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About Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 10, 1911)
Weekly Rogue River Courier A. E. VOOMIIE8, Tab. and Prop, C. G. COUTANT, Editor. Dally Delivered by carrier or by mail Per year, $5; six months, $3; one monthi 50 cents; single copies, 5 cents. FRIDAY, .NOVEMBER 10, 1911. MILLER ON COMMISSION FORM OF GOVERNMENT. There Is an active demand In Grants Pass for literature concern lng the commission plan of city gov ernment and In the absence of the commission charter, prepared by a committee of citizens and presented to the city authorities, which will not be printed for something like ten days from now, we give to our readers extracts from an article by Joseph Dana Miller in the Pacific Monthly for September. The article In Question seemingly goes Into every detail aud at this time affords much desirable information for the average citizen: "The latest hope of municipal re formers Is the commission plan. The name 'commission' is unfortu nate, for It is not strictly a commis sion, but a council elected by the city at large, ward lines being eliminated. With Des Moines the plan may be aid to hare reached Its perfect de velopment, excepting only the Grand Junction plan to be noted later. In this city five commissioners are elected 'to serve two years, one of whom acts as mayor, the others as beads of departments. This favors the concentration of responsibility In the commission and direct res ponsibility In the heads of depart ments. It socures greater efficiency, and to this efficiency is added dem ocracy by a law which may call for the submission of all measures to a direct vote of the people. "Galveston had preceded Dcs Moines In the adoption of the com mission plan by a number of years. But the Galveston plan .11 not pro vide for the initiative and referen dum, and the members of the com mission had at first been appointive and not elective. Of course with that kind of commission government many of the students of the prob lem had been long familiar?" Mem phis, after the yellow fever epidemic of 1878, had beon governed by a commission appointed by the gov rnor. "But this was not the kind of government that was wanted, nor even the kind that Mr. J. 0. Berry bill was looking for. But It was during a vhilt to Galveston that Mr Berryhlll became Interested In the plan, and he reported It to the Dob Moines Commercial club. "The Iowa Legislature at first re jected contemptuously a law onab ling Des Moines and other cities of the state to organize under the com mission plan, but later adopted i much more sweeping mennure be cause state-wldu sentiment had been evoked. There had been no genoral referendum on the question, but there was no mistaking public sentl mcut. Of the plan as perfected It may be said that In Its general out linos it was suggested by Galveston that the recall provision was lor- rowed from Los Angeles, that the broader referendum hnd cxMed In Iowa under nn old statute, and that the charter of the City of Pallas sag Rested the Initiative and referen dum. "The Galveston plan removed th conduct of the- city government from tho control of Its citizens. The com mission one chonen was nbsolutc during Its term of office, But th trainers w tho Pes Moines charter wore quick to see that without th sul'tnUnlon of Its nets for revision b tne voters tho plan was utterly im democratic. To bo sure Gnlvesto had secured good and efficient gov eminent under It n plan. But (Ms I posslMo under almost any nrrnncc tnent until, under the strain of too great n burden of authority, Itullv- Idnnl character or mpnclty breaks don. "The vovrrninrnt of Ws Moines Department of accounts of public streets resembles the directorate of a great business corporation. It Is compos ed of a council chosen at large by the whole city of five heads of de partments as follows:. First: Department of public af fairs. Second: and figures. Third: Department safety. Fourth: Department of and public improvements. Fifth: Department of parks and public property. "The mayor Is the bead of the de partment of public affairs, and the commission erect one of their num ber to be the head of each depart ment. They then proceed to elect the city clerk, assessor, treasurer, auditor, city physician, marshall, chief of the Are department, etc.; they fix salaries, engage and dis charge public .officials, act as a civil service board; make appropriations and spend them; legislate and exe cute the laws they frame, all their acts being subject, however, to pop ular revision. Surely no civic body has ever been given such widely ex tended powers In a city of ninety thousand. And yet the plan works well after having been nearly three years In operation. The city gov ernment Is more cleanly, more mor al, more efficient, and the tax levy has averaged two and seven-tenths mills less than under the old order. There has been a civic awakening, and few citizens of Dcs Moines would be willing to go back to the old system. "There Is one objection heard, which may and probably will be ob viated later on. That is, that the commission should be chosen by the people as heads of the particular de partments over which they will pre- Ide. The candidates may have spec ial abilities which will better fit them for the conduct of one depart ment than another, and thus should be chosen with spec.'al reference to that department. '"'Any citizen may become a candi date for mayor or