The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1922-08-22
ohDICAL CHANGES IN
MRANY'S GOVERNMENT
vop,s OFFICE ABOLISHED
MA Nh CREATES A COMMITS
AN oN STORM OF PROTEST.

rpANY, Cattle stage seems to
IN Albany for some of the most
Dc .;,iog politics OF the last several
'Ns r. with three local bills for which
'1 +or Dennis Fleming and Repre-
''a @,,;ve W. H. Beckham are respon-
' 'sls holding the spotlight.
'lD n....r criticisms of the senator and
D''. .n+,4;ves are heard in Albany.
rsP'l .or Fleming introduced in the up
oF''I Lorse bill providing a commits
per Ho o;ty manager form of govern
sion G ioy Albany. 1t had passed the
men before its provisions were
; ;el%yl here, but was published about
Io% t;,ne il went to the house. 1t pro-
ta me. .''t Tor RADICAL changes in the form
wac S,bany's municipal government.
Of A a6oIishes the office of mayor jan
II 8T let next, though Mayor Pea
u4 viii then have served but half
co'N .orn1 ior which he was elected. 1t
ln ne sboIishes the position Of council
also as, at at large, now held by A. E. Nc
n an whose term OF office CORE
a S~, with that of the mayor. Under
Z po" terms Of the bill Albany will be
lDS.,rncd by five commissioners, one
,o each ward who will elect city
. o,r and to whom that official will
I'' rrSSsoonsible. Many other changes
re provided for.
Pdt the storm that broke when Sen
.dr Fleming and Representative Back
t.r came home the latter part OF last
rsel, is over the referendum clause
.ar have put in the bill. IF it is a
~ then am the prince of
yses" one prominent critic OF the
,rn.e Is quoted as declaring.
Il reyerscs the usual referendum pro-
.drre bv placing the burden on those
,ooo,jng the change instead of on
5o.e iavoring it. The matter has new
hen passed on by the people of
hanv, it has never been an issue
any election, and the people have
ever expressed desire for it. 1t was
If known to be the intention either
the senator or representative to IN
roduce a commission government bill
Until after their election.
An this was cited in many letters
rd kilograms to Senator Fleming and
REPRESENTATIVE Beckham urging them
give the people a real referendum.
fhsrs /, said to have been a regular
ood of these requests, but they do
i ot seem to have been effective. AS
IL iii nassed the senate and as it is
rheduIed to pass the house it will
rcome effective unless majority OF
e qualified voters in the unprece-
ent.v heavy registration OF 1921 go
the polls and vote against it. Pre-
Gus charter changes submitted to the
eopIe Of Albany have required ap-
roval OF a two thirds vote before
ey became effective, but never dis
bproval.
Senator Fleming, in answering some
the criticisms of his bill, many of
hich have come from his friends, has
ken hint OF some sinister influences"
at have been at work to defeat what
insists is the will OF the people, and
hch he declares is expressed in the
H. Both he and Representative Beck
am have stated that they believe the
eOple OF Albany desire the govern
entaI changes provided for in the bill
fSignated to go into effect next IAN
ry and will so express themselves
ben given the opportunity.
But there is certain to be cam
gn marked by much bitterness
ben the issue comes up, unless all
gn, FAIL Representative Beckham is
candidate for reelection, and there
as no talk OF opposition to him until
local bill was published after 1t
Sed the senate, and he refused to
We its referendum changed. Now it
regarded as certain that he will be
posed, and his blind referendum,
It has been dubbed locally, will be
leading issue.
Two other important local measures
Inquire IN the melee when 1t
oaks. Both deal with matters which,
the Commission-city manager is
have never been submitted to the
opc. One abolishes the present
ard OF county commissioners and
Pike, the commissioners elective by
people instead of by the grand
r. The other divorces the city
lard OF education from the county
ard, and provides for a new board
seven members, OF whom at least
must be women 1t is understood
both these bills carry the same
OF referendum clauses as the 9th
eeaator Fleming has promised some
tercsting exposures" and those who
an the exposures declare they will
be rcsponsible\for all the excite