T HE
Sh
HAND B OO K
B
o rt
S E R IE S
0 t
a
C om pil ed b y
ED NA D
.
B U LLOC K
v
l
J
)
I
J
’
'
U
o
.
I
9
i
'
i
TH E H
WH ITE
.
P LAIN S
)
)
3
J
l
)
1
,
)
9
y
l
)
I
)
)
W WILS O N C O M PA N Y
.
N Y
.
.,
A N D NE W Y O R K
1 91 5
C ITY
.
P ub li sh ed
.
1 91 5
E"
PLANATORY NOTE
T h i s H a ndbook i s de s ign e d to fu r n i s h
in fo rma t io n
on th e va r i ou s gov e rnm e nta l a cti vit i e s a s r el ate d to th e short
b al l ot i d ea T h e s ubj ect i s n e w b u t a l re ady h a s a la rge l i te ra
t u r e M u ch of th i s l it e r at u re p e rt ai n s t o th e c o rh m is s io n fo r m
o f ci ty gover nment — a s ubj e ct to wh i ch o n e o f t h e ea r l ie r vo l
um e s o f th e H andboo k S e r i es i s d evoted Con s eque ntl y tha t
s u bj ect i s om i tted from th i s v o l um e R eade r s a re ad vi s e d to
re fe r a l s o to th e h a ndbook o n th e comm i s s i on fo rm o f city go v
o rde r t o get a com p r eh ens i ve vi e w o f th e sho rt
e r n m en t i n
ba l lot movemen t
T h i s H an dbook co nce rn s i t s e l f w ith th e sho rt b al lot i de a a s
a pp l i ed to stat e an d county gove r nment a nd a l so i nc l ude s th e
ci ty man age r p l a n o f mu n i ci p a l go v e rnm ent
E D B
A p r i l 1 9 1 91 5
g en e ral
-
.
,
.
.
’
.
.
,
.
.
,
.
.
.
CONTENTS
B IB LI OGR A P H Y
B i b l i ogra p h i es
G e n e ra l
St at e Gov e rnm en t
C o u nty Gov e rnm e nt
C i ty Gov e rnm ent
ix
ix
xiv
xiv
xv
.
I NT R OD U C T I O N
1
G E N E R AL D I S C U S S I O N
B ri gh t P r o s p ect s in N ew Y o rk
Eq ui ty
B rogan Franc i s A Sh o rt B a l lot an d th e J u d i ci a r y
N eb r a sk a St at e J o u rn a l
Ch i l d s R i ch a rd S P o l it i cs w i th o u t P o l iti c i an s
Ch i l d s R i ch a rd S S h o rt B a l l ot ; a M ov em ent t o S im p lify
P ol i ti cs
O ut look
C h i l ds R ich a rd S Wh at a D em oc ra cy W ou l d B e Li k e
Ev e rybody s
H ow e Fre d e ri c C C o n st itut i o n an d P ub l i c O p i n i on
Aca d em y o f P o l i t i c a l S ci enc e P roc e ed i ngs
O h i o D e feat
Eq u ity
P o li ti cs w ith o ut th e P o l iti ci a n
W o rl d s W o rk
Sh ort
O ut look
Sh o rt B al lot Aga i n
O ut look
Sho rt B a l lot M o vem e nt i n N e w Y o r k
Eq u ity
Ga rv i n F C Sh o rt es t B a l l ot
I n de p en den t
Sh o rt B a l l ot— W h at I t I s — I t s P ro gr es s t o D at e
Equ ity S e ri es
.
,
.
.
,
3
5
II
’
.
,
21
I
.
,
’
30
.
,
.
.
’
,
.
.
34
4o
41
45
49
54
S TA TE G OV E R N M E N T
Fut u r e Stat e Gov e rn m ent
E q u i ty S e ri es
Kan s a s Gov e r no r M es s a ge t o th e Legi s l at u r e
N e w T y p e o f Stat e Gove rn m ent
Eq ui ty S er i es
P rob le m o f St at e Gov e rnm ent
Equ i ty S e r i e s
.
.
.
63
66
70
75
C O N T EN T S
viii
C O U N T Y G OV E R N M EN T
R i ch a rd S
Co u nty M a n age r P l a n
P r oc eed i ngs
F iir s t Co n fe re nc e fo r B ett e r Count y Go ve rnm en t i n N Y
Ch i ld s R ich a r d S P e r s on a l Su ggesti on fo r a M od e l Cou nty
Sho rt B a l lot B u l l eti n
Co u nty Co m m i s s i on Gov e r n m en t
W o r l d s W o rk
Co u n t y P robl e m
Eq uity S e r i e s
F i r s t Sh o r t B al lot C o unty
Gi lbe r ts on H S C o m m i s s io n Gov e r n m ent a n d P a i d M a n
a ge r s fo r Co unt i e s
Su rv ey
Gi lbe rt son H S Di scov e ry o f th e Co u nty P robl e m
R ev i e w o f R ev i e w s
Ch i ld s
.
,
.
.
87
7
.
.
.
,
94
96
'
/
.
,
C1 1
Y
99
.
.
,
97
1 03
.
1 05
G O V E R N M EN T
B uttenh ei m H a r ol d S
C ity Ch a rte rs a n d th e Sh o rt B a l l ot
A m e r i ca n C it y
Ch i l ds R ich a r d S Sh o r t B a l lot a n d th e Co m m i s s i o n P l an
An n al s o f th e Am e r i ca n Aca d e m y
C r osby J oh n M un i c i p a l Gov e r nm en t A dm i n i st e re d by a
Ge ne ra l M a na ge r
An n a l s o f th e A m e r ic a n A ca d e m y
G i lbe rt son H S C i ty -M an age r P l a n a n d E xp e r t C i ty M an
a g em en t
An n a l s o f th e Am e r i ca n Aca d e m y
G i lbe rts on H 5
Sh o rt B a l lot i n Am e ri ca n C it i e s
R evi e w o f R evi ew s
S i lv e rn a i l F D Lock p o rt P ro p osa l
Ann a l s o f th e A m e r i ca n Acad e m y
U p so n L D C i ty -M an age r Ch a rte r o f D ayton
An n a l s o f th e A m e r i ca n Aca d e m y
,
1 1
5
.
,
1 23
.
,
.
,
,
.
.
1
30
1
37
1
41
1
48
1
52
.
.
,
,
.
.
.
.
B IBLIOGRAPHY
s t er i s k
pre c e d i n g a r ef er en c e i n d ic ate s th at th e e n t i r e a r ticl e
or a p ar t o f i t h as b e en r ep r i n t e d i n t hi s v o l u m e M a n y o f th e m a g a z i n e
a r t icl e s a n d p a m p hl et s li s t e d h e r e
a s w e ll a s s i m il a r m a t e r i a l t h at m a y b e
p u bli sh e d a f t e r thi s v o l u m e i s i ss u e d m a y b e s e c u r e d a t r e a so n abl e r ate s
f r o m th e W il so n P a c k a g e L ib ra r y op er ate d b y Th e H W W il so n C o m p a n y
An
a
.
,
,
.
.
,
.
B IB L I O G R A P H I E S
Ka ns a s U n i v e r s ity
B u ll et in 1 1 No
6
J " 1 0 Li s t
o f R e fe r ence s o n th e S hort B a l l ot
Kan sa s Un i v e r s ity
B u l leti n 1 5 N o 1 8 2 2 6-7 S 1 4
City
M a na ge r P l a n : B ib l i ogra p hy
—
Ka n sas U n i ve r s i ty
B u l let i n 1 5 NO
1 4
Uni
52 S
ca m e r al Legi s l at ion : B ibl i og r a p hy
M u n r o W B B ibl i ogra p hy o f M u n ici p a l G ov e r n m ent
Har
va r d Un i v e r s i ty P r e s s
W ri gh t J Ch eck L i s t o f B i b l iog r a p h i e s R e l ati n g to M u n i ci p a l
Gov e r n m ent H a rv a r d Un i v e r s i ty P r e s s 1 91 4
-6 1
S p e ci a l Libra r i e s
S el e ct L i s t o f R e fer e nce s
Je 1 1
H H B M ey e r
o n th e Sho r t B al lot
’
-
.
.
.
.
,
.
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
.
,
.
.
,
’
.
.
.
.
,
.
.
.
.
.
,
.
.
.
.
,
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
G E N E RAL R E F E R E N C E S
B o o ks
an d
P a m ph l e ts
A m e rica n Yea r
book 1 91 0 Sh o r t B al lot p 1 5 0
B ea r d Ch a r l e s A B al lot s B u rd en Gi nn 1 909
R epr i n t e d f ro m P o li t ic a l S ci en c e Q u a r t er l y 2 4 : 5 8 9-6 1 4 D ec em b er 1 909
B ra d fo r d Ga m a l i e l Le s so n o f Po p u la r Gove rn m en t 2 v M ac
m i l l a n 1 899
Cal i for n i a Gove rn o r ( H i r am W J oh nson )
I na u g u r a l A d
d re s s be fo r e th e Joi nt A s sembly at Sac r a m ento Ja n u a r y 3
.
.
.
,
.
'
.
,
.
.
,
.
.
,
.
,
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
,
,
1
91
1
.
.
Ch i cago B u r e a u of P ubl i c E ffi ci ency N i neteen Loca l Go ve rn
me nt s i n Ch i cago 1 9 1 3
*
Ch i lds R i cha r d S Pol i t i cs w ithout P ol iti ci a n s ; a n E xp l a n a
t i on o f th e P r i n ci p le s o f th e Sho r t B al lot Sho r t B al lo t
O r gan i zat ion 1 91 1
R ep r i n te d f ro m th e S at u r d a y E v en i n g P ost J an u a r y 2 2 1 9 1 0
.
.
.
.
.
,
.
.
.
,
,
.
B I B LI O G R AP H Y
x
C h il d s , R i c h a r d S
P ri n c i p l e
.
.
Wi e ldy D i st r i ct s
of
.
Sh o rt Ba l
O rgan izat ion 1 9 1 1
R epr i n t ed fro m P ro c ee d i n g s o f th e N at i o n a l M u n ici p a l L ea gu e 1 9 1 0
Ch i l ds R i ch a rd S Re a l D e m oc racy : th e N ee d o f S im p l i fy i ng
th e I n st r u m ent s o f Po p ula r Control o f Gove rnm e nt
Sho rt
B a l lot O rgan i z at i on
R epr i n t e d f ro m P ro c eed i n g s o f th e A m e r ic a n P o li t ic a l S c i en c e A sso ci
at i o n
1 91 0
lo t
.
.
.
,
.
,
.
.
.
,
C h i l ds
R i ch a r d S Sh o r t B a l lot Pr i nc i p l e s H oughton 1 91 1
City Cl ub Ch i cago Short B al lot i n I ll i noi s
Con fe re n ce fo r G ood C i ty Gover nment P r oce ed i ngs 1 906 :
- 2
Au st ral i a n B a ll ot Syste m o f Massa ch u s ett s R H
349 6
Da na
Con fe r enc e for Goo d Ci ty Go ve r n m e nt P roc ee d ings
Sho r t B a l lot P r i nci p l e
70
D al lin g e r F W
Nom i nat io n s for E lect i v e O ffi c e i n th e U nit e d
Stat e s
H
a
r
va
r
d
H
i
sto
r
ica
l
St
ud
i
e
s
v
pp
1
8
(
4 9
.
.
.
.
.
.
,
.
.
,
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
,
.
.
,
.
.
L o n g m an s
I 897
.
.
.
,
.
.
Ch ar l e s Fletche r S p i r i t o f D emoc r a cy C r ow el l 1 906
H il l q u it M o rr i s
Att i t ude o f S oci al i st s tow a rd s th e Sh ort B al lot
M ove m en t N ati ona l O ffi c e o f th e Soc i a l i st P a r ty 1 91 1
I nte rn at io na l Ye a rbo ok
El ecto ra l Re form
5
Ka le s A M Un p o p u la r Go ve rnment i n th e U nit ed St at es
Un i ve r si ty o f Ch i ca go P res s 1 91 4
Kaye P L Read i n gs i n Ci vi l Go ve r n me nt : th e Sh o rt B a l lot
pp 38 4-9 1
Ce ntu ry 1 9 1 0
M e r r i a m C E P r i m a ry El ect i on s ; O n th e M u lt i p l i ci ty o f
E lect i ve Ofii c es
pp 2 89-95 U n i ve r si ty o f Ch i cago P r es s
Dol e
.
,
.
.
.
,
.
.
.
,
.
,
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
,
.
908
.
.
.
1
.
.
.
,
.
.
.
.
.
M i ch iga n G overno r ( W oodb r i dge N Fe rri s )
S econd In au g u
ra l M e ss age J an ua r y 7 1 91 5
Nat i ona l Sho r t B a l l ot O r gan i zat ion Sho rt Ba l l ot i n th e State
o f Ne w Yo r k
M a rch 1 91 4
N at i ona l Short Ba ll ot O r gan i z at ion Y ea r book 1 91 4
Ne w Yo r k ( Stat e )
G o ve rno r ( Cha rl e s S \V h itm a n )
I na u
g u r a l A dd r es s a n d M e s sa g e t o th e Leg i s lat ure Ja n u a r y 1 9 1 5
N e w Y o rk Sho r t B a l lot O rgan i z at ion Abol i ti on o f th e O ffi c e
o f C o ron e r i n Ne w York C it v
M a r ch 1 9 1 4
N i ch ol s Ed wa r d Ray e d I nt e rcol l egiat e Debat es v 2
Sh o r t
Ba l lot Kan s a s Un i ve r si ty vs O klah oma U n i ve rs i ty A p ri l
1 2
1 91 1
M inds a nd N obl e
.
.
.
,
.
,
.
,
.
,
.
.
,
.
.
.
,
,
.
.
,
,
.
.
.
.
.
.
,
,
.
.
.
,
.
B I B LI O G RA P H Y
xi
Ph i lade l p h i a City Cl ub B ul l eti n 2 : 1 40 5 6 A p 2 1 1 0 Form
o f th e B a l lot R H Da na a n d C J S h e a rn
Ro sewate r V i cto r N e e d o f th e Sh o rt B a l l ot i n Neb raska
( Proc eed i ngs o f a Sho rt B a l lot Co n fe re nce h e ld by th e N e
bras ka Po p u l a r Go ve rnm ent Leagu e J an ua ry 1 5
Man u scri p t
S t Lo u i s M i s so uri Civ i c Leagu e S hort B al l ot C omm it tee
T h e S h o rt B a l lot th e Key t o Po p u la r Gove r nme nt W h at
I t I s Wh at I t W i l l D o
H ow to Get I t i n St Lou i s
B oth S i de s
S h urt er Edw i n D ubo i s a n d T ay lo r C a r l C lev e lan d
o f 1 00 Publ i c Q u est ion s B r i e fly D eb ated
Sho rt B a l lot
pp :
1 32 -4
H i nd s an d Nobl e c 1 91 3
Sti ckn e y A lbert T r u e R e p ub li c H a r p e r 1 879
Un it ed St at es 6 1 st C on gres s 2 d S e s s i o n S en at e D oc 603
C o d e o f th e P eo p l e s R u l e Sh o rt B a l lot pp 1 62 -5 R ob e rt
L O w en com p
Wash i ngto n ( St ate )
Gover n o r ( M E H a y )
S econ d M e s
sage to th e Legi s l atu r e o f 1 91 1
Sho r t B a l lot pp 2 8 —
9
W i l son W ood row A dd re s s o n th e Sho rt B a l l ot be for e th e
City Cl ub Ph i lade l p h i a
W i l so n Wood r o w Ci v i c P rob lem s A dd r e ss D el i ve red Ma rch
9 1 909 at th e An nu a l M e et in g o f th e Civi c Leag u e of St
Lou i s
’
-
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
,
.
.
.
,
,
,
.
.
.
,
.
.
,
.
‘
.
.
,
.
.
,
,
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
,
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
,
.
’
.
.
.
,
.
.
,
.
.
.
.
'
.
.
.
.
.
,
.
,
.
,
.
.
,
,
.
M ag az in e A r ti c l es
-1
1 4
Aca de m y o f Po l it i cal S ci ence P r oce edi ng s
0
9
Co n s t it ut i on a n d P ub l i c O p i n ion Fr ede r i c C H o w e
—
Ame ri ca n City
2
F 1 0 Short B a l lot
- 2
1 0
Amer i ca n City
Mr
S i m pl i fi cat io n o f Pol it i cs
3
Jam e s W Wa d sw orth j r
1 0
Am er i ca n City
N
S h o rt B al l ot O rga ni zati on
Arth u r H G r ant
-1
—
Am e ri ca n C ity
1
1
C
i
ty
M
a
nage
r
P
l
an
th e
J
3
4
A pp li cati o n o f B us i ne s s M ethod s to M u n i ci p a l Gover n m ent
H en ry M W a ite
Am er i ca n Po l iti ca l S ci ence A s soci at ion Pro ceedi ngs 1 909 6 :
65 -7 1
B al lot R e fo rm ; th e Ne ed o f S i m p l i fi cat i o n
R i cha rd
S Ch i ld s
M eri ca n P o l i t i c a l S ci en c e As soci ati o n
P r o c eeedin g s 1 909 6
T en de nci e s A ff ect i ng th e S i z e o f th e B a l lot C h a r l es
93 9
A B ea rd
*
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
’
'
.
.
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
,
’
.
.
.
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
,
,
.
.
.
xi i
B I B LI O GR A P H Y
P roc e ed i ngs ,
Am e r i ca n P ol iti ca l Sc i enc e A s soci at i on
1 909
6
2
P r o p o s e d M eth od s o f B a l l ot S i m p l i fi c ati on A rth u r
7 92
C Lu d i ngton
- 1
A m e r ic a n Pol i t i ca l S c i enc e Re vi e w
My 09 P r e s e nt
6
Statu s o f Ba l l ot Law s i n th e U ni t ed State s A rth u r Ludi ng
.
°
.
.
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
.
to n
.
A mer ica n Pol it ica l S ci en ce Re vi e w
83 F
1 1
P rogre ss
A rth u r L u di ngton
o f S h o r t B a l lot M o vem ent
—
1 5
Am e r i c an Pol it i ca l S ci en ce R evi ew
My 1 2
Sho r t
B a l lot P r i nc i p l e s by R i cha r d S C h i l d s R ev i e w A rth u r
L u d i n gt o n
Ci ty H a l l
1 0
Sh o rt Bal lot
30 A p
R ev i e w o f a n a r t icl e b y W oo d ro w \V il so n i n t h e N or t h A m er ic a n R e
v i ew for M a y 1 9 1 0
’
-
.
.
.
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
.
.
,
.
’
.
.
.
.
.
.
,
Eq u ity S e r i e s
1 0
S ho rt Ba l lot a n d I t s Rel at i o n
9 Ja
t o Di r ect Legi slati on an d Prop o r t iona l R e p r e se ntat ion C G
H oa g
Eq u ity Se r i e s
Ap 1 0
Pol i ti ca l A m b u sh B B Li n d
sey
E q u ity Se r i e s
Ap
1 0
Sh o r t B a llot P r i n ci p le
9
Ri cha rd S Ch i ld s
Eq ui ty S e ri es
1 2 : 1 2 3 -4
1 0
Sho rt B a l lo t
\ V i n s to n
Jl
Ch u r ch i l l
Eq ui ty S e r i e s
1 2 : 1 2 4 -8
J l 1 0 Fak e D e m oc r a cy R i ch a r d
S Ch i l d s
-6
Equ ity S e r i e s
O 1 0 W h a t Otii c es Sh o u l d R e m a i n
El ect i v e U nd e r th e Sh o r t Ba l lot Pl a n ? R i cha r d S Ch i ld s
Eq u i t y S e r i e s
8
H i s to r y o f th e Sho r t B a l lot M o v e
m en t t o Dat e
R i cha rd S Ch i ld s
E q u i ty S e r i e s
1 1
D i rect Legi s l at ion a nd t h e
3 Ap
Sh o r t B a l lot H E D e m in g
Eq u ity S e ri e s
O 13
Sh o rt B a l lot M ov e m en t i n
9
Oh io
*
Eq u ity S e r i e s
8 Ja 1 3
Sh o r t B a l lot —W h a t I t I s —Its
P r og r e s s t o D at e
*
Eq u ity 1 6 : 5 6 J a 1 4 O h i o D e feat
*
Eq u i ty
J a 1 4 Sh o rt B a l lot M ov e m ent i n N ew Y o rk
*
Eq u ity 1 7 : 76-8 J a 1 5 B r i gh t P ro s p ect s fo r th e Sh o r t B a l
l o t in N e w Y o r k
*
Eve rybody s
1 2
Wh at :1 Democ r a cy \V o ul d
3 Mr
B e Li ke
R i cha rd S Ch i ld s
’
-
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
'
.
