Project Gutenberg #13089
The Making of Arguments
J. H. Gardiner
1912A guide to defining issues, gathering evidence, testing reasoning, adapting to an audience, organizing a case, and debating persuasively.
Project Gutenberg #13089 Public domain in the United States Cover source Local typographic cover created for The Missing Workbook from public-domain source metadata
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as having given up a commission government, yet the case is not parallel, since a'. The commission under which the city had lived was appointed by the governor after a disastrous conflagration; and b'. The form of government substituted has most of the essential features of the: commission government except the size of the council, which has four members elected at large, and five by district.
IV'. Although it is urged that the corrupt element in politics would have unlimited power if they should capture the commission, yet the direct responsibility to the citizens will be a safeguard for the enlarged power, for
A'. Every act of the city government will be known; since under the charter—sections 24, 25, 29, 33— 1'. The meetings of the council will be public. 2'. All resolutions are to be in writing and recorded. 3'. All votes are to be recorded. 4'. An itemized statement of receipts and expenditures must be printed and distributed every month. 5'. Ordinances making contracts or granting franchises must be published one week before final passage, and on petition may be referred to the people. 6'. In Des Moines under the new charter the newspapers give much space to the doings of the city government. McClure's Magazine, Vol. XXXV, p. 101. B'. The provisions for a recall will be a check on corrupt officials; for 1'. In Des Moines a chief of police was retired on the suggestion of a recall for the commissioner who was responsible for his appointment. McClure's Magazine, Vol. XXXV, p. 101. 2'. In Seattle a mayor who made terms with the vicious element, and was in league with public service corporations, was recalled. Daily papers, March, 1911.
CONCLUSION.
Wytown should adopt a commission government like that of Des Moines; since
A. The admitted inefficiency of the city government at present is due to the system of government; B. The adoption of the plan will result in important economies; C. The adoption of the plan will result in more efficient service to the city; and D. The direct responsibility of the mayor and councilmen to the citizens will be a safeguard for the increased power given to them.