councilman. The only requirement Is a petition of twenty-five citizens. The name now goes on the ballot at the primary in alphabetical order, it Is not nec essary for blm to spend a dollar. At both the primary and the final elections the voter may vote for one candidate for mayor and four can didates for counclluon. There are ten nameB on the ticket. There can be no parttzanshlp, for there 1b no party ticket. "It was Governor Cummins who added tho double-election clause by which any one having, the necessary twenty-five signatures could be voted tor at tho primary, the two having the highest number of votes for mayor and the eight having the highest number of votes for council men being the candidates at the final election two weeks later. This re duces tho possibility of the election of corrupt or Incompetent officials to a minimum. strike bills; citizens are at ease be cause every franchise must first be endorsed by popular vote. For the second time within Its history, Des Moines has lived within its means. Starting with a handicap of $180,- 000 left by a former administration, the year 4909 ended without exceed ing a single appropriation, and with money left over In several of its funds. ' ' "The Grand Junction charter Is an advance over all the plans of city government by commission. It does not provide for the double election. Under it there Is but one election, unlike Des Moines. One of the most difficult thlngB, as experience has proved, Is to make a primary law that shall not possess grave disad vantages. When a number of noml nees are voted for there Is a struggle in which money and Influence con spire to place, as preferred candi dates at the second election, men who may be undesirable. It may therefore resolve Itself into a con test In which money Is an Important factor. This is not possible under the single-election and "preferential- voting" of the Grand Junction char ter, where any twenty-five men may secure the appearance on the official ballot of the namea of their candi dates. The voters then choose their nominees In the order of their pref erence, if any nominee In the first column has a majority of the votes he is declared elected. It a candi date has' not enough votes in. the first column to elect, then the votes In the Becond column are added to those of the first, and to the votes In the second column are added the votes In the third column. Thus is Eecured the rule of the majority, since It Is hardly possible that a min ority candidate can be successful. Every candidate must be elected by a majority of the votes rather than a plurality. "The 6rand Junction charter pro vides what other city charters even that of Des M6ines fall to Include, and that is the principles of the common law. It defines the city's powers, rights and liabilities, and provides for the city's acquisition and operation of any or all of its private utilities now privately owned and operated. The heads of depart ments bear titles practically the same as the Des Moines' heads, but there is one which is curiously Il lustrative of a touch of idealism the 'department (4) of health and civic beauty." At this both ward leader and civic reformer who thinks municipal government a problem of business merely, will smile Indul gently." Mr. Miller says that there are a list of 96 cities In the United States i which have adopted commission form of government and to this can soon be added several more which have voted for the adoption of the plan but the governments are not yet In operation. Escaped Lunatic Held A man escaping from the Salem Insane asylum arrived here yester day and was taken in charge by Marshal McLane who is holding him until the arrival of an attendant from the institution. The man's name is Johnson and he was sent from Leland two years ago. Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Herzlnger re turned Tuesday evening from a trip through California. During the past six weeks they have visited at Red ding, Sacramento, San Francisco and other points, and report a splendid vacation. Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Anderson left Tuesday for Portland and east ern Oregon, where they will visit with friends and remain indefinitely. Mr. Anderson is a member of the forest service and has been located at Kerby, but is now taking a vaca tion. It doesn't cost you anything and probably will save you money to loon tver tie store ids each evening CLASSIFIED ADS rut KALX WYANDOTTE pulleta for sale, $9.00 per dozen. Mrs. E. Erlckson, Wild ervllle. ll-3-4t HORSE and buggy for sale cheap; also farm implements. Apply mile west of city limits, on river. A, D. Coon. 11-3-21 . .... . . . WE PAY cash for any Oregon ses sion laws before 1866. Also want senate journals 1862 and 1864. Also codes, 1851, journal of coun cil, 1851, statutea of 1854, 1865, and code of civil procedure and Also code of civil procedure and general laws 1862, and archives 1843-49, Write Geo. A. Bateson 4 Company, Inc., Portland, Ore. 10-6-4t A FIVE STAMP MILL for sale at a bargain; also, a Scotch marine boiler, nearly new. Some gold prospects. E. B. Hawkins, Apple gate, Oregon. 