.
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
.
'
.
.
.
.
'
.
.
.
.
.
'
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
B I B LI O G R AP H Y
Fo ru m
—
64
.
’
Mr
.
.
1
x
M aki ng
4
iii
Effi c i ent
Gove rnment
.
T E Dann e r
I n de p en d ent 6 7 : 1 389
D 1 6 09 Shor t B a l lot
*
1 5
I nde p en d ent 69 : 1 1 5 2 -5 ; 1 3 1 6 N 4 D 1 0 Sho rte st B a ll ot
Luc i u s
C Ga r vi n R e p l y Sh o r t En ou gh B a l lot R i ch a r d
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
,
’
.
.
.
.
.
,
.
.
,
.
.
.
'
S Ch i ld s
A re to o M any E x
M ich i ga n La w R ev i ew
3 7 J a 08
ec utiv e O ffi ce r s Ele ct i ve ?
B M T ho m p son
*N eb r a sk a
Sh o rt B a l lot a n d th e
Stat e J o u rna l F 2 1
1 5
J u d ici a r y Fran ci s A B roga n
—
M i sgo v e r n m ent
No r th A m eri ca n R e v i e w
43 O
71
o f N e w Yo r k— a Re m e dy S u gge sted Ch a r l es No r dho ff
—
H i d e -an d-s eek
60 1 M y
1 0
No r th A m e r i ca n Re v i ew
Pol i ti cs W o o drow W i l son
R ev i e we d i n C i t y H a ll 1 1 : 3 2 9-3 0 A pr il 1 9 1 0
N o r th Am e r i can Re vi ew
1 1
My
1 0
M ult i fa r io u s
A ust ra l i a n B a l lot P L A l l en
“
R epr”i n t e d i n P a u l S R e i n s ch s R e a d i n g s o n A m er ic a n S t at e G o v
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
.
,
.
’
.
.
.
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
,
’
-
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
’
.
e r n m en t .
*
Ou t look
Sh ort B a ll ot : a M oveme nt to
9 J 1 1 7 09
S i m p l i fy Pol i t i c s R i ch a r d S Ch i lds
R epr i n t e d i n p a rt b y th e N at i o n a l S h o r t B all o t O r g an i z at i o n
*
-1
-2
O ut look
1
1
82 9—
3
J" 3 1 A g 7 2 8 09 S ho rt
97
Ba l lot P r inc i p l e
O u t look 93 : 896-7 D 2 5 09 D e s i rabi l ity o f th e Sh o r t B al l ot
H E D e m in g
*
-2
O utlook
Ag 2 8 09 Sho r t B al l ot
’
-
.
.
.
.
,
.
.
.
.
’
.
,
,
.
,
.
,
.
.
,
.
’
.
.
.
.
.
.
,
.
.
’
.
Ou t look
B a l lot
O u tlook
.
.
.
.
,
D 2 5 09 I neff e ct i v e V ote r a nd th e Sh o r t
H J H askel l
O 14 11
Sh am D e m oc ra cy
3
“
A r ev i ew o f S h o r t B al l o t P r i n ci p l es ” b y R ich ar d S C hil d s
O u t look
1 3
P rog r e s s o f th e Sho r t B a l lot
3 F 1 5
’
.
.
.
.
.
.
,
.
’
.
.
.
.
,
.
.
,
.
.
.
.
.
,
.
Pol iti ca l S ci e nce Q ua rt er ly
J e 00 C o m p l e x i ty o f
Ame r ican Govern m en ta l M etho ds
C R W ood r u ff
—
Pol it i ca l S ci e nc e Q u a r t erly
06
B al lo t La w s
58 M r
and T he i r W o nkin g P L Al l en
Pol it i ca l Sci e nce Q ua rte r ly 2 4 : 5 89-6 1 4 D 09 B a l lot s B u r d en
Ch a r le s A B ea r d
“
e
n
e
i
R pr i t d n p a rt i n hi s A m er ic an G o v er n m en t an d P o li t ic s ” pp 4 6 9 8 7
Sho r t B al lot B u l l et i n v i - date Feb IQ I I -dat e S hort B a l lot
O rgani z a ti o n
- 2
7
.
’
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
,
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
xiv
B I B LI O GRA P H Y
S u rvey
go ve rnme nt
*
Worl d s W o rk
Pol i t ic ia n
.
-1
7
Ag
.
’
20,
Sho r t B al lot Cu re fo r M i s
10
.
.
’
-1
.
Ap
.
’
.
P ol i t i c s
1 0
.
w itho u t
th e
.
S TA T E G OV E R N M E N T
’
Ap
1 3
E q u ity Se ri e s
Fut u r e Stat e Gov ernme nt
*
Eq u ity S e r i e s
1 5 : 1 5 6-6 1
J l 1 3 P robl em O f S tat e Gove rn
m en t
*
-6
Eq u ity S e r i e s
O 1 3 N ew T y p e o f S tat e G ov e r n
m en t
I nd e p end ent
1 3
Stat e Ru l e by Co m m i s si o n
9 Ap 3
C ha r l e s M H a rge r
*
Ka n s a s Governo r ( G eorge H H odge s )
M e s sage t o th e
Legi s lat u r e M a rch 1 0 1 9 1 3
Kan s a s Stat e Lib ra ry
Legi s lati ve Re feren ce D e p a r t me nt
L egi sl ati ve Sy st em s 1 91 4
C o n t a i n s a bi b li o g r ap h y
Li te ra ry Di ges t
1 3
C omm i s si o n Gove rn
5 Ap 2 6
men t fo r S t at e s
1 03 : 74 2 -3
O utl ook
Ap 5
1 3
C omm i s si on Gove r n m e n t for
St at e s
*
-2
.
.
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
.
.
,
.
.
.
.
,
.
,
.
.
.
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
,
.
’
.
.
,
.
.
.
C O U N T Y G OV E R N M E N T
B o o ks
a nd
P a m ph l ets
Cartw r ight O th o G ran d fo r d Som e N e ed s to B e C on s i d e re d i n
Recon st r uct i ng Co u nt y Gove rn m ent
( In P r oc eed ing s o f th e
Fi r s t Co n fe rence fo r B ette r County G ov e rnm en t i n N e w
Yo rk State No v 1 3-1 4 1 9 1 4 pp 8
*
C h i l d s R i ch a rd 5
Co unty M anage r Plan
( I n Proceed ing s o f
th e Fi rs t C on fe renc e fo r B ette r Co u n ty Gove rnment i n Ne w
York S ta t e N ove m be r 1 3-1 4 1 9 1 4 pp 65
*
Nati ona l Sho rt B a l l ot O rga n i z at i o n Fi r st Sho rt Ba l lot C o u nty
.
,
.
.
,
.
.
,
.
,
.
,
.
,
.
.
.
M ag az in e A r tic l es
of
th e Am eri ca n A ca d emy 4 1 : 1 93 3 M y 1 2 E fli
c ien c y i n C o u nty Go ve r nment
O tho G ran d fo rd C a rtw righ t
-1
Annal s o f th e Am e r i ca n Acad emy
1 3
El e m e nt s
3 My
o f th e C o unty Probl em H S G i l b e rts o n
Anna l s
-20
.
'
.
.
.
'
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
B I B LI O G R AP H Y
xv
’
Annal s o f th e Am e r i ca n A cademy
Cou n ty
5 My 1 3
Commu n i ty a n d I t s Gov e r nm en t Wi ll i am L B a i ley
- 8
My 1 3 County
An na l s o f th e Am e ri ca n A cade my
3
Governm e n t i n N e w Engla nd F r an k A U p dyke
-1 00 M y
1 3
Anna l s o f th e Am eri ca n Acad emy
C ou n ty
i n Po l i t i cs Ch e ste r Lloy d J on e s
-8
M y 1 3 T h eo
An na ls o f t h e A me r i ca n A cademy
r et ic al ly P e r fe ct Co unty
Ri cha rd S C h i ld s
An na l s o f th e A m er i ca n Aca demy 4 : 2 2 9-36 My 1 3 County
H om e Ru l e i n C a l i fo rn i a ; th e L O A n g e l e s C o unty C h a rt er
Lew i s R Wo rks
An n a l s O f th e Am e r i ca n Acad e my
2
1
1 3
:
S t ate
7 3 My
47
an d Cou nty Go ve rnm ent i n O regon a n d P ro p o se d Cha nge s
W S U R en
*E u ity
1
6
:
J a 1 4 C ou nty P rob l em
q
53 4
*
Revi e w o f R e vi ew s 4 6 : 604-8 N 1 2 Di s co very o f th e C ou n ty
P robl em
H S G i l be r t son
*
1 2
S h o r t B a l l o t B u l leti n
P e r son a l Sugge st i on s
3 F
for a Mode l C o unty Ri ch a rd S C hi l ds
S urvey
J a 2 4 1 4 C omm i s s io n Gove r n m ent a n d Pai d
M an age r s fo r Co unt i es
H S Gi lbertso n
*
Su r vey
J a 2 4 1 4 C omm i s s io n Gov e r n m e n t a n d Pa i d
M a nagers fo r Co u n ti es H S G i lberts on
-2
S u rvey
J a 2 4 1 4 S i gn i fi can ce a nd C ha r act e r o f
R e form fo r C ou n ti es T L H i n ck l e y
*
Wor ld s Work
Co u nty Commi s si on Go ve rn
Jl 1 3
m en t
-2
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
’
'
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
'
’
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
,
.
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
,
.
.
.
.
'
.
.
.
.
,
.
.
.
’
.
’
.
.
.
.
C IT Y G O V E R N M E N T
A c o m p l et e b ibli o gr ap h y o f c o mm i ss i o n fo r m o f m un ici p al
i n cl u de d in th e D eb at er s H an d b ook o n th at s u bj ec t—h en c e
'
is
h er e
'
o v e r n m en t
it s o m i ss i o n
g
.
B o o ks
a nd
P a mph l ets
Ama ri ll o T e x a s Ch a rt er Ado p t ed Novemb e r 1 8 1 91 4
B ea rd Ch a r les A C i ty M a n age r Pl an o f M un i c i p a l Gover n
m ent 2 d e d N atio na l Sho rt B a l lot O r ga n iz at io n 1 91 4
B ea rd Ch a r l e s A ed Lo os e Lea f D ig e st o f Shor t B a l lot
Ch a rte rs A D ocum enta ry H i s tory o f th e Commi s si o n For m
o f M u ni ci p a l Gove rnm e nt
Nati o n a l Short B a l lot O rga ni z a
tio n 1 91 1
.
,
.
,
.
,
.
.
.
.
,
.
.
.
.
.
.
B I BLI O G RA P H Y
xv i
Chi l d s R i cha r d S S to r y o f th e Sho rt B al l ot Cit i e s ; a n E x
p l a nat io n o i th e S u cces s o f th e Comm i ss io n Form O f M un i c i
p a l Gove r n m ent Nat i on a l Sho r t B a l lot O r gan i zatio n
Ci ty M a nage r Pl a n o f M u n ici p a l Go ve rnm ent Am e ri c a n City
.
,
.
.
.
1
91 4
.
.
Dayton O h i o C h a rte r Co m m i ss ion P r o p o sed Ch a r t e r for th e
City o f Dayton 1 9 1 3
Day ton O h io Ci ty Ma nage r Re p o r t o f th e C ity o f Dayton
J a n u a ry I t o J u n e 30 1 91 4 S ubm i tt ed t o t h e Ci ty Comm i s
1 9 1 4 B ur ea u o f M u n ic i p al Re s e a rch
Day
s io n er s A u g u st 1
ton O h i o
D em ing H E Gove r n m
en t o f Ame r i ca n C i t i e s ; 3 P r og r am o f
D e m oc racy P u tn am
1 909
G oo d no w F J Ci ty Gove r n m e nt i n th e U nited Stat e s
C en
t u ry 1 906
Goodn ow F J M u n i ci p a l G ove r n m en t Cent u r y
1 909
H oa g C G Re p r e s entat i ve Co u n ci l Pla n o f Ci ty Go ve r n m ent
Am e r i can P r o po rti ona l Re p r es entat ion Leag u e Pam p h l et
1 91 3
No 2
H ol si n ger S D G en e r a l M a nage r Pla n o f G o ve rnmen t o f
Stau nto n V a 1 91 4
Lock p o rt N e w Yo r k B 0a r d o f T rad e T h e Lock p o r t Pl an
Nat iona l M u ni c i p al Leag u e Com mi s si on Plan a nd Co m m i ssi on
M an age r P la n O f M u ni c i p a l G o v e r nment
R obbi n s E Clyd e S el ecte d A r t i cl e s o n the Com m i s s i on P la n
o f M u n i c i p a l G ove r nm en t 3 d ed T h e H W \V i l s on Com
p a ny 1 9 1 2
C o n t a i n s a bibli o g r a p h y
.
.
,
.
.
,
.
.
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
.
,
.
.
,
.
.
.
.
,
.
_
.
.
.
‘
.
,
.
,
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
,
.
,
.
.
,
-
.
.
.
.
.
.
,
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
S u m te r So u th Ca rol i na Cha m be r o f Co m m e r c e City M an
age r Plan O f M u ni ci p a l G ove r n m ent 1 9 1 3
R e pr i n te d i n B e a r d s L oos e L e a f D i g es t o f S h o r t B a ll o t C h a r te rs
.
,
.
.
.
'
.
T e x a s Un i ve rs i ty B u l l eti n Feb r u a r y 20 1 9 1 5 \V h a t I s t he
C ity M a na ge r P l a n ? H e rm an G J a m e s
C o n t a i n s a bibli o g a p h y
Wa it e H e n r y M Com m i s s io n Ma nage r Pla n i n Act u a l O p e ra
ti on Nat ion a l M u n i ci p a l Leag u e 1 9 1 5
U p s on L D Ch a rte r P r im e r B u rea u o f Mu n ici p a l R e s ea rch
Dayt o n O h io
W i lco x D F St udy o f City G o ver mn e n t pp 2 2 7 -3 2 M ac
.
.
.
.
r
.
,
.
.
,
.
.
.
,
.
.
m i l la n
.
.
.
,
.
,
,
.
1
897
.
.
.
.
B I B LI O G RA P H Y
xv i i
M ag az in e A r ticl es
1 2
Ci ty Ch a rte r s a n d th e S h ort
Am e ri can C ity
43 O
B al l ot H a r ol d S B uttenh eim
Ame r ic a n Ci ty 9 : 5 2 3-5 D 1 3 T o w n M a n age r a s City E n
K R i dd le
g in eer
- 0
Am e r i ca n C i ty
c o m m l S S l O D Form v e rs u s
4
Ja 1 4
Ci ty -M a nage r P l an E S B r ad fo rd ; H I S G i lbe rtso n
—
-1
Ci
ty
M
anage
r
P
la
n
th e Ap
1
1
Ame ri ca n C it y
4
3 J
p li cat i on o f B u si n e ss M ethod s to M u ni ci p a l Go vern m e nt
H e nry M Wa i te
An n a l s o f th e Am e ric an A ca d em y C om m i s s i o n Gov ernm en t i n
A m e ri ca n C it i es 2 d ed 1 91 4 2 8 7 1 A do p t i o n o f th e C i ty
M a na ge r P l an E 8 B ra d fo rd
*A n n a l s o f th e Am e r ica n Acad e m y
-2 2
Short
N 11
Ba ll ot an d th e C o mm i s si o n P l a n R i cha rd S Ch i l d s
*
-8
1 1
Anna l s o f th e A m er i ca n Ac ad emy
M u n i ci
3 N
p a l Gove rn m e nt Adm i n i st er e d by a Ge ne ra l M a n a g er— th e
S ta u n to n P lan Joh n Crosby
*
Anna ls o f th e Ame ri ca n Aca d emy
Th e
N
1 1
7
Lockp ort P ro p o sa l F D S i lve r na i l
An n al s o f th e A m e ric an Ac ad em y Co m m i s s i on Gov e rn m ent a n d
th e C i ty M an ager P l an 2 d e d Am Ac a d 1 91 4
*
A n n al s o f th e Am e ri c a n Ac a d em y C omm i s s ion Go v e rnm en t i n
- 0
Am e ri c a n C it i es 2 d ed
C ity M a na ge r C h a r te r
7
o f D ayton L D U p so n
*
An n a l s o f th e Am e ri c an Ac ad e m y C om m i s s ion Go v e rn m e n t i n
—
Am e ri c an Ci t i es 2 d ed
C ity M a n ager P l a n and
6
E xp e r t C ity M an a ge m ent H S Gi lb e rts on
A r i zon a Re p ubl i can Pho en i x A r i zona S e p te mber 1 2 1 91 3
P r o p o s e d Ch a rte r o f th e Ci ty o f Phoe n i x
Ca l i fo rn i a O utlook 0 2 5 1 3 Co m m i s si on Fo rm and th e C ity
Man ag e r P l an E M W i ld e r
Co n fe re nc e o n Goo d City Gove r nme n t
S ho rt B a l
8
lo t Pr i nc i p l e
R i ch ard S Ch i ld s
C ol l i e r s 5 2 : 5 -6 J a 3 1 4 B u s i n es s -M a n agi n g a C ity I F
M a rc Os s o n
- 0
0 1 3 N ew C ity M a n ag e r C ha rt er s
Equi ty S e r i e s
4
8
Ka ns as M un i ci p al it i e s
J a 1 5 Commi ss i on M a nag er
P la n o f C i ty Gove rnm e n t C A D ykst ra
*
’
-
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
,
.
.
.
,
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
-
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
,
.
.
.
,
.
.
.
.
,
.
,
.
.
.
.
.
,
.
,
.
’
.
.
.
.
,
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
’
’
.
.
.
.
.
,
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
B I B LI O G R AP H Y
xviii
Li te ra ry D i ge st 4 8 : 1 4 7 8 J a 2 4 1 4 D r ivi n g Po l i t i c s o ut o f
Dayto n
-1 0
O utloo k
N 2 0 09 B o sto n A do p ts th e Sh ort B a l
l ot
*
Re vi ew o f Revi ew s
S h o r t B a l lot i n Am e r i
5 Ja 1 2
can C i t i es H S G i l be rtso n
Re v i e w o f R ev i e w s
1 4
P r og re s s o f th e Ci ty
5 F
M a n age r Pl an
Revi e w o f Re vi e w s
1 4
H o w D ayton s C i ty
7 Je
M a n age r Pla n i s W o rki ng L D U p so n
T echni ca l Wo r l d
1 4
D emoc ra cy Ch oo s es an
9 Mr
Au toc rat W W Re nw i ck
-2
T w ent i eth Cent u ry M aga z i n e
Mr 1 1
T h e Sho r t
B a l l ot— th e S ec ret O f th e S ucc e s s o f th e Comm i s s i on P lan
R i ch a r d S Ch i l d s
A l so pr i n te d i n C A B ea r d s L oos e L ea f D i g es t o f S h o r t B a ll o t
C h a rt e rs
’
-
.
.
.
.
,
.
’
.
.
.
.
,
.
’
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
’
-
.
’
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
s tu d i e d a nd i nte ll ige nt concl u s i o n s a rr i ved a t Rel i abl e in fo r
m at ion about ca nd i dat e s i s m u ch m o r e d i ffi cu lt to get I t se e m s
i m p e ra t iv e that th e vot e r sh o u l d h ave som e re l i e f
T h e O bj ect ion that th e c e nt ral i z i ng o f p o w e r i n th e h and s o f a
fe w i s u nd em ocrati c is m e t by th e i n st r u m ent kno wn a s th e r e
c a ll P ow e r fa r f r om be i n g i n o n e h and i s an a tt r i b u t e o f th e
m u lti t ud e T h e m u lt i t ud e act i ng th r ough th e m ed i u m o f th e
r ec a l l i s th e re p os i to ry o f p ow e r
T h e s i m p l i fi c at i on o f th e ta s k o f th e vot e r i s a q ue sti o n p r e s s
i ng for s ol ut io n T h e Short B a l lot i s on e o f th e way s o u t
E D N A D B U LL O C K
A p r i l 1 9 1 91 5
'
.
.
.
.
,
,
.
.
.
.
.
,
.
.
GENERAL DIS CUS S ION
E q ui ty
J an ua ry
-8 .
.
