The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-04-07
Help This Movement

IL you have not already done call up Lincoln
1927, the headquarters the citizens committee in
charge of the campaign for a city manager fern
OF government and get petition.
This city needs the benefits of the moderl
system of city government more than most cities
1t is now burdened with political government
that is brazen and bold and, above ALL very costly
Every public action is judged not the basis of
it's effect upon the welfare of the city, but upon its
political effect
The present administration is the full and com
plee Towering the political system Of city govern
ment. 1t finally reaches what might be called per-
lection in boss rule.
When it was necessary to go to the State Legis
lature in order to prevent the people from imme
diaely putting in the city manager form of govern
ment, the law up to month ago made possible,
the administration in power confessed that it feared
the people and behind that the majority of citizens
would prefer some other government than the kind
in existence
The city manager form of government, in cities
where it is in operation, banishes the sort
of politics which are played at the city hall.
1t divorces the city government from the ma
tional party designations.
1t permits, without any wrench upon a sense of
party loyalty, and who think alike in
city affairs to vote the same ticket
1t avoids the thing which happens in every city
election not only in Indianapolis but in all cities
which have the same system of government.
The evil effect of the partisan politics on city
government was illustrated in Chicago Tuesday
when man who had been exposed as unfit and
who had allied himself with all the forces of evil
elected by the votes of good people who stood
by their party"
Before his nomination, the outstanding leaders
of his own party had denounced Big Bill as crook
unfit, a to the welfare of Chicago
But after he was nominated these same men,
who wish to stay in State and national politics.
pleaded and used their influence to elect him to
office. They did not dare to oppose a man they had
denounced unfit because of the fear of being "ir
regular
That happens in this city at every election
There are always large number of citizens who
vote a party ticket without regard to the fitness Of
the candidate. The machine bosses rely upon this
percentage
There is, of course no real division of parties in
city election except to what party shall get the
pums and the jobs and the soft snaps.
The city manager form of government centers
interest city affairs, takes away the national and
State interest in politics and permits the voter to
set government he desires and is willing to pay for
The only politics that is possible under that
form of government is the sort politics which ap
peals to the judgment of voters through performance
OF duty and the giving of good government.
Good streets, law enforcement low taxes will
be the issues instead of tariff and world court which
have nothing to do with city affairs.
The movement to obtain election to put in
this city manager government is gaining Roadway
Get your the petitions The politicians,
Of course, will fight this movement 1t means an
end to their power and their pillage.
Taking the shacIes of political government off
indianapolis will CO more to bring growth and pros
perty than could any other one change If you want
to help Indianapolis, sign these petitions