The evening herald. (Klamath Falls, Or.) 1906-1942, 1922-01-17
Letters from The People
Ancnt The Discassion Of Proposed

Ancnt the Discussion Of Proposes
Managerial Form Of Government
Up TO date II has not been made
manifest Just why q managerial
form OF government for q city OF
this sise would be the proper thing
there have been assertions to that
effect, It Is true. but concrete man.
ifcstations seem to be lacking.
Among the self-evident truths
enumerated IN the Declaration OF
Independence are the following:
Whenever any form Of govern.
ment becomes destructive OF the
lives. liberties and pursuits OF hap.
piness Of a people, II is the righ,
Of the people to alter or to abolish
II. and TO institute a new form OF
government. laying its foundation
on such principles, and organizing
IT, powers In such form. as to them
shall seem most likely TO effect
their safety and happiness. Pru-
denee. indeed, will dictate that gov.
ernments long established should
not be changed for light and tran
sient causes"
II may be asserted In some quar-
ters that these truths are self-evi-
dent only In SO far as the national
government OF q people is involved.
But. there Is one potent factor that
must not be lost sight Of In the dis
cussion Of any proposed change OF
government for any political subdi-
vision OF these United States, viz. /:
That the United States government
10 . constitutional form OF govern
mont that guarantees to every state
II the union . republican form OF
government. That each state In
turn. through Its constitution. guar
antecs TO Its minor political sub
divisions--counties and municipali-
ties-a republican form OF govern
mont. The home rule amendment
to the constitution Of the state Of
Oregon grants TO the legal voters OF
every city and town power to enact
and amend their municipal charters.
subject TO the constitution and
criminal laws OF the state OF Ore
son. That last clause is significant;
rising. almost. to the dignity Of
that other ancient utterance: "A
word TO the wise Is sufficient"
Reference to the home rule
amendment discloses the fact that
the state Of Oregon did not dele
gate to cities and towns. either the
right or power to repeal their char
ters. once enacted. but did specific
ally withhold from the legislature
the power to alter or amend muni-
cipal charters.
II may. with assurance, be con-
ceded that q councilmanic form of
city government is constitutional,
therefore representative. In con-
trasting that form with the city
manager form which centraiizes the
executive and administrative func-
tions Of city government In a single
individual. and preferably In a
nonresident. non-taxpaying individ-
uai at that. leads one to question Its
representative character. In truth
and In fact there Is but one branch
Of city manager form Of govern
ment that is made elective. viz:
The legislative. which is clothed
with but two functions. one Of
which is to select and appoint the
,ity manager and the other to enact
'ueh ordinances as the city manager
directs. The city manager is ap-
pointed for an indefinite term and
'ervss until removed by the coun-
III, resigns. or dies. The city man
iger makes all appointments and
iismisssls without reference to the
council. He has a free rein and is
responsible only to the council.
denbsrs Of the council. being elect. I
W. are subject to recall and prob
'bly subject to the power OF the
'sople under the initiative and ref I
rsndum. It would be difficult to |
onceive OF . more automatically,
ictstorisl form Of government.
he sutoorat st the head OF affairs
annot be reached even by the i'm I
eriaI recall. He 10 in . position q
build up an impregnabls political /
lachine for the perpstuation Of his {
ynasty. IL 1t any wonder. then,
lat the adherents Of representa- c
We constitutional government are =
clined to regard the managerial i