1
,
91 5
B righ t Pr o s p ect s i n N e w Yo r k
T h e re s ult o f th e N e w Yo r k c am p a i gn fo r th e S hort B a l l ot
th i s yea r w i l l h a ve v e ry gr ea t str ategi c i m p o r ta n c e fo r th e wh o l e
movement th ro ughout th e U n i ted S tat e s Fo rt u nate ly th e Co n
st it ut io n a l C o nve nti o n wh ich me e t s i n A p r i l i s com p o s e d o f m e n
w ho de s p it e th e i r cons e rvati s m o n m any s ubj ects m a ke co mm on
ca u s e w ith th os e wh o fa vo r th e s i m p l i fi cat io n o f go ve r n me nt to
th e e nd that th e a verage ci ti z en may s e l e ct h i s p ubl i c re p re se nta
tiv es w i th i nt e l li gent d i sc r i m i n at i o n
C o n s p i c uou s l i ght s i n th e
co n ventio n s uch a s El i h u Root H e n ry L S ti m s on S et h Lo w
H e rbe r t Pa r son s et c n ot onl y do n o t n e e d to b e co n v i n ce d
o f th e m erit a n d i m p o rta nce o f th e Sho rt B al lot p r i n ci p l e b ut
th e y m ay be e xp ecte d to go i nto th e con ve nti o n w ith a m i l ita n t
p ur p o s e t o hav e th e p ri nci p l e w r i tte n i nto th e co n stitu tio n
O n ly o n e memb e r o f p romi ne n c e to w i t : Edga r T r uma n
B racket t o f Sa ra tog a S p r i ngs c a n be co u n t e d on a s a n enemy
o f th e m oveme n t M r B rackett s n am e i s c los ely a s s oci ate d
w ith th e h isto ry o f th e old gua rd a nd e nt ren ch ed s ta n d p ati sm
H e ba s e s h i s p ri nci p a l o pp o s i ti o n on th e a rgum e n t that n oth i ng
shou l d b e do n e to i nc re a se but ev eryth i ng t o d e creas e th e p ow er
o f th e e x e c ut i v e a nd to e x a lt th e l eg i slat u r e C ur i o u s ly enough
M r B ra ckett doe s no t re a li z e th at th e Short B al l ot advocat e s
and h e a r e o n commo n grou n d i n thi s r e s p ect T hat i s t o s ay
i f th e Sh o rt B a l lot p ri nci p l e is ca rr i ed out to it s l ogi ca l l i m it s
i t w ou l d m ea n that only p o l icy -det erm i n i ng o ffi c er s w o u l d b e
el ecti ve a n d that th e e x ecut i ve w o uld b e s ubo rd i nate d to the
l egi sl at iv e br a nch e i th e r by me a n s o f s om eth i n g a n a logo us to
th e city m anager p la n or by t h e a do p t io n o f th e p ar l i am en ta ry
system o f gove rnme nt A n d so M r B ra ckett s keen i nt el l ect
m ay ev e n yet b ri n g h i m a ro u n d to th e p oi nt w h ere h e w i l l b e
.
,
‘
,
,
,
.
,
.
,
.
,
,
,
,
,
.
1
,
,
’
.
.
.
,
,
'
.
,
.
.
,
,
,
’
.
,
.
'
th e mos t r ad i cal o f a l l Short B a l lot a dvo cate s "
Sh ort l y b e fo re th e Nov embe r e l e cti o n a ca n va s s o f a l l th e
ca n d i dat e s for de l e gate s t o th e C o n sti t u ti o n a l C o n ve n t io n w a s
S H O R T B ALL O T
4
m ad e by th e Sho r t B a l lot Or g an i z at i o n T h i s brough t i n 1 2 9
r e p l i e s Of th i s n umbe r a l l but s i x e xp res se d th e m sel ve s a s i n
fa vo r o f th e ge ne ra l p r i nc i p l e t wo w e re aga i n st th e i dea but
o n ly on e o f th em ( M r B r ackett ) wa s e lecte d
Fou r o f th e de l e
gate s w e r e non -comm i t ta l
O f 1 2 3 favo r i ng th e Sho r t B al lo t i de a i n g en e r al p ra ct i cal ly
a l l fa vo red taki ng th e p r i n ci p a l a dmi ni st rat i ve stat e offi ce rs o fl
th e bal l ot an d p ro vi d i ng fo r th e i r a pp o i ntm e n t by th e gove r no r
A few o f th i s numbe r th ough t th at th e com p trol le r sh o u l d
r ema i n o n th e e l ect i v e l i st
S e venty -fou r o f th e 1 2 3 w e r e i n f avor o f a con st itut iona l
a m e ndm e nt wh i ch w o u l d r emov e th e p re s ent r eq u i r eme n t tha t
a l l th e p r i nci p a l cou n ty offi cer s m u s t be e l ect i ve T w e nty -n i n e
w e r e n o n - co m m itta l o r u ndeci ded a n d tw enty w e r e aga i n s t th e
p ro p osi t ion
Fo rty -th re e w e r e d e fi ni te ly i n favor o f m ak i ng th e Co u rt o f
A pp e al s a pp o i nt ive T h e q u e st io n w a s s o s tated th a t i t i s
i mp o s s i ble to det e r m i ne ho w m any o f th e re s t w e r e u nd eci d ed
or
non -commi tta l a nd h o w ma ny w e re a ga i n st th e a pp oi n ted
j u d i c ia ry
E ighty —
fi v e fa vor e d a fou r -yea r te r m fo r th e gove rno r t w el v e
w ere a g ai n st th e p la n a nd th e r ema in de r w e r e n o n comm i ttal
e x ce p t th re e w h o favored a th r e e -yea r te r m a n d o n e w h o
favo re d a s i x -y ea r t e rm
S ev enty -n i n e be l i eved th at th e gove r no r i n making a pp o i nt
m ent s shou l d h a ve co m p l et e r es p onsib i lity fo r th e s a m e a nd
shoul d n ot b e requ i r e d to s ub m it h i s j ud g ment s to th e S en ate
Fou rte en d e fi n itely fa vo re d th e p r esent sy stem o f d iv id e d r esp o n
s ib ility
T h i r ty w e re u n dec i d e d o r non -com m itta l
O n th e a pp l i c ati o n o f th e Sho rt B a l lo t to th e l e g i sl a t i ve s i d e
gove rn m ent ve ry l ittl e h a s y et b e e n sai d T h e N e w
o f th e
Y ork T i me s h ow eve r co m e s o ut w ith th e i nt e re st ing th ough
n o t a ltogethe r o r igi na l s ugge st i on th at th e n umbe r o f re p r e senta
tiv es i n ei the r h ou s e o f th e l egi sl atu r e be m ate r i a l ly r ed u ced
w i th th e i d e a o f i ncrea s i ng th e i m p o r ta nc e o f l egi s l at iv e p os i
ti on s a nd th e reby i n vi t in g a g reat e r i nt e re s t a n d attent ion o n
th e p a rt o f th e vote r
I m m ed ia te ly a ft e r th e el e ct io n o n Novembe r 3 d th e Ne w
Yo r k Sh or t Ba l lot O rgan i z at i o n q u es ti oned
vote r s ( nam e s
t ake n from t el e p hon e d i rectory ) i n N ew Yo r k City a nd s ub u r
ba n and r ura l s e ct ion s :
.
.
,
,
.
.
.
,
’
.
.
.
,
.
.
‘
.
"
,
-
,
,
.
.
.
.
.
,
,
,
.
.
.
,
"
S H O R T B ALL OT
yo u r e me mbe r
s
th e can d ida te you v o ted for
for l ieu te na nt gove r n or
( 3 ) fo r atto r
1 1 ey
( 4 ) fo r s ec r et ary o f s tate ( 5 ) fo r stat e t rea s u r er
”
fo r s tat e e ngin ee r ,
fo r j ud ge C ou r t o f A pp eal s ? R é
t w ee n 7 00 a n d 800 re p l i e s w er e re ce i ved sho w
i ng th at th e
p e r centage o f th ose re p lyi ng wh o d i d no t r e m embe r th e nam e
d fo r w a s a s fol low s
o f th e candi d at e th ey vot e
F o r l i e ute na nt -gove rn o r 2 9 p e r ce nt ; fo r com p trol l e r
f
t
r
e
r
cen
atto
r
ney
gen e r al 40 p er ce nt ; fo r se c reta ry Of stat e
o
;
p
3 1 p e r cent ; fo r st ate t r eas u re r 37 p e r cen t ; fo r stat e engi ne e r
36 per c e nt ; fo r j udge C o u rt o f A pp ea l s 2 8 p e r c ent T h e re w a s
no ch ec k o f co ur s e o n th e v e r ac ity o f th e s i gne rs .
T h i s cen s u s Se em s to di s pos e rath e r eff ect i vely o f th e c l a im
th a t t houg h th e vot er s negl ect oth e r o ffi ce r s th ey d o know
an d care abou t th e com p tr ol le rsh i p
Go v er n o r Wh itm a n h a s e xp res s e d h i ms e l f on th e S ho rt
B a l lot a s fol low s :
"
I am for th e Sho rt B a l l ot I t h i n k th e only e l ec tive offi ce rs
l i euten ant -g ove r nor and
o f th e s tate s h o u l d b e th e gove rn o r
l
r
o
s
i
bly
h
o
m
t
r
l
T
h
e
a
ttor
ney
ge n er a l sho u ld certai nly
s
t
e
c
o
e
p
p
be a ppo i nted by th e gov e rn o r H e i s th e l ega l a dv i s e r to th e
go verno r an d al l th e s tat e d e p a rtment s an d h i s fun ct ion s a r e
s i m i l a r to th o se o f bo th co r p orat i on cou ns e l a nd d i s t r ict atto r
n ey
i “
Do
th e na m e
'
of
-
-
‘
,
‘
,
,
.
'
,
,
:
,
.
,
,
,
,
,
’
,
’
.
,
,
,
'
,
.
'
I
.
'
"
n
'
,
'
.
'
.
,
'
2’
.
N e b ras k a S t a t e J o ur n al
F e b ru a r y 21
.
.
.
‘
1
91 5
Franci s A ; Bro gan
Shor t B a ll ot a n d th e J u d i ci a ry
T h i s whol e s ubj ect o f effi ci e ncy
,
th e a d m in i strat io n o f j u s
t ice i s a l ive top ic th rough ou t th e e nt i r e U n i te d S tat e s S om e
"
t i m e ago th e N at io na l Econ om i c Leagu e i nc ludi ng s om e o f th e
le a di ng th inke rs i n A m e r i ca a pp oi nte d a comm i tte e to i nve s t i
gate the ca u s e s and p ro p o s e reme d i e s T h i s com m i tt e e co n s i st s
e x -p re s i d e nt o f H a rv ard U n i ve rs i ty ;
Of C har l e s W . El i ot
M o o rfi el d Sto r ey a l a wy e r a n d p ubl i c i st o f B oston ; L Oui s D
B rande i s a l awye r o f B oston wh os e se r vi c e s i n the cau s e o f
p o p u la r gove rnment a r e known t o th e e nt i r e p ubl i c ; A J R Oden
be ck an d Ro scoe Pou nd T h ey p ro p os e s i x r ad ica l re m e di e s
r el ati ng t o th e l ega l p ro fes s io n th e j u d ici a r y th e l aw maki ng
the peo pl e t h em sel ve s ? I wi sh th er e c o u l d : be ; befor e
in
.
’
-
,
,
.
.
"
,
”
,
.
,
.
.
.
'
'
"
,
'
'
'
-
,
'
'
-
6
S H O R T B A LL O T
a l l the p e o p l e o f N eb ra s k a 3 f u l l d i s cu s si on o f th e e nti re s i x
q u esti on s r ai s ed by th es e emi n en t ge n tlem e n and a fu l l u n d e r
sta n di n g o f th e i r v i e w s B ut I m u st at th i s t im e con fi ne mys e l f
to on ly o n e p oi nt a nd ca n i n d ul g e i n o n l y a fe w s ugge s ti o n s
c o ncerni ng th at o n e
It i s th e v i e w o f th i s bod y th at to u s e th e i r o w n l angu ag e
“
e ff e c ti ve a dm i n i st r at i on o f j u s ti c e r e q u i r e s a un i fi c at i o n o f th e
j ud ic i al syst em w h e r eby th e w h o le j u d i c i al p ow e r o f th e state
sh a l l b e ve sted i n o n e o r ga n i z at ion o f w h i ch a l l t r ibu n a l s sh a l l
”
be bran ch e s o r de p a rtme n ts o r d i v i s i o ns
A t th e p re s ent ti m e o u r d iff e re n t co urt s a r e to a g rea t e x te nt
s trange r s to e ach oth e r U nti l r ecen tly th e m os t te ch ni ca l p ro
c eedin g wa s
th e t ra n s fe r o f a ca s e from th e d i st ri ct t o th e
su p r em e cou rt fo r p u r p o s e s o f r e vi e w T h e S u p rem e cou r t
w a s n ot p e rmi tt ed t o k now o f th e e x i stenc e o f a l aw s u it i n th e
d i stri ct cou rt u nt i l i t wa s i n t ro du ce d t o i t i n th e mo s t t ech n i ca l
and fo r m a l w ay by th e p roce s se s a t tha t t i m e p r o vi de d by l aw
An d a lth ou gh th e p ra cti ce h a s be en s i m p l i fi e d an d a l ibe r al
co n st r u cti on g i ve n to it y et i t sti l l re m a i ns t r u e th a t th e r e i s n o
con ne ct ion w ha te ve r be tw een th e va ri ou s cou r t s i n Nebra ska
e x ce p t by w ay o f a pp e a l O u r s u p re me co u rt i s not p e rm itt ed
t o co nce rn i t s el f w ith th e gene r a l admi n i st rat io n o f j u sti ce
e x ce p t a s i nd i vi du a l s f r om ti m e to t im e wh e n aggr ieve d by a
d e ci s io n o f th e lo w e r co u r t b ri ng th e r eco r d be for e th e s u p r em e
co u rt o f r ev i e w B y th e i r d ec i s io n i n tha t p a rti cu l a r ca s e th ey
can r igh t w hatev e r w rong h a s bee n don e a n d e i th e r affi rm th e
j u dgm e nt o r sta rt i t o n i t s w ay fo r a ret r i a l T h ey ca n by th e i r
p u bl i sh ed o p i ni on i nd i cate what j u s ti c e re q u i r e s i n tha t p a rt i cu la r
ca s e an d a l l oth e r ca s e s o f a s im i la r n at u r e s o th at o ut o f a l l
the i r p ubl i sh e d O p i n ion s con s i st i ng n ow o f n e arly 1 00 vo l ume s
a system o f la w ca n be e vo l ve d fo r th e gu i dan c e o f la wye r s
i n a d vi s i ng th e i r cl i e nt s a nd th e low e r cou rt s i n d i s p atch i ng
bu s i ne s s
B u t th e r e i s n o adm i n i st rat io n o f th e j ud ici a l d e p a rtm en t
an d th e re n eve r h a s be e n O u r th eo ry o f co u rts p recl ud e s a ny
e fi ec tiv e a dmi ni st rati o n o f th e e nt i r e bu s i ne s s
W e h a v e n eve r
bee n e ve n con scio u s o f th e bu s i ne s s s id e o f adm i n i stra ti on o f
j u stice
T h i s d e fect i n th e i r j ud ic i a l system w a s f u l ly a n aly z ed a nd
u nd e r stood i n E n glan d a g en e rati o n ago a n d now i n tha t
cou n t ry th e r e i s bu t on e cou rt h avi ng d e p a rtm ent s or b ra nch e s
,
.
.
.
,
,
.
,
,
.
'
.
,
,
.
,
,
.
.
’
,
,
,
,
.
,
.
,
,
'
,
,
,
.
.
'
.
‘
.
,
,
.
S H OR T B A LL O T
7
I t i s th e recomm e nd a t i on o f th i s c o m mi ttee that th e st at e s
that a r e d i s s at i s fi e d w ith th e w o rki ng o f th e i r j u d i ci a l system
sh ou l d by a pp ro p r iat e con sti t ut io na l am e ndment a n d ch an ge s i n
th e organ i c l aw e s tabl i s h a s i ng l e cou rt o r a s i ngl e d e pa rtm ent
o f j u s ti ce h av i ng b ranch e s co r r e s p ond i ng to co u rt s I f w e
a do p t ed th i s s ugge st i o n i n N ebra s ka
w e w ou l d ha v e a s i n gl e
co u rt o f w h i ch t h e a pp el l ate d ep artm en th o r s u p r eme c ou rt
w ou ld con s i st o f a ch i e f j u s tic e and s i x a s so ci ate s T h e d i str i ct
co urt de p a rtm en t w ou l d con s i st o f th e p re sent d i str i ct j ud ge s
t ry in g ca s es i n the i r re s p ect i ve p a rt s o f th e stat e and a co u nty
co u rt w i t-h d e p u ti e s co r r e s p ondi n g to th e loc a l j u sti ces o f th e
p eace I t w i l l th u s be s e en tha t n o s e ri o u s sh ock w o ul d be
fel t i n tran s fe r r i ng from th e p r e s ent system to tha t w h i ch i s
p ro p o se d B ut th e ch i e f j usti ce w ou l d b e m ad e th e h e ad o f
th e d e p a rt m e nt o f j u st ic e a n d w ou ld b e l i te r a lly a j udge o f
ev e r y d e p a rtm en t o f th at cour t a s m u ch q ual i fi ed to s i t a s a
j u st ice o f th e p ea c e a co u n ty j udge o r a di stri c t j udge a s to
p re s i de ov e r th e s e s si o n s o f th e a pp e l l ate t r i b u n a l a nd th i s i s
not b eca u s e i t i s d es i r abl e that h e sh o ul d e v e r d o so but it
w ou l d e nab le h i m to orga ni z e al l th e s e s e p a r ate d e p a rtment s
i nto o n e syst em a n d m ak e o ut o f th em a n e ff ecti v e m a
ch i n e ry fo r th e p rom p t a n d e ffi ci en t d i s p at ch o f th e b us i n es s o f
th e co u rt s
It i s p ro p o se d th at th e r e sh al l b e a j ud i ci al co unci l com p os ed
o f a l l th e di stri ct j udge s i n t h e stat e w h o sh a l l e ach y ea r atten d
a me et i ng p r e s i d ed ove r by th e ch i e f j u st ice o r by a p r e si d i ng
fi ce r a pp oi nte d by h im
It i s p ro p os e d th at t h e co unty j u dge s
of
sha l l l i kew i s e meet o n c e a ye a r B oth o f th e s e m eet i n gs sha l l
b e for th e p u r p o se o f r e p o rti ng p rogr es s e x cha ngi ng V i e w s and
t a ki ng c o uns e l w i th each oth e r an d w i th th e p r e s id i ng offi ce r s
as to th e ma n ne r i n w h ich t h e b us i n e s s o f th e p u bl ic so fa r a s
r e late d to th e a dm in i strati on o f j u st i c e i s bei ng cond ucted
O ne o f th e i m p o r ta nt re s u lt s o f s uch a meth od w ou l d b e
th at a l l th e j udi ci a l e ffi ci e ncy o f th i s en ti r e body coul d be c on
at w o rk fo r th e d i sp atch o f b us i ne s s T o bo r row a
st an tl y
mi l ita ry te rm r ecently a pp l i e d to th e r eo rga n iz ed ba n ki n g system
o f th e country th e j u di ci a l e ffi c i e ncy o f th e cou rt s Of N eb ra s ka
”
“
cou ld b e m obi l iz e d s o a s to obta i n th e be st a nd h i gh e st r e su lt s
from th e w ork o f the s e p ubl ic Ser va nt s
I hav e not th e t i m e to go i nto al l th e detai ls o f th e b en efi t s
th at w ou l d accru e from s uch a meth od Som e o f th em may b e
,
,
.
,
,
,
,
'
.
,
,
,
.
‘
.
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
.
,
,
,
.
.
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
.
,
‘
.
.
