Palatka daily news. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1919-1994, 1922-03-08
COMMISSIONER
IS TURNED DOWN
AT COUNCIL MEET.
Alderman Johnson Of
fers Resolution to
Hold Election
.D|NEEN SAYS RING RULE
City Attorney Merryday
Says Present Form
Adequate

Alderman Johnson's motion last
night that an election to be called in
conjunction with the city ballotfng
for the purpose of electing charter
board in conformity with the state
law, did not receive a second last
night in council meeting, but it did
come in for some very lively and, at
times, personal debate. President
Dineen and City Attorney Merryday
were outspoken in their opposition.
In offering his resolution Alder
man johnson made no reference to a
commission or city manager form of
goernment, such as is being adopted
all over the country. He said taht
theer was general demand for a
revision of the charter and that it
was not suited to the needs of the
city and the changing of the times.
President Dineen asked "Why?"
"I'll tell you why" said Alderman
johnson, because there is seldom a
session of this board that the made
quacies of the charter are not spok-
en- of, and because we all know that
this charter has not been revised in
fifty years"
Alderman Smith said that he
thought that there is a very strong
sentiment among the people for
some change in the method of gov
erning the city, and that he has been
approached several times by leading
business men who favor the commits
sion form of government.
President Dineen said that he
didn't think that just because a few
malcontents went around stirring up
sentiment for a commission form
of government that the council
should undertake to disturb and up
set the city government by bring
ing in a radical form that is nothing
bu t"ring rule"
The editor of The News, who has
consistently contended for a more
business-like system of administer
ing the affairs of the city, asked to
be heard inasmuch as the presidents
reference might be applied to the ac-
tivity of The News. The editor de-
clared that this was not a question
for the president of the council OF
the city attorney to decide, that they
could not prescribe what is best for
the city, but that the taxpayers
themselves had right to say, and
that it was for the majority to say
whether or not a, change in the form
of government is desired.
City Attorney Merryday said that
the people of Palatka had already
voted on commission form of gov.
ernment and had defeated it "igno.
miniously and overwhelmingly" and
that he did not believe that the tax.
payers of Palatka desire at this time
change from the Representative
form of government" under which
Palatka has made such splendid
progress.
Alderman Smith suggested that il
the people desired an election to Sc.
lect charter board to revise the
charter they should indicate it by 6
Petition. President Dineen, in op.
posing even listening to a petition
said: "You know just about how rep.
resentative a petition is. People ir
this town will sign one to abolish
Palatka."
Alderman Pursley said that his
recollection was that the last charter
election had cost the city a consid
cradle sum of money mostly fol
printing, and that he did not believe
that the present time was opportunt
to go into an election with such {
cost in sight, which, he thought, wa:
about $500. City Attorney Merry
day said that the cost was abou
$500, most of which was for officia
publication of the charter. The Pa
latka News stated that if the publ
cation costs stood in the way of sucl
a much-needed reform it wouk
leheerfully contribute the four or fiv
lhundred-dciiar cost. as
| Alderman Pearce said that he be
IIieves that the present council is to-