9-24-4t FOR SALE 45 acres, one mile from Murphy, three-fourths mile from school; unimproved. Enough wood on place to pay for It Price $25 per acre. Terms can be had. E. Loughrldge, Wildervllle, Oregon. ' 9-8-6t : STRAWBERRY PLANTS for sale. Several varieties of each. Inquire of C. R. Brechtblll, North Tenth j street. , 9-15-8t; FOR SALE Timber claim, NW j Sec. 24, Twp 37, 7 West, Jose phlne county. For particular ; address H. Walter, conductor, Sre j and Townaead streets, S. P. Co.. j San Francisco, Cal. 9-3-ti MISCELLANEOUS RANNIE, the plumber, Is ready ai j any minute to repair your plumb ! lng. 609 H street. Telephom i 140-R. 4-2-t ARTISTIC photographs, potuui stamp pictures, amateur MnUb lng. Come and see samples at tb. Augelo Studio, 6& Sixth utr.-i Mld-miMmi'r erier-t.. ! -i High Flight and Olympic Hour Yon make no mistake when you buy these two brands. Re member we always guarantee them to give satisfaction.1 I. Pardee Mrs. J. C. McCann of Wildervllle, is spending several days with friends In this city. Nursery Stock at Cut Price Apple Trees, one year, No. 1, 4 to 6 feet, each 15c, per 100, $12.50. Apple Trees, 3 to 4 feet, each 10c, per 100 $10.00. Apple Trees, 2 to 3 feet, each 7c, per 100 $6.00. Muir Peach Seedlings, per 100 $1.50. Hood River Strawberry Plants, $4.00 per 1000. Hood River Strawberry Plants, by mail post paid, 75c per 100. Send for price list small fruit, roses, shrubbery, etc. EULLHURST NURSERY CO. Wolf Creek, Oregon. CJALICK FOR 50c. WET WEATHER WEAR The weather is fine now but you know what's coming. Outfit with waterproof clothing while the assortment is complete, stock fresh and new before you get caught in a storm. One wetting may cost you more than several suits of rainproof clothing. Walrus Brand Water Proof Clothing' is made of the best fabrics procurable and of a very high count. It is all machine coated, being given three coats of waterproof dressing which is forced into the fabric by heavy pressure rolls, drying sep arately after each coat. When finished the seams are covered with two coats of a rubber solution. The shoulders are covered with' a one piece waterproof cape which absolutely protects all seams. This clothing is proof against the action of acids, alkali or copper water and i3 not affected by changes of atmosphere. Walrus brand long coat 54 in. long. Made dou ble throughout, should er cape, reinforced sleeves, double storm flap, corduroy collar, J . pockets, fastens with ball and socket, buttons. For heavy weather . . . 15.00 Go to Gallce or Almedn on Mn- ,'Spencer traces the evolution of Bk,.8 gtape (roni Ml,,.,ln for 50 cents. 1 forms from the simple to the com-; Leave Merlin nt 2 p 1 plex, and again from the complex to tho Bimple. This applies to social forms as well ns to processes of evo lutionary growth elsewhere. It may not bo wVolly fanciful to trace the genesis of city government from the simple forms prevailing In Florence, Venice and Genoa to the more com plex development of todBy and thence to tho simpler forms of com mission plan. The last Is Important as Including a recognition that the city Is an organic whole and not a divided entity, and to Ihiu extent the PosMolnea system Is an Improve ment over the old. "The plan has brought nliout re sults which ns wo hi'i Imili iited. commend themselves to tl'f cHI.i'Iik; among which are the abolition of ward lines and the dNnppcnnince ()f the ward Iiohh; the abolition of party lines nnd the disappearance o? the party boss; nnd n far greater cx tenslon of tho clvll-servbe Mslem; corporations nre said to be los fear ful Klni'c there are no city officials to bribe, t,i trade atnl Introduce m. liJLMn.LUfHr ll-10-3t -1L1 th First National Bank of Southern Oregon GIUNT8 PASS. I'. 8. iVpcxiltorv. Capital, Surplus and I ndlUlnt I'roflU I OO.OOO. We tnvtte the public :o rail on us In our new baking iuar , ters and consider our ability properly to care for the bai.xlng need of Mir community. Our flr.-nroof an, I '...dlur- proof Safe Pcposlt '.nut ' now "S nd ..'!" for rciit S-tfctv IVpostr Ho. rent iils r,na!: k from f I .'ft to IIP fo (1. r m lotl'IVM I'lll-I I'M I O),, l. ;.1H l U ll,ll. 'r,.'.l,.. J r. ii"i'" " Vtre II I (i ll . . ;. f l. In II I' l (t. i( I'll t Walrus brand, 3-4 coat, 44 in. long, same as 5 $4.50 Walrus brand shor.t coat, 34 in. long, same lons .34.00 Walrus brand belt pants, made of heavy drilling, with four coats of waterproof dressing, belt straps and suspen der buttons, frO ?ft double seat Walrus brand blaukct lined waterproof coat. Same as other coats ex cept blanket lined and has hi:h cordurov cnl lar: :U-in-h $C flfl lcmrlh M.UU Walrus brand fireman's pants, made of water proof drill having four coats of dressing. Made with flannel lining, dou ble flap in front, heavy double seat, reinforced' with leather, button hip pocket, fastens with ring and snap, belt straps and also sus pender but- tfQ CA tons pj.JU Towers FISH BRAND Lont, slicker e ? ;s $3.00 Three-quar. cr,a;s $2.50 Short coats ... .$150 String pants J ..$1.50 AQUAPELLE Long coats $4.50 Short coats $2.75 Belt pants $2.00 Hip lopc;ing9 $1.25 Hats 75c FLANNEL SHIRTS We have a large and complete assortment of flannel shirts in blue, single and double breasted, dark and light gray, brown," slate, tan, green and red, ranging in price from ' $1.75 to $3.00 See the new high collar light flannel dress shirts in Hunters Green color. The first shipment sold out in one week, the sec ond shipment is going rapidiy $2.50 MACKINAW COATS Ileavv blue or browL coats, leather bound pockets $5.50 AND $5.00 Heavy canvas coats, blanket lined, corduroy collars $3.75 TO $5.00 Heavy canvas pants, button flap pockets $1.25 Heavy wool sox 25c TO 50c CALHOUN'S Outfitters to Boy and Man. This Store is the Home of Hart, SchafTner '& Marx Clothes k X