8
S H O R T B A LLO T
bri e fly re fe rred to Wh eneve r i t w a s a pp a ren t to the ch i e f j u s
t i c e tha t th e w o rk o f th e s u p r em e cou rt w a s not b e i ng d i s p atch ed
s o a s to ke e p u p w ith that docke t j udge s fro m th e d i st r i ct cou rt
c ou ld be a s si gn e d to h el p o u t w i th th e w o r k o f th e s u p rem e
co urt Wh e n th e ca se s i n o n e d i st ri ct h a pp en ed t o be m or e
tha n th e j ud g e o f th a t d i st ri c t co ul d d i s p at ch w i th p ro m p tn e s s
j ud ge s fro m oth e r di s tri ct s cou ld be a s si gne d to c le a n up th e
o rk
M a ny oth e r deta i l s o f th a t ch ara ct e r w ou l d r ead ily s ug
g est th em s e l ve s
T h e r e a r e oth e r p h a s e s o f th i s method w h i ch w ou ld commend
to the p ubl i c wh e n i t s e ffec ts b ecom e a pp a r e nt O n e i s th at
th e r e w ou l d b e a n o pp o rtu n i ty for p romoti o n o f j u dges from o ne
de p artm ent to a n o th er a n d a p ro fes s i ona l s p i ri t w oul d b e c reated
s u ch a s obtai n s i n a w e l l man age d a n d h i gh ly org an i z ed b u s i ne s s
i n st itut io n w he r e th e low e s t cl e rk as p i re s to be gen e r a l ma nag er
b y m ean s Of th e re co rd w h ich h e ca n mak e i n h i s w o rk
W hat h a s al l th i s t o d o w ith th e Sho r t B al lot a n d th e
const i tut iona l conventi on ?
I n the fi rs t p lace th e com p l et e s uc c e s s fu l r e or ga n i z at io n o f
o u r j ud i c ia l system can no t b e b r ough t abo u t by l egi s la ti on n Or
b y , con sti t u
t i on al ame ndment s a do p ted s e p a ra tel y by p i ecem e al
No r c an w e h Op e to s e cu r e th e a cce p tan ce o f th e r ad ic a l ch a nge s
ne ce s sa r y b y m e an s o f de s u ltory d i sc u ss ion a t m eet ing s o f th i s
cha r acte r a nd e l s ewh ere wh en e ve r th e s u bj ec t o f th e d is s atis fa c
t io n o f th e p eo p l e w i th th e w o rki ng o f th e i r co ur t s com e s u p
fo r con si de r ati on
I t can b e a de q u at ely d ea l t w ith only i n a
con sti tut i ona l con ve nt ion s el ected by th e p eo p l e o f Nebra ska in
th e m a nn e r p r o vi d ed by o u r p re sen t l a w
I t h as bee n a pp a re n t fo r t wenty ye a rs tha t ou r cou rt s w er e
W e h a ve ado p ted va r i o u s
n o t r e s p on si ve to th e p u bl i c n e ed s
re m e d ie s a nd m a de u s e o f ma ny d e vi ce s s o m e o f th em by
legi sl at i on an d some by con st it ut i o na l am e ndmen t yet a t th e end
o f t w enty yea rs o f su ch e xp e r i m e nt ati on w e a re ba ck -t o wh e re
w e w e r e a t th e beginn i ng w i th a congest ed do cket i ne ffi ci e ncy
d el a y an d p ubl i c d i s s at i s facti o n w ith th e ad m i n i s t rat i on o f j u sti c e
-e stabl i sh i ng th e s u p rem e
fi
p
ro
p
os
ed
t
o
m
eet
th
e
d
if
cul
ty
b
r
e
y
It is
co u rt com m i s si o n T h e only o b j ecti on I w o u l d s u gges t to tha t
meth o d i s o n e th at I m ad e t w e nty y ea r s ago wh e n i t wa s fi rs t
p ro p os e d I f i t se rve s on ly to t u rn a way p u bl i c att ent i o n fro ni
th e v i ta l n ee d o f a n ent i re r eo rga n i zat ion th e n i t wo ul d be bett e r
to s u fi er fo r a w h i l e th e e vi l s o f a conge st e d d ocket a n d th u s
.
.
.
,
w
.
.
.
.
_
,
,
.
,
.
,
,
'
.
,
.
,
”
,
,
’
'
.
,
.
.
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
.
.
,
.
.
,
,
S H O R T B AL L O T
1 0
t ha t th e a p po i ntme nt sh o u l d b e i n th e fi rs t i nst ance fo r a fi x e d
t erm an d th e tenu r e the rea fte r sh ou l d be d e p en d ent u p on a
p o p ula r el ect ion at w h i ch n o o n e w ou l d be e l i gi bl e e x ce p t tho s e
wh o h ad a l r ea dy s e rv ed by a pp oi ntm en t
I t i s rath e r a r e markabl e c i r cum sta nce w h en w e a r e d i sc u s s
i n g th i s s u bj ect i n th i s stat e ca p it al o f N ebra ska a long l i n e s o f
d i sc uss i o n w h i ch o rigi n a t ed w i th th i s nat iona l bo dy th at o f th e
s eve n m embe r s o f th e st ate s u p reme cou rt fi ve beg a n th e i r
s e rvi ce i n that b o dy e i th e r a s j udge s o r com m i s s i one r s by
a pp o i ntm ent a n d a fte r a p er io d o f s u ch s e rvi ce they w e r e p ro
m ot e d to th ei r p re s en t p osi t io n s by p o p u la r el e c ti o n an d th a t
s i x o u t o f th e s e ve n se r v e d a s d i st ri ct j udge s be fore be gi n ni ng
th ei r c a r ee r s on th e h igh e r co u rt I n th i s re s p ect th e re fo r e th e
p la n doe s not p ro p o s e a se r iou s i n n ovati on n o r s ugge st a n y
i m p o rt ant d iff e re nc e i n th e p e rson ne l o f o ur j udge s b u t o n ly
a im s at a n organ i zat i o n w h i ch w i l l m ake fo r e ffi c i ency i n
m eth od
Wh at h a ve th e s e s uggest ion s to do w i th th e w o rk o f a p o p ula r
gove r n me nt l eagu e ? T h e fi rst ca su a l gla nce a t th i s p l a n w o ul d
s ugg e s t t h e obj e ct ion th at i t i s t a ki ng th e j ud ic ia ry a way from
th e d i re ct co nt ro l o f th e p eo p l e a nd the re fo r e i s not i n a cco rd
w i th th e p u r p o se s o f a p o p u la r gov er n m ent l eagu e B ut j u s t
a s th e r e form e d gov e rn m en t o f ou r m uni ci p al i t ie s h a s p a s s ed
th rough th e c o m m i s s i o n stage an d i s ra p i d ly a pp roach i ng th e
p la n o f a gen e r a l m an age r s el ecte d by comm i s s ion a nd j ust a s
th e mov em e n t wh i ch h a s be e n i n o p e rat ion i n th i s cou nt ry fo r
so m e ye a rs i n fa vor o f mo r e di r ect cont ro l by th e p eo p l e ove r
the i r gove r nmenta l a ff a i rs ha s l ed i n e vi tably t o th e ag itat i o n fo r
the Sho r t B al lot a s a m e an s by w h ich th at cont rol ca n b e mad e
eff ect i ve so th i s p l a n p r o p o s ed fo r th e j ud i ci a ry is th e i n e vitab l e
o utcom e o f th e agitat i on fo r th e reorga ni zat i on o f th e cou r ts s o
that th ey may c a rry i nto e ff ect th e po p ul a r w il l a nd a t th e s am e
t i m e p r e se rve the f u nda m ent a l p ri nc i p l e s of j u st ic e
T o e n abl e a ch i e f j u st i ce t o u n i fy th e m e r e b u si ne s s s id e o f
th e co u rt s doe s n o t m ea n tha t h e co u l d d i ctate th e d eci si on s i n
a ny o f th e cou rt s Ea ch j u dge a fte r h i s a pp oi ntm e nt w o uld
becom e ent i r ely i nd e p e nd e nt o f th e ch i e f j u st i c e wh o a pp o i nt e d
h i m H e w o u ld th e rea ft e r look t o the p eo p l e fo r h i s re-e l ect i on
T h i s w oul d p re ser ve th e i nde p end enc e o f th e j ud ic ia ry a nd a t th e
same t im e m ake it r e s p on s i ve to th e p o p ul a r w i l l B u t i t w o uld
h old th e ch i e f j u st ic e re s p on s ibl e fo r th e o rgan i z at i o n a n d admi n
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
,
.
,
.
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
.
.
,
,
.
.
.
S H O RT B A LL O T
II
i s tratio n
o f th e forc e s p rov i de d by la w fo r th e d i s p atch o f bu s i
ness
A s a d e ta i l o f th i s p l an i t i s p ro p o s e d tha t th e ch i e f
j usti c e cou l d b e r emo ved from o ffi ce not by th e cumbe r s om e
meth o d o f i m p e achm e nt b ut by r e s o l ut i on o f th e legi s lat ur e
u p o n com p l a i nt a nd a fte r d u e h ea ri n g a n d th at a n y j u dge i n
the ent ir e syst em oth e r th an th e ch i e f j u sti c e c ou ld b e removed
by a ct io n o f a t ribu na l con s i st i ng o f o r m ad e u p f rom a l l th e
j udge s o f th e s u p rem e a n d d i st r i ct cou rt s a nd th at i n a dd it i o n
t o s uch c ontro l th e legi slat u r e its e l f c o u l d r em ove any j udge
i n th e sam e ma nn e r a s th e chi e f j u st i ce
I w i sh t o m ake on e s ugge sti o n o f a gene r a l n a tu r e to clo s e
thi s p a p e r I w a nt to be s p ea k a n o p e n m i n d a nd a n i m p a rti a l
h e ari ng on th e p a rt o f th e p eo p l e a n d th e l e a de rs o f th e p eo p l e
for th e p ro p os a l s w h i ch h ave r e s u lte d from th e d i si nte r e st ed
w ork o f th e p ubl i c -s p i r it e d m e n i n th e nat io n w ho a r e be n d i n g
th e i r en e rgi e s t o th e sol ut io n o f th i s v e x ed p rob l e m o f e ffi c i ency
i n th e a dm i ni st rat io n o f j u s ti ce I f th e p eo p le r e fu s e to give a
fa i r h e a ri ng to a car e f ul ly p r e p a re d p l a n be c a us e i t ru n s cou n t e r
to s om e e x i st i n g p rej u di ce th e n w e s hal l cont i nu e ou r p r e s ent
i nade q u at e me t hod s o f de a l ing w i th th i s de l i cat e a nd v ita l
’
fu ncti o n o f g o ver n m en t an d n o rad i c al an d d ee p s eat e d r e form
ca n be b rough t a bo ut
O n th e oth e r hand i f w e w i l l g i v e to the con s id e ra ti o n o f
th i s s ubj ect th e sam e ca n d i d an d o p e n m ind ed a tte n ti o n th at
w e a r e able t o gi ve t o othe r qu e st i o n s ii w e c an j u s ti fy Ki p
“
l i ng s d esc r i p tio n o f th e Am eri ca n a s one wh o t u r ns a ke e n
”
untro ubl e d face s trai gh t to th e i n sta nt n eed o f th i ngs e x i st i n g
d i ffi cu lt i e s i n th e a dm i ni st rat io n of j u st ic e can be s o com p l et e l y
r emove d th at w e w i l l come i n ti m e to w o n der w hy i t w a s
del ayed s o lo n g
.
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
.
.
,
.
,
,
.
’
,
,
.
P o l it i c s with o ut P o l it ic ian s
*
R i cha rd S C hi lds
.
P OLI T I C IA N : A c i t i z e n w ho k n ow s w ha t h e i s do i ng o n e l ec
t ion d ay H e go e s t o th e po l l s an d vote s f o r some t w e nty -thr ee
ca ndi d at es al l o f w h om h e kn o w s abo u t
POLI T I C AL O RGA N I "A T I O N : A n am e g i v e n t o a s e ri e s o f c e r e
mo ni e s wh e re i n th e p ol it i ci an b e fore e l ect io n s e t s th e t ab le fo r
.
.
,
,
‘
R epr in ted f r o m
‘
S at ur d ay Even i n g
P os t,
J an uar y
2 2,
1
9 1 0.
S H O R T B A LL O T
12
th e el ecto rate by s e l ect i ng t w enty -th r e e ca ndi d ate s a n d tying
”
“
th em u p n eatly l ike a s p a ragu s i n bun ch e s ca l l ed t icket s
E L ECTO R A TE : A mob o f ci t i z e ns tha t goe s to th e po l l s be for e
th e bal l ga m e o n el ect ion d ay a nd p i cking o ut one o f th e ready
m ad e bu nche s ca st s i t i nto th e ba l lot b o x Ea ch c i ti ze n th u s
vote s for th re e me n wh o m h e kno w s abo u t a nd t w enty othe r s
h e ne ve r h e a r d o f A pp l y i t to yo u r se l f
N am e p l ea s e th e
cou nty cl e rk th e stat e t re a su re r th e co ro ne r and th e a ld e rma n
yo u vot ed fo r la st t i me ; and why you p r e fe r red ea ch
"
M I S R E PRE S EN T A T I V E G O V E R N M EN T : A condi t i o n w h er ei n o f
fi c ial No 1 8 , e le cted a s abov e i s mo r e grate f u l ly obed i e nt t o th e
p o l iti ci a n w h o grac iou s ly ti ed h i m u p i nto th e v icto r i o u s bu nch
th a n to th e el ecto rat e w h ic h w e nt o ff t o th e ba l l gam e w ith ou t
not i ci n g th e e igh t een th nam e o n th e t i cket a t a l l
D I KE C I P R I M A R I E S : A n a rr angem e nt that p e r m i t s th e el ec
t o r ate to be p r e sent at the bu nch -m aki ng
A n i nco m p l ete s ucce s s
fo r th e sa m e r e a s o n th at th e el ect ion i s a n i ncom p l et e s u cc e s s
n a m ely that th e el ecto r at e n e ve r h a s i n m i nd a s m a ny a s
tw enty -th r e e m e n th a t i t w ant s
T h e c l a s s i n p ol i t ica l s ci e nce i s n o w d i smi ss ed T h e cl as s
i n Uni t ed State s h i sto r y w i ll a s sembl e
,
.
,
,
.
,
.
.
,
,
,
,
.
'
.
,
'
,
,
,
.
‘
.
,
,
.
.
.
Th e A s pa ra g us V o ting S y s tem
I n th e fi r st d eca de s o f th e Re p u bl i c th e r e w e re ve r y fe w e l ec
t i ve offi ce s Cand i d at e s c a m e t o th e front by va r io u s m ethod s
an d c a m p a ign ed fo r th e vote s a n d i n d u e t im e M r Ci ti z en w ent
t o th e p oll s a nd w rot e dow n o n bl an k p a p e r f r om m e m o r y th e
t wo o r th r e e n a m e s o f h i s s el e ct ion
B al l ot d ev ice s v a r i ed b u t
th e v o tin g w a s un i for m ly f r om m emo r y
T i cket s u nd e r s u ch
Each vot e r m ad e u p h i s o wn l i s t
c o ndit io n s wer e i m p o s s i bl e
i n h i s h ea d a s a res ul t o f h i s p r i vat e o p i n i on s A nd tha t i s
rea l d emoc ra cy
“
”
Jac k son i an d e m oc r acy w i th th e be st o f i nte nt ion s c h a nge d
al l th i s s i x ty y ea r s ago Eve ry stat e fel t tha t wa ve o f o p i ni o n
an d on ly th e Fed e r al Con st i tut ion sh e lte r ed by d iffi c u lty o f
am end ment e sca p e d ch a nge H a d i t be en mo r e ea s i ly a lte red
w e wo u ld d o u btl e s s to day be e l ect i ng not m e r e ly p re sid ent a nd
vi ce -p r e s i d ent b u t a l s o th e cabi n et offi ce r s th e j u d ge s a n d c le r ks
t h e fed e r a l d i st r i ct
o f th e S u p r e m e Co u r t a nd th e ci rc u i t co u r t
atto rn eys ma r sha l s a n d p o s t m a s t e r s In s tat e s a n d c i t i e s j u s t
such th ing s d id h a pp en a nd th e o ld fre e vot i n g ba s ed o n i nd i
.
.
,
,
,
.
,
’
'
.
’
'
.
.
.
,
,
.
,
,
.
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
S H O R T B ALL O T
1
3
vi dua l O p i ni o n a lm os t com p l et ely va ni sh ed s u r v i v in g now on ly
i n smal l tow n e lecti on s w h e re eve rybody know s eve rybody e l se
I t wa s an ea sy m i st ake to ma k e G r a nt ed tha t th e p eo p l e
cou ld w itho u t d ange ro u s co n fusi on take ca r e o f tw o o r th ree
El ec ti o n s i n o n e d ay w hy no t i n c re a se th e n um b e r to t e n or
tw enty o r th irty ma ki ng co rone rs a n d j u dge s a n d cou nty c le rk s
“
an
d c ity a ud ito r s el ect i ve a nd d i rect ly r e s p on s ibl e to th e p eo
”
?
—
—
l
e
o
I
t
w
a
s
ha
rd
to
fo
r
e
s
ee
a
nd
m
i
ll
i
n
s
d
o
se
e
yet
th a t
o
t
n
p
i nc rea si ng th e n u m ber o f s i m u ltan eo u s e l ecti on s w a s suffi ci e nt to
T h e o l d e l ectorat e cho s e men i t
eff ect a ch ange o f p r i n ci p l e
k new e i the r p er son al ly o r by ad e q uat e h e a rs ay— th e n ew e l ecto r
ate cho s e m en i t d i d not kno w eve n by n am e
T h e ch ange w a s
va s t a n d fun dam enta l I t e s tab l i sh e d a ne w an d d i ffi c ul t co n
d i ti o n i n wh i ch d emoc racy cou l d n o t o p e r at e I t wa s l i ke l e ngth
en i n g a s wo r d ti l l i t bec ame too c umbe r s ome fo r th e sol d i e r to
Wi el d th u s p ra ct ic al ly d i s a rm i ng h im An d from that d ay th is
n at io n h a s act u a l ly not h ad a d emoc rati c fo rm o f go vernm ent
b ut a n un w orkable i m p r acti ca l i m i tat ion tha t c an only b e o p e r
ate d by p ro fe ss io n a l s
Face d w i th th e p robl em o f e lect i n g m or e m e n tha n h e cou l d
de ve lo p o p i n i o ns a b o ut th e ave rage vote r sh o rt en ed h i s ta s k to
mo r e r e a son abl e l i m i t s by al l ow i ng thos e oth e r vote r s w ho w e r e
s u ffi ci e ntl y i nte r e st ed to t i e u p th e cand i date s fo r h im l ike sta lks
o f a s p a ragu s i n th e h an dy l i ttl e b u n ch e s so th at h e co u l d vot e f o r
a w ho l e bun ch at once Unab l e to e x am i n e an d se l ect th e
var io u s st al ks i n th e b unch th e vot er j u dg ed b y th e look s Of
th e mo s t p rom i ne nt s tal k an d by th e cha racte r o f th e m en wh o
re comm e nd ed on e bu nch a s com p a r e d w i th th at o f th e m en w ho
A fte r a t i me th e s e bu nch e s or
r ecomm e nd ed oth e r b u nche s
t i cket s habi tu al ly wo r e th e names o f n ati ona l p a r t i e s althou gh
obvio u s ly th e re cou l d n o t p r o p e rl y b e a R ep u bl ican w ay o r a
P r o h ibi ti o n w ay o f r u n n i n g th e o ffi c e o f s tate a ud ito r o r C l erk
oi th e cou rt
A s th e vote r wa s n o lon ge r vot i ng fo r i nd i vi d u al
me n but onl y fo r b u nch e s a m a n wh o d es i red t o r u n fo r p ubli c
o ffi c e co u ld ha r d ly ho p e fo r s uc ce ss sa ve by a pp ly i ng p r ivately to
th e men w h o ti e d u p th e mo s t p o p u l a r bun ch T hi s s ave d th e
can did at e a ny emba rr as sm ent th at h e m igh t h a ve s uff e r e d i f
com p e lled to sta nd o u t i n con s p i c uou s sol i t u d e be for e th e s ea rch
in g sc ruti ny o f th e p u bl i c I n fact al l th e s ma l l stalk s i n th e
bu nch e s cou l d k ee p s t i l l o r go to E u r o p e d u r i ng th e c am p a i gn
o r fre ely a dm i t a reco rd bl a ck a s i nk
a nd yet b e t r i um p h antly
,
,
.
,
.
,
,
,
,
'
.
,
.
.
,
.
'
.
,
,
,
.
I
,
,
'
.
'
,
’
.
,
,
,
,
,
’
.
,
,
’
.
'
.
