dent of the Council for his other than
member of the council. 1t puts iuto the hands of a
majority of The council, directly thru its appontees
who subject TO its power of removal, the power to
levy taxes make appropriations, to direct expendi
lures and TO audit accounts To claim that this central
ization of financial power is not danger is TO ignore
the rudimcnts of political economy.
Pueblo has n good charter, carefully drawG-
tested by experience and working well according TO the
mcasurc of public interest in public affairs. 1t will
not make better to make the charter
Vote against the amendment.
>wrnc worn as a outer garment by