The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1921-07-14
FORWARD MARCHING

IA
This has been municipal week in Florida.
No extraordinary interest has been manifested out
side of Lakeland in the local city election but this
has not been true Ct Miami and ST. Augustine.
In the Magic City there was written new history
in municipal advancement Last January the pco-
pie of Miami voted to discard the aniiquated form
of councilmanic or aIdcrmanic government, subsli-
tuting therefor the most approved form OF COM
mission manager government. 1t Is said that the
St. Augustine charter was taken as a model, but
however that may be- Miami has adopted char
ter that promises to become another important
factor in the marvellous growth Of that famous
city But in Miami's case history repeated itself.
The beaten advocates of the od-stylc government
had shot or two left in the poor, broken muskct.
The plan has always been tc elect as commission
ers those possibly not in thorough sympathy with
the commission manager plan and therefore not
overly enthusiastic about making il a success. In
the case Of Miami situation arose the like of
which has never before been known in the mu-
nicipal circles in this country. In response 10
strong appeal made by those who want Miami 10
mol only continue 10 grow but TO get rid Of financial
burdens and to be operated in the most approved
and most economical manner SO far known, five
bank presidents were induced to allow their names
to be put up for the FIVE commissionerships. or
course there was oppositicn-ths country must
have political fight no matter what else may hap
pen-so the Independents who said they feared
something dreadful might happen if Miami
ever got into the hands Of those terrible
bankers managed 10 get cut ticket. But
folks were quick 10 take advantage Of most I'M
usual opportunity not only to gain direct benefit
from the valuable services freely offered by the
big financial men Of the city. but to tell the world
that Miami is alive 10 The needs Of the hour and
that the very best men in the community are none
too good when ii comes to the choice of public
servants. So the news has been heraldcd abroad
that Miami has Ave bank presidents as members
of her first city commission. Even greater things
will be expected of the Magic City from now on.
In the case CT ST. Augustine an effort was
made through the submission of certain charter
amendments, to wreck the commisson-manager
government that has been in operation in the
Ancient City since July of 1915. St. Augustine
had for years suffered an almost intolerable stu
alton caused by the evil effects of the aldermanic
form of government when bear-garden programs
were the usual feature of council meetings The
element that enjoyed this SORT of thing did not
like it little bit when the people of ST. Augustine
growing tired CT The old order of things, threw
off the yoke and set an example to ether Florida
cities by adopting what at that time was said 10
be the model charter Of the day. Several at
tempts were subsequently made TO nulify the
change but there were always enough patriotic
citizens on guard 10 quash any schemes at govern
menl-wrccking But the disgraned politicians
never have been rcconciled to The new order Of
things and even at this late date made covert
yet determined attempt 10 kill the charter by the
introduction of certain amendments calculated 10
eventually pave the way to the political pie coun-
ter. St. Augustine has three commissioners who
serve without saary--thc saIaricd man Is The city
manager or executive the commissioners having
legislative powers only and not executive authority
These commissioners are elected one each year for
three-year term. The commissioners appoint
the city manager the city clerk-treasurer and the
chief of police In fact, it was a terrible wrench