,
,
S H O R T B AL L O T
I4
el ected I t i s e ven a m atte r o f c o u rt reco rd i n on e g rea t
Am e ri can c ity that em pty n ame s th e fi g m en t o f a bo s s s i magi
n a tio n w e r e el ect ed to m i no r o ffi ce s
Fu rth e rmo re m i no r can d i date s wh o d i d v i go ro u sly se ek
p ubl ic attent ion fou n d th e vote r s apath eti c I t wa s n ot th at th ey
d i d no t w ant th e b est ma n to get th e l i ttl e offi c e b ut th e d i ffe r
en ce i t cou l d m ake w a s so t ri fl ing that e ach v ote r s sha re o f th e
p ubl i c i nte res t c oncern e d th e rei n w ou l d h a rd ly j u st i fy th e en e rgy
re q u i re d t o s tu dy th e qu e st ion A n d i f n ev e rthel e s s al l c an
d i dates fo r a l l th e o ffi ce s d ut i f u l ly m a d e a fu s s t h e B abe l wou l d
h av e be en too con fu s i n g to b ri ng any g rea t o r app rec iab l e
i nc reas e i n pop ul a r d i sc ri m in ati on
T al k w ith a cit i z en o f To ronto o r G la sgo w o i Luc e rn e an d
h e w i l l tel l yo u th at th e rea son fo r th ei r c l ean e ffi ci ent scand al
free go ve rn m ent i s i n th e s up e rio r c i v i c p ri de o f th ei r p eop l e
wh ich wo u l d n eve r tol e rat e bo s s i sm fo r a m i n ut e B ut l et h i m
come to th i s l an d an d a s su m e c it i z en sh i p an d see w hat h app en s
.
’
,
.
,
,
.
,
'
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
.
,
Tw en ty -fi v e E l ec tio ns
On e D ay
on
T ak i ng an i nte re st i n h i s n ew franch i se h e stu d i e s t h e s ubj ect
ca re fu l ly a s i t i s p re sent ed to h i m i n th e p ubl i c p ri nt s a n d
u n de rtake s to make u p h i s m i n d a s t o w ho m h e want s t o v ot e
fo r G oi ng to th e po l l s on el ection d ay h e fi nd s o n h i s bal l ot th e
na m e s o f t h e m ayo r o f hi s cho ice th e comp t rol l e r and p erhap s
on e o r t wo othe r c an d id ate s w h om h e h a s s ee n o n the p ubl i c
p lat fo rm A t th e mo st h e p robably h a s a n i nt el l igent op i n i on
o r an op i n ion o f an y k in d
conce rn i n g fo u r o r fi ve o f th e p ri n
c ipa l men
H e con front s h ow eve r a h uge sh eet o f pape r con
t ai n ing p e rhap s on e h un d red n a me s a r range d i n col u m n s abo ut
t wenty -fi ve deep A s h e w o u l d exp re s s i t th e re a r e t w enty -fi ve
e l ecti on s o n o ne d ay H e fi n d s h i m sel f i nv i ted to choo se b et ween
S m ith J one s W i l l i a m s and Joh n son f o r th e o ffi c e o f co u nty c l e rk
H e ha s gi ven n o th o ught to tha t o ffi c e h e k no w s n oth i ng o f t h e
men wh o a re nam ed an d i f h e sh ou l d go ba c k to con s ul t h i s
n e w sp ape r fi l e h e wo ul d fi n d that t h e n e w sp ape r s h a d sa i d l i tt le
T h e o fii c es o f sh e r iff cou nty c l erk
o r no th ing
ab o ut th em
sup ervi so r o f th e poo r p u bl i c l i bra rian com mi ss ione r o f p ubl i c
wo rk s a re a l l evid en tly bein g cont e sted fo r b ut h e h a s n ot h ad
th e sl igh te st in fo rmat i on a s to t h e rel at i v e capab il it i e s o f th e
m en a nd wh en fi na l l y i n bew i l d e rment h e c a s ts h i s vot e fo r
,
.
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
,
.
.
,
,
,
,
'
.
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
S H O R T B A LL O T
1
5
st rai gh t p a rty t i c k et h e i s regi ste ri ng an i nt el l i gen t op i ni on
on abo u t o ne-tenth o f h i s bal lot ; th e oth er n i n e -t en th s h e h a s
d el egat ed by de fau lt to t h e con t ro l o f th e p a rty bo ss an d i s
bl in d ly regi st e ri ng h i s co mpa rat i ve con fi d enc e i n th e m en cho sen
by on e s et o f p a rty b o s se s rath e r th a n tho s e p u t fo rw a rd by th e
opp o si ng l ea de rs H e vote s b l i n dl y fo r th e m o st pa rt an d a
m an w h o v ote s b l in d ly i s b ei ng b o s se d
H e i s n o b ette r th an th e r est o f u s yo u se e I n fact i f th i s
lon g b al lo t h a d app ea red i n h i s o wn h om e c ity i t i s p robab l e
th a t it s con sequ enc e s wo u ld h a ve b e en e ven w o rs e th an h e re
For w e h av e w i de sp rea d ed u c at ion a qu ick flo w o f i n fo rm at ion
un equa l ed p ol i ti cal gen i u s an d a c i v i c pri d e th at w i l l s tan d o n
it s h i n d l egs an d p a w th e ai r fo r j oy wh en the re i s a nyth i ng to
j ub i l at e abou t
“
”
“
B u t ad m itt i ng al l th i s
yo u s ay
i f o u r p eo p l e rea l ly do
w an t good gov e rnm en t w o u l d th ey not h av e m ad e t h e p ol it ic i an s
gi v e i t to th e m ? W ou l d t h ey n o t h av e re wa r de d m eri t i n bo s ses
by e l ecti ng th e b ette r b un ch e ach ti m e an d th u s make th em s eek
to su i t t h ei r w i sh es to th e utmo st a s a t r a de sman se ek s to p lea s e
”
?
a c u stom e r
E x act ly s o and t h ere i s a l i m it to m i sgov ern
m ent a t i m e wh en w e b al k a t th e q u a l ity o f th e good s w e are
gett in g an d t h e bo ss mu st k eep u s conte nt B ut th e r e i s a
counte r-t en dency do wn w ard i n th at th e bo s s -t rad esm an w an ts
h i s p ro fi t an d i t i s th at p ro fi t o r g ra ft t h at w e obj ect to I t
wou l d seem t h at w e mi gh t fi n d an d keep i n p o w e r bo s ses w ho
w e re so p u b l i c -sp i rite d that th ey w ou l d co l lec t n o g ra ft T ha t
do e s not h app en becau s e th e d om i nant o rgan i z at i on in any com
mu n i ty i s al w ay s co rrup t To make a l e s s b r u ta l st atem ent
th e dom in ant o r ga n i z at i on i s th e on e t hat get s co r r up ted T h e re
i s n o p oi n t i n co r rupt in g a p o w erl e s s mach i n e I t i s to th e
pa rty w i th pow e r th at th e gr aft e r s an d s el f-s e eke r s fl oc k A
“
”
c l ub can rep e l b oa rd e r s an d e xp e l ra s ca l s t hat a re fo un d i n si de
bu t a p a rty i s p o w e rl e s s to p rot ect i t sel f agai n st cont am i nat ion
Th e Rep ub l ican p arty w a s o ut o f th e g r ip o f i t s fou n de r s a fte r
i t s s econ d v i cto ry Let th e P roh ib i t ion p a rty c a rry a ci ty el e c
ti on onc e an d th e sa l o on el em en t w o u l d qu iet ly j oi n i t an d
d om in at e it Re fo r m p a rt ie s w i thou t n u mbe r hav e gon e o n th e
rock s b ecau s e th e o rigi n al refo rm er s cou l d no t p r ev en t th i s
inte rn al p o i son i ng A long -b a l l ot sy stem o f gove rn ment d e
man d ing mach i n e s to o p er at e it canno t i n th e lon g r u n e l u de
th e
,
,
,
,
.
,
.
.
,
,
.
,
,
.
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
,
.
,
.
,
.
.
.
.
,
.
.
,
.
.
,
'
,
,
,
i6
S H O R T B ALL O T
-
contro l b y c o r r upt m ach in e s P ol it i ca l compl ex ity th u s, i nd i
r ec tly
i nv ite s m i sgove rn m en t a s a utomat i cal ly a s da rk st reet s
i n vi te c ri m e
.
,
.
W o rk
Th e
th e B o s s D
o es
Yet un d e r p re sen t con d i t i on s we can not d i smi ss th e m ach i n e
fo r ou r pol it ical sy st em n o t being sh ape d t o fi t any el ecto rat e
com po sed o f h u m a n b ei ngs wo u l d h a rd ly w o rk at al l w ith ou t
th e m ed i at ion o f a ce rtai n d eg ree o f e xt ra -l ega l bo s s -organ i zat i on
t o suppl em ent i t s awkw ardn es s S u ppo se th e r e w e re n o t i cket
m ak ing m ach i n es fo r i n stanc e i n Cl evel an d O h io w h e re t h e
1 908
bal l ot ca r ri ed fo rty -seven offi c e s Ca n y o u p i ct u re th e
“
”
g reat bl anket change d f ro m th e l on g r u l e d col u mn s w ith
“
”
—
st ra ight t i cket c i rcl e s at th e top t o a n on -p a rt i san
s ugge st i v e
b a l l ot over w ho s e un l abele d ch ao s o f n am e s th e vot e r m u st
sp ri nkl e h i s fo rty -se ven s epa rat e " ma rk s ? Ca n yo u i magin e
a ny
o rd ina ry v ote r c ompa r ing th e i n d i vi d ua l me rit s o f each
cand i dat e i n each o f th e forty -s even sc ri mmages ? A n el ecti on
p u rpo rt s to gath e r op i n i on s b u t s u ch an el ect i on wou l d d o
noth i ng o f t h e so rt I t wo u l d b e l i ke l ettin g th e sch oo l ch i l d ren
v ot e —th e re sul t w ou l d r ep re sen t l itt l e o r not h in g I n b i g
d i r ect p ri m a ry el ecti on s wh e re the re a re n ot t i ck et s th e bo s s i s
“
o ften p l a u s ibl e w h e n h e a rgu es :
Yo u h a d at l ea st my j u dg
men t u n d e r th e ol d con vent ion sy stem — no w you h av e n obo dy s
j u dgmen t fo r th e p eop l e d o n o th i nki ng at a l l on th e maj o ri ty
of th e nam es a n d th e res u l t i s on ly th e ou tcom e o f a n u nj udged
i rr es pon si bl e sc rambl e fo r offi ce f requ entl y pa rtic ip at ed i n by
”
k n av es w h om I wou l d h av e exc l u ded
N o c u rse th e bo s s al l you p l ea s e b u t w e a r e i n d ebte d to
him fo r d oin g th e w o rk w h i ch t h e el ecto rate igno re s an d th u s
ma ki ng o u r i n stit ut i on s wo rkabl e
Th e sta nda rd ol d remedy p resc ri bed fo r th e nat i ona l a i l m e nt
of m i s rep re sentat i v e gov e rn men t i s fo r th e el ecto rat e p ubl i c
sp i r itedly t o t ak e fi r m h ol d o f i t s el ecto ra l wo rk an d t o l ea rn to
m ak e gen u i n e s el ect ion s f rom each o f th e t we nty -th ree s ets o f
c an d i dat e s ; i n oth e r w o rd s t o become pol it i c ian s
T h at th e A me ri can e l ecto rat e ha s n eve r seen fi t to a dopt
"
“
th i s pl a n i s p o s s ibly rathe r fo rtu n ate fo r i f a l l good c i t i zen s
d id go i n to pol it ic s t ak in g an act i ve con st ructi v e p a rt i n th e
s el ect ion o f a l l o ffi ci al s i nd u st ry p ri o r t o each e l ec tio n wo u l d
w hole sa l e d emo ral i zat ion M oreove r a c it i z en sh i p t ha t
s uff e r
,
,
,
,
,
.
‘
.
’
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
,
.
,
.
‘
,
,
.
’
,
,
,
,
'
I
.
,
,
'
,
.
‘
.
,
,
,
,
‘
,
,
,
.
,
1
8
S H O R T B ALLO T
n oth i ng to b e p ro fe s s ion al i n fo r e v e ry c it i zen i s a s compl et e a n
e xp e rt i n p ol i t i c s a s h e
,
.
Th e S h o r t B a ll o t i n G a lv es to n
A s im i la r c on d i tion ob tai n s i n e ve ry oth e r fo reig n d emoc racy
a n d r es u l t s i n a co r re spon di ngly h igh e r m o ra l s ta nd a r d o f gov
er n m en t wi th ou t th e a i d o r i nte r fe ren ce o f ma ch i n e s
I n th e
Un it e d S tat es o n th e c ont rary th e l ong bal lo t i s un i ve r sal
w it h on e n e w b righ t a n d w i d en i ng r i ft i n th e c l o ud s T h e c i ty
o f G a l ve ston
i n 1 900 a dopted a p l a n o f gove rn men t by a co m
m i s s ion o f fi v e a s an em ergency m e a s u re t o get qu ick m un i ci pa l
a ct ion Un w itt in gl y I th i n k i t stu mb l ed i n to a short ba l lot an d
p roceed ed to reap t h e ad vantage s o f i t Th i s co m mi s si on h a s
w ithou t scan dal c a r ried th ro ug h t remend ou s p ubl ic imp rov e
m ent s —ra i si ng th e g roun d l eve l to p rev ent anoth er flo o d—an d
a t th e s am e ti me h a s r ed uced th e p ubl ic d ebt a n d th e ta x rat e
T h at i s good ad m in i st rat i on M o re th an that i t get s r e-el ecte d
by o ve rwh el mi n g m aj o rit i es a n d h a s n o t b een i n p e ri l a t a ny
”
“
e l ecti on T h e o l d c row d t hat m i sgove rn e d th i s c ity fo r y ea r s
h old s onl y t wen ty p e r cent o f th e vot e n o w an d conc ede s w i th o u t
con te st th e r e-e l ecti on o f th r ee o f th e fi ve good com mi s si one r s
A n d th e tot a l campa ign e xp en se s o f e l ec ting th e ri gh t m en a re
on l y th ree h u n d red an d fi fty do l l a r s
I t h a s be en w idel y sa i d th at t h i s w a s th e f ru i t o f co r rect
o rgan i z at i on an a l o gou s t o a b u si n es s co rpo rati o n w i th i t s boa r d
B u t th e re a r e m any oth e r el ect ed com m i s si on s
o f di recto rs
an d boa rd s i n th e Un ited S tate s —cou nty comm i s sio n s boa rd s o f
e du cat ion t ru st ee s o f th e san it ary d i strict boa rd s o f a s se s so r s
I n fact su ch o rgan i
an d th ey a r e n o t co n sp icuo u sly s u cce s s fu l
z at io n o ft en s e rv e s to sc atte r r e spon s ib i l i ty an d sh elte r co rr up
t i on
G al v e st on s p l an i n fact w as f a r f ro m i deal bu t it h ad on e
ov e rwh e lm ing m e ri t—th at it con cent rate d t h e attent io n o f the
vot er s sh a rpl y up on c an d i d ate s fo r on ly fi ve offi c e s a l l i mpo rtan t
eno ugh t o wa r ran t s u ch attent ion T h e p re s s co ul d gi ve ade
q uat e spa ce t o ev e ry on e ; i n co n sequenc e eve ry i ntel l igent vot e r
i n h i s ea sy cha i r at h om e fo rm ed Op in i on s o n th e wh ol e fi ve
an d h a d a d e fi n it e n ot ion o f the p e rson al i ty o f eve ry c an d i dat e
In such a s i tu at i on th e w a rd pol it i ci an h ad n o fu n cti on The re
w a s n o ign o ran t Ia is s ez -fa ir e n o m e sh o f d eta i l fo r h i m t o t ra d e
u pon H e b ec am e no m ore po w e r fu l t han any oth e r c i t iz en an d
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
,
,
.
,
'
,
.
.
,
.
,
.
.
.
,
,
,
,
.
,
.
’
,
,
,
,
.
.
.
,
.
,
S H O R T BA L L O T
1
9
h i s on l y st rength l ay i n wh at eve r gen u i n e l e ade r s h ip h e po s
ses sed Mo reove r i f h e nom in ated m en wh o co u l d stan d th e
fi e rce l i m el igh t an d get el ected th ey wou l d ips o fa c to p robably
b e m en w ho wou l d re si s t h i s att empt to cont rol them a fte r
wa rd O r i f th ey d i d cate r to h i m i t wou l d be d iffi c u l t to do
h i s bi dd ing right i n th e conc ent rat ed gl a re o f p ub l ic i ty w he re
th e re sp on s i bi l ity co u l d b e an d w h at i s m uch mo re v it al w ou ld
be co r rectl y p lace d by ev ery vot e r A n d so th e p ro fe s sion o f
p ol i t ic s went o ut o f ex i st ence i n G al ve ston an d th e wa rd p o l i
wh o h ad m i sgov e rned t he c ity fo r gen er at ion s w en t
tic ia n
sna rl ing a w ay to p lay w i th coun ty an d state offi c e s
Fi fty c iti e s hav e cop i e d th e G al v e ston p l an D es M oi ne s
i mp roved i t by m ak ing th e bal lot non -pa rt i san b ecau se a v ote r
can recogn i z e an d sel ect th e fi v e name s fo r h i m se l f w itho ut t he
help o f a p arty l abel Th e b unch es o f can di dat es a re th u s
de fi n itely abo l i sh ed an d th e in fl u ence o f th e bun ch make r ove r
th e offi c ial van i sh es
B o ston i s th e fi rs t maj or c ity to reac h a S ho rt B a ll ot ba s i s
T he p l an c reat es a c o u nci l o f n in e membe r s el ect ed at l a rge
th ree at a t i me an d a m ayo r al l on a non -pa rt i san b al l ot Th e re
i s a l so a smal l el ect iv e school comm it tee A fte r t h e fi rst yea r
th e ma x i m u m n u mber o f offi ce s fi l l ed at on e el ect i on i s si x th e
m in i m
u m fou r
.
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
.
,
.
-
,
.
.
,
.
,
,
.
,
.
.
T h e C o l o r ad o S pr i ng s P l a n
An d fi n al ly t ak e o ff you r h at t o Col o ra do Sp ri ngs fo r t hat
h u st li n g l itt l e ci ty h as gon e th em al l on e bette r H e r n e w c o m
m i s si on rotate s s o t h at two me m b e r s a re el ected at o n e el ect ion
an d th e t h ree oth er s at t he ne xt T h i s i s th e shorte st b a l l ot i n
th e coun t ry It i s n on -p a rti s an o f cou r s e Wh at a j o ke i t
w ou l d be f o r p ol it ic ian s to t i e togeth e r two nomi n ee s an d t ry
to i n sp i re loyal ty fo r th i s o n th e gro u n d t hat i t wa s a st ra ight
ti c k et " An d e ach can d i date m u st fi l e an affi dav i t sw ea ri ng th at
h e r ep re sen t s n o p ol it i ca l p a rty o r o rgan i z at ion— j u st h i m sel f
an d h i s p ro sp ect iv e con st it u ent s N ot conten t w i th m aki n g th e
m achi n e un nece ssa ry th ey h ave mad e i t i l l ega l "
T h e ch a rter p e rm it s m un i cipa l o wne rsh ip an d op e rat ion o f
— st reet r ai l w ay s o r l ight ing sy st em s fo r i n stanc e
ub
li
c
u
ti
l
it
i
e
s
p
—
a po w e r w e d on t da re i nt ru st to t h e autho r iti e s i n othe r cit ie s
B u t i n C o l o rado S p r i ngs th e p eopl e h ave a fo rm o f gove rnm en t
so si mp l e th at th ey c an watch it an d under stand i t and C ont ro l
,
,
,
.
,
’
.
.
.
,
.
,
'
,
’
.
