Show lu N n ES I 1 v my r LAN S A SUCCESS THAT IS THE OPINION OF THE MAYOR OF CEDAR RAPIDS but will meet with the opposition of ward heeler and bo boss ss letter to J S lewis john S lewis is heading a movement to have the des moines plan of government by comi commission cominiski nissi on adopted for ogden and to advance his plans has corresponded with the mayors of 0 iowa cities in an effort to obtain from them an expression favorable or unfavorable to the des moines system in reply to a letter he sent to the mayor of cedar rapids the following way avas received hon john S lewis president ogdon ogden city improvement league ogden utah my bly dear sir I 1 wish to corn fitment you as being a member of the ogden city improvement league and evidencing your special interest in tile iho commission plan of city government it is a wise move on your par part to join salt lake city in asking tal ial legislation to permit you to adopt this system of government the plan thus far with our city has proven eminently satisfactory oven even to many of those who were opposed to the plan and all are willing to personally assist in any way we may suggest population of city is about and it is generally conceded by visitors to bo be the most enterprising city in this state my i understanding from your letter indicates that there has been some experience with dictators and politic ins inns in your city and that it is do sired to got get them out of existence city government by commission effectively and absolutely exterminates tile the ward heeler and dictator and makes it possible for any honest honorable citizen to place his name before the public for any office within the gift of the citizens and all that is necessary for an aspirant to office is that have a petition signed by qualified voters stating that lie ho I 1 a qua qualified lifred to execute the duties of the office to which lie ho aspires Aldor Alderm manir system providing for tive needs and requirements of a city cannot be A success for one good band and sufficient reason that of inborn nature to assist aish those who have assisted us consequently each 61 alderman derman to fill a moral obligation must necessarily protect his hip own ward and many times this la Is true regardless of cost inconvenience or injustice to any other ward and when anything Ss Is accomplished it is N generally the result of a t compromise or trade between two or more al a dermen and at the same time may all bo absolutely wrong unjust and unfair politics we do not expect to wholly eliminate but when the ward heeler and boss are put out of business at the same time the poison is removed from this voluntary interest of all haa ha boon been to accomplish such things only as ar would inspire tho the confidence of our citizens citi zells wo we are ably assisted in our efforts by every subordinate of officer ricer who Is always willing and ready to contribute hla his share toward a successful administration the spirit of all is to be prompt ca careful refill unbiased nna ana considerate and to use modern business methods in transaction of all matters that come before us from the citizens and all parts of the city politics nationality religious belief or location has no material bearing on our decisions your experience as a business man of your city has demonstrated to you that to be successful one must have character strong iv will power and determination to carry out and execute that which the counsel of your friends and your own judgment has satisfied you oil to bo be pro proper and right and most beneficial to all citizens each member of this council has these qualifications judging from your letter as a public lic spirited citizen I 1 am satisfied yoa havo have the best interests of your city at tt heart and knowing this I 1 will heart lly ily endorse the commission plan of government govern mont to you ay your 0 ur first opposition will come irom from the ward hoeler and boss and tho the class that hns has made their exist existence eneo POs possible ble and allowed them to elect some disreputable citizen to legislate giving them exclusive rights and eriv cleges over others which they thim tham th im am f ec iv alvos would not havo have the athe brazen effrontery fron tery to asin for we average about four council meetings each week and there is always some member me aber hero to transact trans ace business on presentation all bills are discounted 2 per cent con excepting bills for labor and contracts 1 I 1 enclose a letter in contradiction of statement that commission plan ot of government in DOS moines and cedar rapids is a failure much aluch more can bo be said in favor of plan of government and any further information will be cheerfully furnished wishing you success in your undertaking I 1 remain yours very truly signed JOHN A mayor layor cedar rapids |