| Show i I 1 Let the People Decide I r is hut but one method o oC oe determining tin the 1 THERE J aU attitude tude of Salt Sail Lake Lak and the other municipalities municipal municipal- itic of the tho slate state towards the commission form I of government That method is S submission to p popular pop pop- Pular P- P t ular vote rotc While tho tim citizens of oe the tho communities affected were not given gi an m opportunity to indicate their preference at the time timo Iho tho law was passed 9 there hero is no logical reason why they should not now I be afforded the chance that has hns been hitherto denied them hem It is announced that a measure will be introduced introduced intro intro- in the Legislature providing for referring to toI I the the question of continuance of the present system or of return to the former form The Tho cities affected have had one years year's experience with the commission method and the they should be able to toI I choose wisely They ought to be bo given the the- theop op- op 1 i The Tb Republican Herald has not favored the tho commission coin coin- corn com I mission idea At the tho beginning of tim the agitation in ini i Utah for its adoption we vc questioned whether the f division of personal responsibility would get good results and we w-e doubted the tho efficacy of any method methodi methodI j I that placed upon one body of men both executive i i and legislative powers It is not our purpose to discuss in this connection tho the efficiency of the men chosen to office in Salt Lake under the commission commis commis- I mon ion form or to particularize as to the specific in inI instances in- in 4 stances in which there has been lack of results ts I For ourselves we e fail to see seo where the tho new j foWl fonn has justified its existence or where the bencI benefits benc- benc I fits that were ere supposed to accrue have havo been det deI de de- de- de t I livered That however is beside the question at I issue The people should b be given tho the opportunity t to decide whether they wish the tho pres present t method to prevail or whether they desire a return to the theold C old plan of government that followed the prevalent prevalent prevalent preva preva- j lent national and state system SJ of two ho branches executive and legislative If a ft measure authorizing this is presented to the 1 Legislature it should have havo full consideration Its i adoption need not be construed as a reflection upon I r T the former lawmaking body that instituted the commission com com- f mission form Public ignorance of its benefits and andI I I advantages rendered it impossible for the people t I to decide intelligently at that time timo upon the ques- ques i f f tion and the Legislature in using its best judgment f I acted for the tho best interests of all concerned But f f no DO now b having ing ha had a years year's ear s e experience wit with n the e pres pres- r i ent method and some sorno years ot or practical test ot me tile r 1 former tho the taxpayers s should be he in a n. position to tomako i mako make a choice They have havo gauged the advantages r and di disadvantages cg of each and could therefore act V f jn fl the light of actual knowledge e. A situation however would woul arise that thai might ht militate mil mil- 1 Hale an honest expression of opinion There I j f are aro tho o who wilD though not enamoured of oC the thc form i of government self itself would support its continuance 0 because they admire the personnel of the commiss commission commission commis commis- s sion lon and and would therefore oppose its being disturbed 7 Conversely there aro are others that feel convinced that I 1 the system itself is beneficial and who attribute its alleged shortcomings to those chosen to administer I city a affairs affaire rs these it may readily be seen would woul a suppress their admiration of the tho method and yote vote J it out of existence because of their opposition to toI I the men now in office Since however the personal equation enters into every cry governmental go and political I f cal act let this Ibis obstacle should not Dot weigh h with the law law- I makers I Th The taxpayers ought t to be permitted to choose f their own form of government but the Legislature of 1911 was justified in its course by hy the impossible character of the existing administrations in Salt Lake and anel in iii Ogden The grasp of those particular cot coteries cries has b been en shaken loose in ill both cities and the 1 1 people ou ought ht now bo be able to approach the thc question I with open minds The Legislature will be doing the public a service service if it provides pro that an election be beheld beheld held in all cities affected whereby the citizens may mayi i indicate te their choice The result will win then be con con- c |