'
S H O RT B ALL O T
20
i t N o ra sca l can sn eak i nto po we r th rough th e b laz e o f sc rut iny
t hat th ey c an an d s u rel y w i l l cente r o n h i m a t e lect ion t im e
Li ght i s a s n ec es sa ry a nd a s sa l uta ry i n pol it ic s a s i n hygi en e
Vi cto ry in c iti e s h ow eve r i s n ot en ough ; t h e cou nty an d
t h e stat e rema i n I n Texa s fo r i n stan ce t h e p eopl e have
reco ve re d a l l th e c iti es f rom th e gr a sp o f th e po l iti cian s and p u t
th em o n th e S ho rt B al l ot ba s i s , t h rough gov e rnm ent by c o m
m i ss ion s o f fi v e b ut t h e p ro fe ss ion al pol i t i c i an s th ri v e yet
T h e re i s some tal k o f ch a si n g th em o u t o f th e state by p utting
t h e w hol e stat e go ve rnmen t i nto th e h and s o f a si m i la r sma l l
comm i s s ion I t i s to be h ope d tha t t h i s movem en t w i l l fai l
an d t h at th e sh o rt b al l ot w i ll b e obta in ed by sh o rten i ng the
l i st o f el ect i v e offi ce s si m pl y to t h e l egi sl at u re an d gove rn o r
th e l atte r to app o in t h i s o w n cabin et an d a l l oth e r ad m i n i st ra
t iv e an d j u d i ci a l offi ce rs j u st a s th e p res i den t o f th e Un i te d
S tat e s appo i nt s h i s
O regon h a s g raspe d t h e p ri ncipl e an d th e sam e fo rce s tha t
in stal l e d th e i n iti at i ve an d reca l l a re at wo rk to c ent ral i z e
authority an d l ength en te rm s s o th at i n stea d o f c h o o s ing a
max im u m o f th i rt y -n in e offi c i al s at on e el ect i on th e i n d i vi d ual
el ecto r w i l l ch oo se on ly f rom fi v e t o eight
Oh ye s I h ea rd that ob s e rv ation fro m ov e r t h e re i n th e
“
co rn e r an d I w a s expecting i t Yo u a ske d :
I sn t i t dange r
o u sl
y ne a r to a utoc racy to cent ral i z e th e gove rnment so that th e
v o te r ch oo se s on ly t wo o r th re e m en at a t i me
No ; o n th e
c ont ra ry i t i s i d eal l y democ rat i c Ca r ry i n g o u t th i s p rinci pl e i s
th e on l y p ract i c al w ay tha t th e b ig c l u m sy el ecto rate can ru l e
I t i s th e re fo re th e onl y p lan th at is d emoc rat i c "
T h e mo re el abo rat e an d co mp l ex yo u m ak e p ol it i c s th e f ewe r
th e p eop l e w h o c a n a ff o rd th e t ime an d en e rgy to t ake pa rt
M uch e l ecti ng th ere fo re l ea d s t o wa rd o l iga rchy— the r ul e o f
th e f e w
Th e s imp le r y o u m ake pol it i cs th e more ea sil y an d th e mo re
s u rely w i l l th e w h ol e p eop l e t ak e pa rt S i mpl i fi cat ion th e re fo re
l ead s to wa rd th e ru l e o f th e man y— d emoc racy
Un i ve rsi t i e s a re n o w teach i ng th e n ew d e fi n i tion o f dem o c
racy an d th e ol d e rro r th at mak in g offi ci al s el ect ive i s enough
to make th em re spon s ibl e t o th e p eopl e w i l l d i e Som e day
w e sh al l see th e peopl e o f a w hol e st ate i n cont rol o f the i r
gov ern men t u s ing sh o rt bal l ot s fo r county a n d stat e el ect ion s
as wel l as m u n ic i pal vot in g fo r m en i nst e ad o f l abe l s , a nd re g i 5
.
,
.
,
.
,
,
.
,
,
.
,
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
'
.
’
.
,
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
.
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
,
~
,
S H O RT B ALL O T
21
te rin g compl et e an d d e fi n it e i n d i vi du a l Op i n ion s wit h p racti ca ll y
e ve ry pape r tha t d rop s into th e bal lot -box es Not i c e th at i n thi s
si tu ati on th e c i ti z en s a re al l comp l et e p ol i t ic ian s do i ng al l th at
i s a ske d o f t h em — si n ce l e ss i s a sked Th e el ect orat e ha s not
gon e i nto pol i ti c s bu t p o l it ic s h a s com e to th e el ecto rate O f
fi c ia l s w i l l n o l onge r be i n d ebt p ol i ti ca l ly to so m e p ol i ti ci an
fo r co rd in g th em up i n to h i s p reciou s t icket —
bu n che s T h e
offi ci al s wi l l n egoti at e d i rectl y w i t h t h e p eopl e f o r the i r el ect io n
a n d see k fo r th e app l a u se o f t h e p eop l e—t h ei r only ma sters
in th e con d uct o f th ei r O ffi ce s
I n th e l ong ru n e ffi ci en t and cl ea n adm i n i st rat ion w i l l b e th e
n o rm a l res u ltan t o f that n e w b alan ce o f fo rce s Fo r th e Am e r i
c an peop l e—yo u an d I— d o wan t good gov e rnment A n d w e
sha l l ha ve i t y et "
.
,
,
,
.
.
,
,
,
.
.
.
.
.
.
Ou t l o o k
S h o rt B a l l ot ;
-
9
.
.
J ul y
1
7,
1
909
Mov em ent to S imp l i fy P o litic sr
3
,
Ri cha r d S C h i l d s
.
D o yo u
kn ow th at o u r s i s th e on l y hab itu al l y m i sgo ve rne d
democ r acy ?
Oth e r democraci e s Canad a a n d th e E ngl i sh
G erman c it i e s a re gene ral ly w e l l gov e rn ed m an y
o f t hem spl end i d ly gov e rn ed T he i r cou n ci l s a n d l egi sl atu re s
stay c l ean a utomat i ca ll y w ith ou t n ee d fo r p u bl i c up ri si ng s t o
c l ean th em o ut T ru e they som et i me s s u ffe r from g raft b u t
i t i s l ocal haph aza rd an d uno rgan i z e d l i k e gra f t i n bu si n e s s
l i fe B ut w it h u s m i sgov ern me n t i s u n i ve rsa l an d ever p re sent
E very stat e an d ev e ry c ity i s con stant ly at wa r w it h i t
Th e
b ran d -ne w c ity o f G a ry b egin s to g rapp l e w ith i t a s soo n a s
th e re i s an e l ecti on A nd th e s u cce s s o f th e fo rce s o f righté
eo u s n es s i s a l ways temp o ra ry l ike s w e
ep in g b ack fl oodi n g w at e r
“
wi th a b room W e say t r u ly
A r efo rm a dm i n i st rat i on i s
”
n eve r re el ecte d
Go od a dmi n i st ration i s actu al l y abn orma l i n
A me ri can c it i e s an d st at e s Mal a dm in i strat ion i s th e n o rm a l
T h i s con dit i on u n i qu e a mong d emoc rac i e s i n d icate s th e e x
i s ten c e o f som e pecu l i a r ity in ou r syste m o f gov e rnme nt a s t h e
u n d er ly in g cau s e
Sta rt in g at th e b road ba se o f o ur st ru ctu re th e vote r s w e
noti c e o ne u n i q u e p h en o m eno n w h i ch is so fam i l i a r to u s th at
,
,
,
,
.
,
.
,
,
,
,
,
.
.
.
.
,
.
,
.
.
,
.
,
.
,
,
S H O R T B ALLO T
22
w e u su al ly o ve r l ook i t ent i rely —that i s o u r h abi t o f vot i ng
b l in d ly O f cou rse i ntel l igen t c iti z en s d o not vot e w ith ou t
kn o w ing wha t th ey a re do in g Oh n o " You M r Rea d er fo r
i n st anc e y o u vote -i ntel l i gentl y al way s " O f cou r se you d o " B u t
fo r whom d i d you v ot e fo r su r rogate l a st t i me ? Yo u don t
?
?
know
Wel l th en whom d i d you s u ppo rt fo r stat e a u d ito r
Fo r state t rea su re r ? F o r c l erk o f th e cou rt ? Fo r sup rem e cou rt
j u dge ? A n d wh o i s you r al d e rman ? Wh o rep re s ent s you r d i s
t r iet a t the st ate capi tol ? N am e p l ea s e a ll th e can d i date s yo u
vot ed f o r at th e l a st e l ect i on O f cou r se y o u know th e p re si dent
an d th e gove rn o r an d the mayo r bu t th ere w a s a l ong l i st o f
m ino r offi cer s be si d e s Un l e s s y o u a re act i v e i n pol i tic s I f ea r
yo u fl unk th i s ex am i nat i on I f you r bal lot ha d b v a p ri nte r s er ro r
“
”
om i tt e d t h e state com pt rol l e r enti r el y you w ou l d p rob abl y
n o t h a ve m i s s ed
it Yo u i gno red n in e t enth s o f you r ba l lot
v ot ing fo r tho se you d i d k n ow abo ut an d ca st i ng a st ra igh t pa rty
t i cke t fo r th e re st n ot becau se O f p a rty l oya lty but bec a u se yo u
d i d n ot kno w o f a n yth i ng bett e r to do Yo u n ee d n o t fe el
a sham e d o f i t You r n e ighbo r s al l d i d th e s ame ; my n eighbo r s
d i d ( ob serv e th e l ittl e c en su s rep rod u ced
E x - P re si d en t
“
”
i d ea l c it i z en
con fe s sed i n a p u bl i c
E l iot o f H a rva rd t h e
ad d res s recen tly that h e d i d i t t oo P h i l ad el ph i a ha s even el ect e d
i m agina ry m en I t i s a typ i ca l an d u n iver sal Am e ri can atti tu d e
We al l vote bl i nd ly Th e i ntel l igen c e o f th e commu n ity i s not
at w o rk o n any o f th e m i n o r offi ce s on th e bal l ot Th e a verage
Am e r ic an ci ti z en n ever ca st s a compl et ely i ntel l i gent vot e
,
.
,
.
,
,
.
,
,
’
,
,
,
,
.
,
.
'
.
,
-
,
.
,
,
.
.
,
,
,
.
.
.
.
.
.
C ON FI D E N T I A L C E N S U S
D o yo u
D o yo u
Do you
k
k
kn
no w
no
th e n a m e o f t h e n ew
w th e
ow
n a m e o f th e
s t a te
p r es e n t
th e n a m e o f th e n e w
j us t
t r ea s u r e r
s t a te
e l ec te
d?
d
7 5 % s aid
87%
.
tr ea s u r e r ?
as s e m
s t a te
1
.
b l y man
fo r
k
D o yo u
D o yo u
D o yo u
kn
k
k
of
th e
o
w th e
n am e
o
f th e
no
w th e
n am e
o
f
no
w wh e th e r
d e fea te d
s u r ro
c an
g a te
o
d i d a te
f th is
fo r
a s s em
c o unt
v o te d a g a in s t th e in c r eas q
A r e y o u i n a c t iv e po l it ic s ?
al
d er m an
was
i n th e p o l ic e fo r c e
o
f
y?
th o s e
l as t y ear ?
No
d
s aid
s a id
No
No
No
d
s a id
No
No
s ai
80 %
sai
65 %
85
o ne
d
70%
bl y
y o u r a ld e r m a n ?
yo u r
No
No
t h is
d is t r ic t ?
D o y o u n o w th e n a m e
m a n i n t h is d is t r ic t ?
sai
%
wh o
9 8 % s ai
96 %
IO ca st a rea l ly intel
T h i s i s n o t a l l th e fau l t o f th e vote r
l ig en t bal l ot from a me re st u dy o f n ew spap e rs ca mpai gn l ite ra
'
‘
.
,
"T h e
d i s tr i c t
in
i n t e l l ig e n c e
B ro o k l y n
.
v o te i n th e m o s t in d e pe n d e n t a s s em bl y
c o l l e c t e d i m m e d ia t e l y a f t e r e l e c t i o n
1 90 8
o
D a ta
f
the
,
.
S H O R T B ALL O T
23
t u re and sp eech e s i s i m po s sib l e bec a u se p racti cal ly noth i ng i s
e ve r p ubl i she d a bou t th e m i no r can d i d at e s
Th e gos s ip a ro un d th e l oc al h eadqua rt er s b ei ng to o one -si ded
to be t ru ste d by a ca su al inqu i re r a d eep wo rk in g p e rsona l
acqu ain tanc e w i t h po l iti cs i n vo l v i ng years o f exp eri en ce an d
stu dy becom es n ece s sa ry be fo re a vote r wh o w ant s to ca st a
whol ly i nte l l i gent ba l lot c an O b ta i n th e fac t s
Th i s i s n o t th e fau lt o f t h e p re ss In Ne w Yo rk C i ty th e
n umbe r O f el ecti v e o ffi ce s i n st ate city an d c o un ty to be fi l le d
by pop u la r vot e i n a cycle O f fou r yea r s i s n ea rly fi ve h und re d
In C hi cago th e n u mbe r i s sti l l g reate r P h i la d el ph ia a lth ough
sm al l e r t ha n e ith er ci ty el ect s mo re p eop l e tha n ei th e r N o
n ew spape r c an g i ve p ubl i ci ty t o so m any c an d i date s o r ex am i n e
p rop e r ly i n to th e i r re lative m e rit s
P l ai nly th e vote r i s ov erb u rden e d w i th mo re qu est ion s th an
h e w i l l an sw e r car e f u l ly f o r i t i s ce rtai n that th e avera g e citi z e n
can not a ffor d t he t i m e to f ul fi l l t h e u n re a son abl e r equ i r eme nt s
that are n o w e ssent i a l to i ntel l igen t voti n g Th e v ote rs at th e
p Ol l s a re th e foun dati on o f a d emoc racy a nd t h e u n i v e rsa l an d
in cu rabl e h ab i t O f voti ng b l in dl y con st it ute s a h nge b reak i n
that foun dat io n w h i ch i s se r iou s en ough t o acc ou nt fo r th e
topp l i ng o f th e w h o l e st ru ctu r e
Let u s see th en i f w e can t race Out a con n ect ion b etw een
b l i n d voti ng a s a ca u se and mi sg o ve rn ment a s th e e ffect
NO one w i l l deny that i f n in e -t enth s o f th e cit i zen s re fra in ed
from vot ing on el ect i on day th e rem ai n i n g tenth wo u l d gov ern
al l A n d wh en p racti cal l y al l vot e i n n in e -t en th s igno ran ce an d
i n d iff e rence abou t th e s am e de l egati on o f p o wer occ u rs A
rema in i ng fraction w h o d o g ive en o ugh t i m e to t h e s ubj ect t o
c a st an intel l igen t ba l lot tak e con t ro l T h at f ract i on w e ca l l
”
“
pol i ti c i an s i n o ur un i qu e A m e r i can sen se o f th e wo rd A
”
“
pol iti c i an i s a p ol iti ca l sp eci al i st
H e i s o n e w h o kno ws m o re
about th e vot er s p o l i ti cal bu si ne s s t h an t h e vot e r doe s H e
kno w s fo r i n stan ce th at th e co rone r s term w i l l exp i re i n No
a n d h e cont ri bu tes tow a rd t h e d i scu s si on i nvo lv ed in
v em b er
n om i nat i ng a s ucce s so r w h e rea s t he v ote r ha rdly kno w s a
c oron e r i s being el ect ed The s e po li t ic ian s com e f rom al l cl a s se s
an d th e h igh e r i nt el l i genc e o f th e com mun ity cont ribu tes i t s fu l l
quota A l tho u gh th ey a re on ly a f ract io n o f th e el ectorate they
a re a fai r ave rage sel ect ion an d th ey wo u l d gi v e u s exa ctly th e
k i nd o f governmen t w e al l want i f On ly t hey co u l d rema i n f re e
,
.
,
,
,
.
.
,
,
-
.
.
,
.
,
.
,
,
.
,
i
.
,
,
’
.
,
.
.
,
.
.
.
’
.
’
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
.
,
,
S H O RT B ALLO T
24
an d i nd ep en den t p e r sona l un it s B u t t h e i mp u l se t o organi z e i s
“
i rr es i st i bl e Con ven i enc e an d effi c i en cy requ i re i t an d th e o r
”
gan i z at io n sp ri ngs up an d cement s th em togeth e r G ood m en
w h o se e th e o rgan i zati on go w ron g o n a nom inati on conti n u e t o
stay i n an d to l en d th ei r st rengt h not bo lt i ng u nt i l m o ral con
We re t h e s e m en n o t bou n d by an
d itio n s b ecome intol erabl e
o rgan i z ati on w ith it s soc ia l an d oth e r non -p ol i tic al t ie s th ei r
revo l t w ou l d b e e arl y ea sy and e ff ect i ve an d e ve ry bad n om i
n ati on w ou l d recei ve it s s epa rate an d p ropo rt i on at e p un i sh m en t
i n th e al i en ati on o f suppo rt e r s
Th e cont ro l o f s uch act iv e pol iti ca l o rgan iz at i o n s w i l l grav i
t ate a l ways tow a rd a l o w l eve l T h e d oor s m u st be op en to e ve ry
vote r— e xa min at i on o f h i s c i vi c sp i ri t i s i mp o s si bl e—and g reed
a n d alt ru i sm en te r togeth e r G ree d h a s m o st to ga in i n a fac
an d i s l ea st scrup u l ou s i n ch o ic e o f meth od s
t io n al di sp u te
Th e ba d p ol it ic ian ca rr i e s mo re weapon s th an th e pol i t ic i an
w ho h amp e rs h i m sel f w ith a c o d e o f eth i c s o ne d eg ree h igh e r
Co n sequ ently cor rupt i o n fi n al ly domi nate s any m ach i n e t h at i s
wo rth domi nat ing an d s i nk s i t l owe r an d l ow er a s w o rse me n
d i sp l ac e b ette r u nt i l th e l i m it o f p ubl i c to l e rat ion i s reach ed an d
th e m ach i n e r ece i ve s a setback at el ect i on T h at c au se s i t s
m embe r s t o cl e an u p d i sc red i t th e m en w h o w ent too fa r an d
re st o re a standa r d h igh enough to w in — wh i ch stan da rd imm e
diatel y begin s t o s ag again by th e ope rat ion o f th e sam e n atu ra l
p ri nci p l e
Re fo rm ers i n a n ea r -s ighte d way are con stant ly end eavo rin g
to m a in ta i n pu re po l it ica l o rgan izat i on s an d r e-el ect re fo rm
adm i n i st rat ion s S uppos e h o weve r t hat th e C i t iz en s Un i on o f
N ew Yo rk w h i ch i s at p re sen t s i nce rel y bent on i mp ro ving th e
cond it ion o f pol it i c s sh ou l d s u ccee d i n c a rryi n g th e ci ty fo r i t s
ti cket s seve ral t i me s i n su cce s si on A fte r th e fi rst el ect ion smal l
p ol i tica l o rgan i z at i on s w h i ch h a d a i d ed t ow a rd th e v icto ry wou l d
ru sh i n c l amo rin g fo r th ei r sh a re o f th e p l un d e r Fo r a t e rm
th e re fo rme r s m igh t b e abl e to re s i st th e p re ssu re
o r t wo
Neve rth el e s s th e p o s ses sion \o f p owe r by th e i r pa rty wo u l d att ract
‘
th e gra fte r s ; th ey w ou l d fi nd t hem sel ve s accept ing a s si stan ce
f rom m en wh o w e re i n po l it ic s fo r wh at th e re w a s i n i t m en w h o
wanted t o make mo re u se O f t h e powe r an d p at ronage th at l ay at
han d u n u t il i z ed ; an d t ho se men w ou l d i n t i me w o rki ng w i th i n
.
.
,
.
,
.
,
,
,
,
.
.
.
.
,
.
‘
,
,
.
.
,
,
,
.
'
.
,
,
,
,
.
,
.
,
.
,
.
,
M r C utt in g, th e fo r m e r h ea d o f th e U nio an n o u nc ed i n a n t ic ip at io n
iid n o t d es i re a b ig e n r o ll
o f th e 1 909 m u n i c ip a l e l ec t i o n t h a t t h e U n io n n
m en t o n ac c o u n t o f th e m e v rta b l e c o n ta m i n a t i o n i t i n v o l v e d
.
.
,
.
.
.
S HO RT B A LL OT
26
si ngl e Offi c e b u t th e n u mbe r i s n eve r l a rge a n d i n c l u d e s on ly
o ffi ce s th at a re o f such i mpo rtan ce a s to att ract cl o se sc rut iny by
t he p ub l i c T o any E ng l i sh man or C a nad i an o u r l on g bal l ot i s
a st on i sh i ng an d ou r bl i n d vot i ng appal l i ng T h e pol itici an s a s
a p ro fe s si on al cl a s s sepa rate from p op u l ar l eade r s o r Offi c e
“
h ol d e rs a re u n kn own i n ot h e r l an d s an d th e very wo rd pol i
”
t ic i an h a s a sp eci al mean i ng o f rep roach i n th i s co u nt ry w h ic h
fo reign e r s d o not attach to i t A n d go v e rn ment o f a d emoc racy
f rom be h in d th e scen e s by p ol i t ic ian s i n en dl es s oppo s it i on t o
g o v ernment by p ub l i c opi ni on i s th e fi na l u n i qu e A me rican
ph en om enon in th e l ong b al l ot s t rai n o f con sequ ence s
T h e bl in d vote o f cou rs e doe s not t ake i n th e w h ol e ba l l ot
Ce rta in con sp i cuo u s o ffi ce s engage th e attent ion o f a l l o f u s
\V e g o to hea r th e speech e s o f t h e ca nd i date s fo r con sp i cu o u s
offi ce s ; th o se speech e s ar e p rinted i n th e da il v pap e rs an d r e
v i ewe d i n th e w eekl i e s ; th e can d i d a te s a re th e th eme o f ed itor ia l s
an d w e n ee d t ake n o pa rt i n po l it ic s t o be a bl e to vot e w i th
k no w ledge on ce rt ai n i mp o rtant i s su e s
W e wo u l d l augh at a n
attempt t o cont rol o u r vote o n a ny o f the s e q u e sti on s wh e re we
h av e op i n i on s o f o u r o wn
W ith th i s i n d ep en d en t i n t el l i gen c e
al w ay s at w o rk up on th e maj o r nom i nat i on s w e sec u re a h igh e r
norma l l e vel o f c on d it i on s A l d ermen w e el ect wh o d o n ot
re pre sen t u s an d st at e l eg i sl atu re s w hi ch obey th e i nfl u en ce s
bu t w e a re apt to speak eff ect i vel y w h en i t
o f u n s een p ower s
c ome s t o th e choi c e o f a con sp i c uo u s o ffi ce r l ik e a p re s i d ent a
gov e rno r o r a mayo r Fo r mayo r gov e rno r o r p re si den t we
a re su re to secu re a p re sentabl e fi g ure al way s h on est an d i re
qu ent ly an abl e an d i n d ep end ent champ i on o f th e p eopl e agai n st
th e ve ry p ol it i cal i nte rest s t hat nom inated h i m We a re apt t o
r e-el ect su ch m en
an d th e way we s weep a si d e h osti l e pol i ti ci an s
wh e re th e i ssu e i s c l ea r sh ow s h o w po w er f u l ly the t i de o f o u r
A m e ri ca n sp i ri t s et s tow a rd good gove rnm ent w h en th e i n tel l i
genc e O f th e comm un ity fi nd s a ch ann el — w itn e s s Roo s e vel t
Ta ft H ugh e s D eneen Folk a n d a ho st o f m ayo r s
S omet i m e s t h e re i s rank m is g o ve r m n en t i n a con spi c uo u s
o ffi ce a s w h en Va n W yc k rul ed Ne w York City
B ut a s i s
rath e r u sual at s uch t i m es a re fo rm wa ve fol l o wed and h i s pa rty
wa s pu n i sh ed by a d e feat at t he pol l s S i nc e t h en Tammany
ha s t empo ra ri l y conced e d th e c on sp ic uou s Offi c e s t o t h e peop l e
n om i nat ing th e reto m en o f in dependent cha ract e r an d even
acc epti ng t wo wh o ha d a l ready been n omi nat ed by th e re fo rme rs
,
,
.
.
,
,
.
,
,
’
.
.
.
.
.
,
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
,
.
.
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
S H O R T B ALL O T
27
It h a s been content w i th g ra ft from b o rough p res i dent s
th e
l o w e r gra d es o f th e d ep a rt
,
al d e rm en an d it s f ri en d s i n th e
m ent s
M i sgo ve rn m en t i s secu re on ly i n th e m i no r offi c e s i n th e
sha dowy p l ace s w he re th e spot -l i gh t o f p ub l icity ra rel y wan d e rs
Wh en th e rat s vent u re o ut O f the se o bsc u riti e s i n to th e b laz ing
l igh t i t i s to n i bbl e th e c ake c aut i ou s ly an d a l way s w ith t i m i d
eyes upo n t h at d read gi ant th e p u bl i c ready t o s camp e r i f h e
sti rs I f gro wi ng con fi d ent from l on g i m m u n i ty th ey b ecom e
p un i sh ment cl u m sy bu t h e avy su dd en ly
to o bo l d a nd n oi sy
sw oop s upon th em
A n d so in t h os e c o n sp icuo u s o ffi c es— tho se o n w hi ch w e do
n o t vote b l in d ly— w e secu r e fa i rly goo d go v ern ment a s a norm al
con d i t ion con s i d ering that th e o rgan i z ed a nd ski l l fu l oppo sit ion
wh ich al w ay s fa ce s u s occup i es a p o s iti on o f g reat st rategic
advantage i n po s ses s i on o f th e no mi n atin g mac h i n e ry
T o red u ce th i s i de a to a w o rki n g r u l e :
In a n ob scu re conte st o n t h e b l in d en d o f th e b al lot m e ri t ha s
l i ttl e pol it i cal v al u e ; b ut i n th e con sp i cu ou s co nte st s w h e re w e
act u al ly comp a re man an d man s up e ri o r m e ri t i n a nom in ee i s
a d e fi n it e p o l i ti ca l asset H en ce i n th e ca s e o f an obsc u re n om i
nati on th e ten d ency is a ut o mat i cal ly do w n w ar d ; b u t i n a con
s p ic u o u s n o m in at ion
( wh e re a l l th e vot ing i s i ntel l igent ) th e
tend en cy i s up w a rd
We cann ot hop e to rai s e t h e p o l it i ca l i ntel l i gence o f ou r
cit iz en sh ip to a l ev el wh ere i t w i l l sc rut in iz e th e l ong ba l lot an d
ceas e t o v ote b l in dly o n mo st o f i t T h e m ounta i n w i l l n o t
com e to Mah om et ; M ahomet th en m u st go to the mou nta in W e
mu s t s h o r ten th e b a ll o t to a p oi n t wh er e th e av e rage m an w i l l
vot e i nte l li gent ly w i tho u t gi vi ng to p ol iti c s mo r e attent io n th an
h e d oe s at p re sen t T h at m ean s mak ing i t v e ry sho rt fo r i f
it e xcee d s by ev en a l itt l e th e ret ent ive cap aci ty o f th e av erage
“
”
vote r s m emo ry th e p ol iti c al sp ec i al i st i s c reated A v ot e r
co u l d r em em be r th e rel ati ve m erit s of p robab ly abou t fi v e set s o f
can d i dat e s an d c o u l d kee p that m any sep a rat e conte st s cl ea r i n
h i s m in d but h e wo ul d p rob abl y b egi n t o vot e b l i nd ly on mo re
th an fi v e A l so w e m u st take a l l u n imp o rtant offi ce s o ff th e
bal l ot s in ce th e el ecto rat e w i l l n o t both e r w i th su ch t r ifle s
w h eth e r th e bal lot b e sh ort o r n ot W hy i n d eed sho ul d fi fty
t hou san d v ote r s a l l b e a ske d to p a u s e fo r even a f ew mi n ute s
ap i ece to s t u dy t h e r el at i ve qua l i fi c ati on s O i S m it h an d Jon e s
,
.
,
.
,
,
‘
,
.
,
.
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
,
.
,
,
.
.
'
.
.
.
,
’
.
,
,
,
.
,
.
,
,
_
28
S H O RT B A LLO T
th e p etty p o st o f cou n ty su rv eyo r ? A n i nt el l igent c it i ze n
m ay p rop e rl y h av e bigge r b u s in e s s "
T o b e p i cto ri a l l et u s s ee ho w a revi sed sch ed u l e o f el ecti on s
m igh t look i f w e p ut i n t o th e re al m o f appo i nt ive o ffi ce s a s many
a s p os si bl e o f t ho se w h ich w e n o w i gn or e A l l co unty offi ce s
m any c ity po s it i on s an d th e t a i l o f th e state t i ck et w o u l d t h u s
b e d i spos e d o f an d th e bal l ot s m igh t look somew h at l i ke th i s
( Ne w Yo rk stat e ti tl e s )
S ec o n d Yea r
T h i r d Yea r
F o u r th Y ea r
F i r s t Ye a r
G o v er n o r
C o n g r es s m a n
S t at e S e n a t o r
P r es i d en t a n d
V i c e-P r es i d en t
( fo u r y ear s )
( t wo y ea r s )
( fo u r y ea r s )
( f o u r y ea r s )
C o n g r es s m a n
S t at e A s s em bl y m an
M ay o r
S tate A s s em bl y m a n
( t wo y ea r s )
( f o u r y ea r s )
( t wo y ea r s )
( two y ea r s )
C it y C o u n c i l m a n
C i t y C o u n c i l m an
( t wo y ea rs )
( t wo y e a r s )
fo r
,
.
,
,
,
.
.
.
.
.
T h i s i s m e rel y o rgan i z ing th e stat e and c ity a s si mp ly a s th e
f ed e ra l govern ment Th e re i s en dl e s s room fo r d i s c u s si on o n
th e d et ai l s an d many oth e r a r rangement s cou l d be dev i sed
Th i s sche dul e p ro vi d e s fo r eve ry o ffi ce wh i ch m u st be kept w ith i n
th e real m o f po l it ics I t p rov id e s sh o rt bal l ot s w h i ch ev e ry man
wo u l d vote i nt el l i gently w ithout cal l ing o n a pol i t i cal spec i al i st
t o co m e an d gu id e h is p enc i l
O n suc h a S hort Bal l ot ba si s th e ent ry o f ou r be st m en i nto
p ubl ic l i fe b ecom e s p os sib l e T O -d ay th e reti re d bu si n e s s man
f o r i n stan ce w ho i s w i l l in g t o d evote h i s t rain ed m i n d an d
p roven e xecu t iv e abi l ity t o th e se rv i ce o f h is ci ty fi n d s i t d iffi cu l t
to ente r p ubl i c l i fe even as a h u mbl e al d e rm an H e c an not w i n
a s an i n depend ent fo r th e v ote r s do n o t d i st in g ui sh h i s voi ce
i n th e p ol i ti ca l h u bbub H e m u s t get h i s nam e o n th e t i cket O f
t h e dom i n ant pa rty wh ich c an el ect h i m rega rd l e s s o f wh ethe r
h e mak e s a fi e rce campa ign o r rem ai n s s i l en t o n eve ry i s su e
I n s eeki n g th i s n om in at i on d i rec t p r i ma ri e s w i l l h el p h i m a
l ittl e bu t i n th e con fu s i on atten d in g the m ak ing O f nom inat ion s
fo r a m u l t i t u d e o f o ffi ce s h e i s aga i n u nabl e t o att ract m u ch
”
“
attent i on an d th e mach i n e
sw in ging it s sol i d bl ock s o f w el l
d ri l l ed vote rs t o th e supp o rt O f som e l oya l o l d-t i m e p i l l a r o f
”
“
th e o rg an i z at i on
i s l ikely t o d e feat h i m d e spi t e h i s man i fe s t
s upe ri o rity o f cha racte r H i s on ly h op e fu l re so rt i s to go d o wn
i nto th e u n fam il ia r an d u ncon gen ia l sh ad ed un de rw o rl d o f wa rd
pol i tic s kowt ow to d i st rict l ea de rs a n d capt a in s w h o se soc ia l
an d bu si ne ss stan d i ng i s pe rhap s i n fe rio r to h i s own a n d sat i s fy
“
an d
t h ei r q ue rie s Wh at hav e y o u d on e fo r th e pa rty
Wh a t
.
.
,
.
.
,
.
,
.
,
.
,
.
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
“
,
S H O RT B ALL O T
29
?”
wi l l yo u d o fo r u s
S uc h p roc ed u re bei ng a t l ea st d i s ta ste fu l
an d p robab l y stu lti fyi n g h i s act i vi ti e s t u rn tow a rd ph i la nth ropi e s
an d rec reati on s Th e c ity ha s th u s re f u sed h i s p r off e red se rv ice s
h a s t u rn e d away th e m an who con si dered th e offi ce a s a n op en
ing fo r c iv i c u s e fu l n es s i n favo r o f o n e w ho p robably wante d i t
a s a goo d j o b
B ut i f h e b e con sp i cu o u s a s an i mportan t an d al mo st so l i ta ry
fi gu re be f o r e hi s p ro sp ect i v e c on st itu ent s su ch a can d idate can
ea si ly get a s ati s facto ry h ea rin g an d h i s s up e ri o r m e ri t w i l l b e
an al l —
impo rt an t a s set to h i m In s u ch a si mpl e s i tu ati on th e
“
”
ward p ol i t ici an h a s n o fu nct ion E ve ry o rd ina ry v ot e r i s a
“
comp l et e pol it ic i an too Th e p arty b o ssl et w h o p rate s o f r egu
”
la rity w i l l fi n d th e vote r reply ing w i th fact s rega rd i ng th e
p e r sonal i ty an d p r incip l e s o f th e can d i dat e an d th e d i scu s s i on
sh i ft s to a n ew lev el I f th e p ol i t ic i an can w i n ov e r th e vot e r
on th a t l ev el w el l an d good T h at i s l ea de r sh ip n ot bo ssi sm
an d i s u nobj ect ionabl e
A fte r s u ch an el ect i on th i s con sp ic u o u sn es s w i l l con ti n u e
encou ragin g good b e ha v i or i n o ffi ce Th e l egi sl ator w i l l f ea r
publ ic i nd ign ation bec au s e h i s c on stit u ent s damn in g a m easu re
wi l l al so damn h i m s p eci fi c all y fo r h is p a rt i n i t Li kew i se i f
deserving h e c an get p op u l a r s upp o rt o ve r th e h ead s o f any
pol it ica l coteri e w h o m h e v ent u re s to d i sob ey
G oo d gove rn ment i s en t i rel y a m att e r o f getti ng th e right
men el ected Noth i ng e l s e i s so v ital No ci ty cha rt e r o r stat e
con st itut i on h ow eve r ingen i ou s w i l l m ake ba d m en g iv e good
gove rnm e nt o r keep g o o d m en f rom gettin g goo d re su lt s :
To get th e ri gh t m en is fi r st o f a l l a m atte r o f a r ran g ing for
th e m ax i mu m amo unt o f con cent rated p ubl i c sc rut in y at th e
e lect ion I t i s not sup eri o r i nt e l l i gen ce i n th e B r iti sh el ectorate
that enabl es i t un i fo rml y to el ect th e bes t m en i n tow n to th e c i ty
coun ci l s sav e i n th at t h e i n di v i d ua l vote r i n th e w a rd sel ect s
on l y a si ngl e offi ce r at el ecti on an d ca n h a rdly fa i l to k no w
j u st w hat h e i s do in g Li ke w i se there cann o t b e a my ste ri ou s
v i rtu e i n th e n e w p l an o f gove rn i ng Am e ri can ci ti e s by sma l l
comm i ss ion s ( th e su cc e ss o f wh i c h i n G al ve ston H ou ston a nd
D es M oin es i s u nden i ab l e ) sav e i n th at th e i mpo rtan ce an d con
att ract so fi e rc e a
s pic uo u s n es s o f th e fi v e com m i s si on e r sh ip s
l i mel ight at el ection th at n o u n worthy fi gu re w h o ventu res i nto
that bl az i ng c i rcl e can h op e to con cea l h i s u n wo rth i ne s s f rom
th e eye s o f ev en th e m ost c arel e s s v ote r
,
.
,
.
'
,
,
.
.
.
,
.
.
,
,
,
.
,
.
,
,
.
,
’
,
.
.
.
,
,
.
,
,
.
,
.
,
S H O RT B ALLO T
3o
Th e G a l ve ston plan wou l d b e bette r y et i f th e commi ssi on e rs
w e re el ect ed on e at a t im e fo r l ong t e rm s i n rotat ion T h en
p ubl i c sc r ut i ny at el ecti on w ou l d focu s sti l l mo re sea rch ingly on
th e can d i date s an d m e ri t wou l d i nc rea s e sti l l fu rth e r i n v al u e
a s a po l it ica l a s set
W e m u st m an age som eh o w to get o u r egg s into a fe w ba sk et s
—th e ba sket s that w e w atch " Fo r remem be r that w e a re n ot
gove rn e d by p ubl i c op i n i on but by pu b l ic o pin io n as ex pr es s ed
.
,
.
,
th r o ug h th e pen c il po i n t
b oo th A n d that may b e a
t o ter i n h is
el ec tio n
f
va stly d i ff e rent th i ng " P ubl ic op i n i on
can onl y wo rk i n b roa d ma s se s cl u m si ly To m ak e a m ul ti t ude
o f de l i cat e d ec i si on s i s beyond i ts coa r se p o we rs I t can t p lay
th e t un e i t has in m in d upon ou r c lo se -st ri nged po l i t ica l h a rp bu t
gi ve i t a b roa d k eyboa rd si mp l e en ough fo r i t s h uge s low han d s
an d i t w i l l th u mp o ut th e ri gh t n otes w ith p reci s ion "
Th e re i s noth in g th e matte r w ith A m eri can s W e a re by f a r
th e mo st i ntel li gent el ectorate i n th e wo rld W e a re n ot i n di i
fer en t
W e do wan t good gov e rnm ent A n d w e can w in back
“
”
o u r fi n a l free dom o n a
S ho rt B al l ot ba si s "
o
th e
a v erag e
'
.
.
,
’
.
,
,
.
'
.
.
.
E very b o d y
W h at a
D emoc racy
’
-
3
s.
.
M arch
Wou l d B e Li k e
,
1
91
2
R icha rd S Ch i ld s
.
.
Wou l d yo u kn o w a d emoc racy i f y o u m et on e ?
Yes ?
Ho w ? You v e p robab ly neve r seen o n e
T h ought yo u l i ved i n o ne ? Oh d ea r n o " Th e stat e s an d
counti e s an d ci ti e s o f th i s count ry a re n o t d emoc ra ci e s ; th ey
a re ol iga rch i e s—i n stanc e s o f gov e rnm ent by a ru l i ng cla s s "
”
We ca l l th i s ru l ing c l a s s th e pol i t ici an s
A l l c it iz en s by
d u e d evot i on c a n becom e pol it ici an s but th e b u l k o f t h em d o n t ;
so a ce rt ai n remain d e r i s l e ft i n cont rol and w h ate ve r i t m igh t
be o r ough t to be th e gove rn m en t is —an o l i ga rchy Th e fact
th at i t wa s i ntend ed to wo rk d i ff e rentl y i s a me re d eta i l o f
h i st o ry If i n it s act ua l w o rk ing i t i s n o t a d emoc racy it i s not
a d emoc racy
No w w e cou l d mak e i t a d emoc ra cy an d p reven t a sel f
e stabl i sh ed c rew O f pol it ica l expe rt s from ru l i ng u s i f a ll good
"
ci t i z en s wou l d go into pol it i c s
B ut i f t h ey d on t w hat w i l l
?
o
d
o
u
y
'
.
,
,
“
.
'
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
.
“
'
.
,
S H O R T B ALL O T
3r
to th em ? A rou se th em ?
A l l ri ght B ut w h at i f e ven th en th ei r n o rm al a ct i v ity a nd
inte rest p rove i n su ffi c i en t to m ake t hem th e equal s o f th e p ol i
Wh at i f th e pol iti ci an s can
ti c 1 a n s i n p ol itical eff ect iv en e s s ?
dance c i rcl e s a rou n d t h e b ig c l u m sy p eop l e e ven wh en th e p eopl e
a r e a rou sed ?
P reach harde r ?
No
Con si de r th at th e re i s n oth i ng d i vi n e abo ut th e o rigi n o f th e
pol i t ica l w o rk th a t i s l ai d o ut fo r th e ci t i z en s to do I f th e
citi z en s n egl ect so m e o f that wo rk th e wo rk m ay ea si ly b e
si mp l i fi ed and m ad e l i ghte r T h e r e i s s u rely s u ch a th i ng a s a
l im i t to th e amou n t o f wo rk th at c an p rop e rly b e dem an d ed
an d p e rh ap s th at l i mi t h a s bee n e xceed e d Ce r
o f th e ci ti z en s
ta in ly i t i s goi n g to b e s et by th e p eop l e th em s el v e s ; r ega r d l es s
o f you r op in i on o r m in e o r th e opi n ion o f th e p on de rou s l aw
y e r s i n th e s tat e con st it uti ona l con ven ti on who l ay o u t w o rk
fo r th e p eop l e
I f w e a sk th e p eop l e to g i ve th ei r tho ught fu l atten t ion to th e
sel ect ion o f a co ron e r ev e ry t wo ye ar s th e p eop l e m ay grac i o u sly
con s ent to both e r an d th ey m ay n ot An d i f t h ey l angu i dl y vote
a st raigh t p arty ti cket w ithou t even l ook in g to s ee wh o i s ru n
n i ng fo r co ron e r the reby l ett in g a Rep ubl i can o r D emo crat i c
g ro up o f pol i ti c i an s hav e th ei r o wn w ay t h e p eop l e have s i l en tly
n ot i fi ed yo u an d m e an d al l futu re con sti t ut ion a l conv ent i on s
that fo r so m e rea son sat i s facto ry t o t hem s elve s th ey d ec l i ne to
“
”
a s su m e th e d uty o f s e l ecti ng co rone rs
A n d th at settl e s it
W h at th e p eop l e say go e s
O u r Am e ri can p eop l e h av e done j u st th i s T h ey hav e sai d :
“
W e p re fe r hon est ab l e co ron e rs b ut w e won t fi ght to g et th em
— w e h av e mo re i mp ort ant th ing s t o do ” Th ey h ave sa i d : “ W e
wan t goo d o ffi cial s b u t w h en w e h ave to el ect t w enty o f th em
at on ce w e won t l earn al l abo u t al l o f th em W e l l gi ve att en
t ion to th e most i nte re sti ng an d impo rtan t o ne s b ut fo r th e re st
w e l l vot e any h an dy l i st fi x e d up fo r u s by th e sp ec ia l i st s in
”
c it izen sh ip
An d th e p eop l e a re r igh t Offi c e s can be mad e so m i cro
s cop i cal l y smal l that i t i s to o d i ffi cu l t fo r th e p eopl e to watch
th em i n a bu sy wo rl d B al l ot s can b e m a de so l on g t h at n o
cit i z en sh ip i n Ch ri sten dom cou l d rea sonabl y be expecte d to
ma s te r them
”
“
S o th er e ha s ari se n in A me ric a th e new S h o rt B al lo t sch o o l
P reach
.
,
,
'
,
.
.
,
.
.
,
'
,
,
.
,
.
,
,
,
,
,
.
'
.
.
,
.
’
,
,
.
,
’
’
.
'
,
’
.
.
.
.
.
S H O RT B ALLO T
32
“
o f re form e r s who se sl ogan i s :
Th e l ong ba ll ot i s t h e p ol i
”
Th e
tic ia n s ba l l ot ; th e S h o rt B al l ot i s th e p eopl e s b al lot
S ho rt B al l ot O rgan i zat i on w a s foun d ed t wo yea rs ago in N e w
Yo rk by Wo od ro w W i l son an d i t h a s b een c r eati ng a qu i et
rev ol ut io n i n c i v i c c i rcl es ev e r si nce Act i v e l oca l work i s u nd e r
wa y i n O regon Cal i fo rni a O h io an d N e w Yo rk
T h e maj o r p re mi se o f th i s n e w s ch oo l i s that th e p eopl e a re
al l ri gh t—n o t su b stant i al ly d i ff e rent from th e p eop l e o f oth e r
l an d s— an d th at i t i s ou r u tte rly freaki s h pl an o f gove rn ment
th a t i s at fau l t
For ou r p l an o f go ve rnm en t is freak i sh Sh o w a n E ngl i sh
man fo r i n sta n ce o n e o f o u r Ne w Yo rk bal lot s a n d he w i l l
“
e xc l ai m w i th h o r ro r :
Why yo u re el ect ing t wenty o ffi c ers at
on e t im e " Th at s ab su rd " H o w can you po s si bly vote intel l i
”
?
gentl y fo r so m any
I n E ng lan d th ey ra rely attempt t o fi l l even t wo el ecti ve
o ffice s o n on e day
W h en I sh o w an Oh i o bal lot w it h its fo rty -s i x o ffi c e s an d
t wo h un d re d cand i date s t o N e w Yo rk a ud i enc es i t a l w ay s
b ri ngs a roa r o f l a ugh te r B ecau se i t i s so m uch l on ge r t h an
t h ei r o wn i t se em s ri di cu l o u s an d th ey read i ly a ccept th e d oc
t rin e th at s uch a bal lot b affi es p op u l a r cont ro l an d i s cont ri v ed
fo r eff ect i v e u se onl y by expe rt s n ot by th e p eopl e
B u t th e
Ne w Yo rk bal l ot i s j u st a bou t a s un u sabl e a s th e b i g Oh i o b al l ot
It al so conta i n s too man y o ffi ces and Offi c e s th at a re too smal l
to sec u re n atu ral p ubl ic sc ruti ny
Th e E ngl i sh man i s righ t and h is si mp l e p roc e du re i s fa r
mo re dem oc rati c th an o u r compl i cat ed mach in e ry w h i ch only a
f e w o f th e p eopl e t h e expe rt s i n c it i z en sh ip ca n op e rate T h e
T h e re a re a k ing a n d
E ngl i sh ci t ie s a re comp l et e d emoc rac i e s
l
som e l ord s i n E ngland b u t th e re i s n oth i ng i n E ngl i sh l oc a
gove rn me n t s th at th ey can to uch Th e E ngl i sh c it i e s h ave mo re
e lect i ve offi ce s t han o ur c iti e s a s a ru l e B ut a l l th e el ecti ve
offi ce r s sit t og eth e r a s o n e l a rge co un ci l o r boa rd o f d i rectors an d
exe cut e th ei r d ec ree s th rough th e i r o w n appo i nt ee s
Th ey a re u s u al ly el ect ed th ree f rom each w a rd fo r th ree
yea r t e rm s an d they com e u p fo r re—
el ect ion o n e each y ea r And
th e B rit i sh vote r h av i n g th e s i mpl e ta sk o f ch oo si ng o n e man
ou t o f t w o o r t h re e can d id ate s i n h i s compact wa rd doe s h i s
l ittl e t a sk ea s i ly and w el l w i tho u t t he a ss i stance O f su ch expe rt s
”
“
i n c it i zen sh i p a s ou r w a rd pol i t i ci an s
I n oth e r d em o c raci es
,
’
’
.
,
.
,
.
,
,
~
.
.
,
,
’
'
,
’
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
,
.
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
,
.
,
.
.
,
.
.
,
,
,
,
.
S H O RT B ALL O T
34
my
A cade
o f P o l it i cal S c i e n c e
O c t o b er
1
,
P r o c ee d i n g s
.
-1
.
9
.
91 4
Con sti tuti on an d P u bl i c Op i n i on
.
Fre d eri c C
How e
.
I s i t po s sib l e t o f o rm u l at e p rin c ipl e s i n the f ram in g of a
con st ituti on i n th e p l an n ing o f th e pol i ti ca l m ach in e ry o f a
p eop l e ? I s i t po s sib l e to lay dow n a xi om s o f p ol it ic s l ike t ho se
wh i ch A dam S m i th en u nci ated fo r tax at i on ? An d i f suc h
ax i om s m ay be f o rmu lat ed a re tho s e u pon wh ic h w e h av e b een
operat i ng fo r a cent u ry th e c o r rect on e s ? S hou l d p ub l i c op i n ion
be comp el l ed to squ a re i t s el f w ith th e op in i on s an d ph ra se s o f
gen erati on s l on g si n ce d ea d ; sh ou l d th e op i n i on o f tod ay be
cal le d up on to con vi n ce i n tu rn va ry ing g roup s o f el ect i ve o i
fi c ial s an d appoin t i ve on e s a s wel l ? S hou l d every p re su mp ti on
be agai n st ch ange and in favo r o f th e st at u s q uo ? S houl d th e
common b u sin es s o f al l o f u s b e con du ct ed on t h e p r in ci p l e o f
i nacti on an d th e p ri vate bu sin e s s o f each o f u s b e g rant ed a
l i be rty o f acti on cl o se to l i c en se ? Fo r th e p rin cipl e u nde rl ying
A m e rican i nd u st ri a l li f e i s f reedom — th e great e st po s sibl e f r ee
dom t o o rgan i z e to act to p l ay n ot on ly w i th p rope rty bu t
w i th th e d est in i e s o f th e com mu n i ty a s w el l
I bel i eve th e re a re a x i om s o f p ol i t i c s a s fu n dam enta l a s
th o se o f taxat ion a s fun d amenta l a s tho se o f p ri vat e b u si n e s s
Am on g those ax i om s I shou l d i ncl u d e th e fol l ow ing :
,
,
'
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
.
,
,
I
sh ou l d b e si mp le an d ea s i ly u n d e r stood by al l
I s su e s sh ou l d be free f ro m con fu si on T h e re sh ou l d b e a d i rect
l i n e o f v i si on bet ween th e vote r an d th e en d d e s i red an d a
m ean s fo r th e i mm ed i at e ex ec ut ion o f th e common w il l onc e it
i s d eclare d at th e pol l s
.
P o l i ti cs
.
.
,
,
.
.
T h e rel atio n o f th e vot er to th e gove rn m ent sh ou l d be a s
d i rect a s po s sibl e Th e re sh ou l d b e t h e few est po ss ibl e i nte r
m ed ia ries suc h a s e l ecto ral c ol l ege s del egat e s con vent ion s a n d
ca u cu se s bet w een th e ci t i z en a n d h i s s ervan t
2
.
.
,
,
,
,
.
3
.
G ove rnmen t shoul d b e r e spon s i v e
respon sibl e on th e oth e r — n o t to t h e pa st
not to i nte re st s b u t to p eopl e
,
on
,
no t
th e
on e han d and
t o pol it i cal pa rti es
,
.
,
Th e mach in e ry o f l egi sl at ion an d ad m in i st rat ion shou l d
be equ a ll y s imp l e d i rect an d fi na l i n i t s act i on O nce th e p ubl i c
w i l l ex pr e s s it sel f, i t sh ou l d b e regi ste red i nt o l a w
4
.
,
.
.
S H O RT BALL O T
'
35
P r i ncipl es to B e C o ns ider ed i n F r am ing N ew Yo r k C o ns ti tu tio n
R ed uc i ng th es e p ol iti ca l ax i om s to th e subj ect i n h an d that
i s th e con st i tu ti o n an d p u bl i c op i n i on I sh o u ld s uggest :
Fi r s t —T h e con st i tu tio n s h ou l d be a s sh o rt a s p o ss i bl e fol
l o w i ng th e mo del o i th e fed e ral con st i t ut i on w h i ch i s l itt l e m o r e
th an an en u m
e rat i on o f th e p ow e rs o f th e v ari o u s b ranch e s o f
th e gov e rn men t to wh i ch wa s a d d ed th e b i l l o f ri ght s S t ate
con st it ut io ns d ep art e d from th i s m o de l They h av e been en la rg ed
to i n d e f en s i b l e l en gt h s an d b y rea son o f en l a rgem en t an d th e
i n cl u si on o f m an y l egi s l ati v e p ro v i s i on s th e u n de rlyi n g i d ea o f a
con sti tut i on a s a f ram ewo r k o f gov e rnm en t h a s b e en l o st s i gh t o f
,
,
,
,
'
,
.
,
.
,
,
.
C o n s ti tu ti o n
on
E v o l vin g Ins tr um en t
S econ d— T h e con sti t ut ion sh o u l d be an ev o l v i ng i n st ru m ent
n ot an in flex ib l e fi n i sh e d t h i ng comp l et e i n al l its d et a il s fo r a
gen er at ion o r a s i n th e st at es o f Ken tu cky I n di an a Rh o d e
I s l an d an d Con n ect ic ut p r act ic al ly u nchang eab l e fo r al l t i m e
T h e con st i t uti on s ho u l d refl ect changing soci al con dit io n s an d
chan gi ng n eed s I t shou l d m
i r ro r th e s ea son e d con v i ct i on s o f
th e n ati on r ath e r t han l ag m any year s beh i n d th em I t sh ou l d
h av e mo re p e r m an en ce th an a l egi sl at i ve act an d am en dmen t s
sh ou l d b e app r o ve d by t h e p eop l e B ut i t sho ul d not be mece s
sary fo r two s u cc e s s i v e l egi s lat u re s to app ro v e o f a reso l ut i on
p erm i tti ng an a mend m ent to b e vote d up on an d th e maj o ri ty
w ith i n th e l egi sl atu re fo r s u bm i s s io n o ugh t n o t to b e p r o h ibi t i v e
I t shou l d p rov i d e that a two -th i r d s m aj o r ity o f any gen e ra l
a s sembl y o r a m e re m aj o rity o f t wo s u cc e ss i v e a s semb l i e s m ay
s ubm it an am en d in g reso l ut i o n Fu rth e r th an th i s p rov i s ion
sh o u l d b e m ad e fo r a m en dm en t by th e dir ect ac tio n o f th e
p eop l e th em sel v e s act ing th rough p et it i on s subm it te d fo r th i s
p u rpo s e I f fi v e o r eigh t p e r cen t o f th e el ecto rs o f a stat e l i k e
N ew Yo rk are s uffi ci ent l y ex e rci s e d over a con di ti on to g o t o
th e t rou bl e an d exp en s e o f p rep ar ing p eti t i on s th en t h ei r
p et i t ion sh o u l d b e gi ven a h ea rin g b y b ei ng p lace d up on t h e
bal l ot th e sam e a s a r e so l ut ion regu l a rly s ubmi tted by th e l eg
i s l atu r e ; an d i f a m aj or ity o f tho se v ot i ng up on th e p rop osal
favo r it it s hou l d b ec am e a p art o f th e o rgan i c l a w o f th e state
Th i s is th e v e ry e ss en c e o f th e righ t o f p et i t ion sa nc tio n ed in
ev e ry con st itut ion fo r th e righ t o f p et it i o n i s empty u n l e s s i t
can b e m a d e e ff ecti v e It i s a l so o f th e e s sen ce o f re spo n s i v e
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
.
.
,
,
.
,
.
,
,
.
,
'
,
.
,
?
,
'
.
,
.
,
i
'
,
.
,
;
5
'
36
S H O RT B ALLO T
an d re sp on si bl e gove rn m ent a s w el l a s o f th e i d ea o f an evo l v
in g changi ng con st it ut i on refl ect i n g th e sea son ed opi n i on s o
th e comm u n ity I t i s un fa i r to a p eopl e t o requ i r e i t to
fo r a gen e rati on s t i m e th e d el ibe rat i on s O f a g roup o f
w ho se opin i on s can b e kn own only a fte r th ey h
s en tativ e s
d el ibe rated w i th o u t po w e r to e sc ap e from t h ei r opi n i on s
an y act ion w h i ch th e p eop l e th em sel ve s may tak e T h i s i s n o
rep res en tat i v e go ve r n m ent ; it i s gove rnm en t by ch an c e
,
,
,
.
’
,
,
.
.
S epa ra te S
ub m is s i o n
o
f
D eb a ted
Q u es tio ns
Th i rd— In k eep i n g w i th th e above sugge st i on s a m en dment s t
th e con st i tut i on i n vol vi ng rad ica l dep art u re s l i k e woman s u ff r a
p roh i bi ti on th e i n it i ati ve re fe ren d u m a n d recal l shou l d b e sub
m itted a s s epa rat e p roposal s f o r th e d i sc ri m in ati ng act ion o f
th e vote r A l te rat i on s in th e f u n d amental l a w s such a s th e se
sh ou l d n ot b e i n co rporated i nto th e bod y o f th e con sti tut i on
w h e n s ubm i tted b u t s hou l d at al l t ime s a n d u nde r al l ci rcu m
stan ce s be open to u ni n cu mbe red act ion by th e el ecto rat e T h e
Oh i o c on st i tut i on o f 1 9 1 2 conta in ed many s ep a rat e a n d d etach ed
a mend men ts pl ac ed b e fo re th e p eop l e i n sepa rate col umn s u pon
wh i ch th e el ecto r s p a s sed i n d i vi d ua l j u dgm ent A bou t on e -ha l f
o f th e se p ropo sal s w e re ad opted a nd th e oth e r h al f w e re r e
j ec t ed sh ow ing a mo re h ighl y d e vel op ed po l it i cal i ntel l igenc e
t ha n th e el ecto rate i s gen e ra l ly a s s u m e d t o p o ss e s s
,
,
,
,
,
'
.
’
,
.
,
,
.
,
,
.
C o mm is s io n G o v er n m en t
fo r S ta te
Fou rth — In k eep ing w ith th e i d ea o f si mpl i c i ty an d effi c i ency
th e comm i ssi on fo rm o f gove rnm en t sh ou l d b e su b st it ut ed fo r
that w h i ch n o w p reva i l s T h e l egi sl at u re sh ou l d con si s t o f a
s ingl e ch ambe r o f a rel at i v ely smal l s i z e A l e gi sl at i ve body
comp o sed o f o n e rep re sentat i ve from each c ongre s si on a l d i st rict
wo ul d be ad equ at e f o r a l l p u rpo ses I t sh ou l d b e i n c ont i n u ed
s e s si on al l th e yea r as i s th e Cong re s s o f th e U n it ed St at es
S u rel y i f th e n eed s o f th e sma l l e st t own req u i re th e att en t ion
o f i t s cou n ci l fo r t wel ve month s in th e yea r th e l egi s lat i ve body
p eop l e more tha n t h ree t i m e s
o f a common w eal th O f
th e p opul at i on o f th e Un i ted S tat es w h en th e co n st it ut ion wa s
adopted requ i re s th e s am e conti n u ou s l egi sl at i ve s ervic e
T h e commone st compl ai n t o f ou r a s sembl i e s i s t h at th ey
pa s s to o m any la w s an d to o ha sty l eg i slat i on M u ch o f th i s i s
,
.
.
.
.
,
'
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
'
S H O RT B ALLO T
37
due to th e i s iz e o f th e l egi s l at u re E ach m e m be r feel s that at
l ea st on e mea s u re m u st bea r h i s n am e A s a con sequ ence st at e
law s comm an d l ittl e resp ect a nd fo r th e mo st pa rt a re ent i tl ed
to n o mo re re sp ect t han t hey rece iv e
A sm al l l egi s lat i v e bo dy
in cont i nu o u s se s si on act ing w i th th e i n form al ity o f a ci ty
comm i ss ion wou l d re su l t i n m o re m at u re d el ibe rat ion m o r e
i ntel l igent a cti o n a n d a g reat d ec rea se i n th e nu mbe r o f i l l
adj u ste d l aw s wh i c h i s su e fro m o u r stat e l egi slatu re s ev en
wh en th ey a re i n ses s ion fo r b u t a fe w month s in th e ye a r
I n a ddi tion I sh o u l d su gge st th at th e go ve rno r sh ou l d appo i nt
the m embe r s o f h i s cabi n et in cl u di ng th e atto rn ey -general t h e
sec reta ry o f st at e a n d t he ex ecut i v e h ead s o f oth e r dep a r tm ent s
T h e gove rnor an d each m embe r o f th e c abi n et sh o u l d h av e a
seat i n th e l eg i s l at u re w i th th e righ t t o d i scu s s al l mea su r es
bu t n ot t o v ot e Th i s i s a p ro vi s ion n o w fo u n d i n many c ity
charter s ; i t h a s res u lte d i n g reat er u n ity o f acti on an d i nc rea se d
m u n i cip al e ffi c i ency
Th i s i s p e rh ap s a s nea r an app ro ach a s i s p os s ib l e -to th e
B rit is h i dea o f re spon s ib l e cab i n et gove rn m ent I t shou l d t en d
to b ri ng i nto p ol i t ic s a m o re h igh l y t rain e d t yp e o f man a s
wel l a s greate r u n ity i n th e a dm i n i st rati on o f p ub l ic aff ai r s I n
conn ect ion w ith th i s I wo u l d ent ru st th e gov e rno r w i th th e
app oint ment an d ea sy remov al o f t h e d i recto r s o f a l l ex ecu ti v e
dep a rtm ent s w h os e r elat ion s to th e gove rn o r sho ul d be som e
w hat si m i l a r t o tho s e o f th e d ep a rt m en t h e ad s i n a g reat ci ty
-
.
.
,
,
.
,
'
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
.
.
,
.
,
,
.
S h o r t B al l o t
Fi fth—T h e S ho rt B a l lot T h e comm i s sion fo rm o f govern
ment wou l d l ea d t o the S ho rt B al l ot I t w o u l d re du ce th e
n umb e r o f el ect iv e o ffi ci a l s to th e go v e rn o r an d th e m emb e rs o f
th e stat e a s sembl y T h i s w o u l d s i mp l i fy el ect ion s an d auto
m atica l ly m ak e i t p os si bl e t o sel ect a h i gh e r typ e o f m an tha n
fh o s e wh o no w go t o th e a s s emb l y Fu rth e r th an th i s i t Would
l u r e bette r m en into pol it ics f o r th e Opp o rt un iti e s of rea l serv i ce
o ff e re d w oul d p rov e att racti ve to th e be st equ ipp ed m en i n th e
commun i ty
I n add i t io n I fa vo r l onger t e r m s o f o ffi ce fo r th e go v e rno r
and th e m embe r s o f th e a s semb l y I sh o u l d s uggest a term i o f
f o u r years w ith th e r ight o f rec al l B y th i s mean s th e o ffi ci al
w o u l d al ways b e respon sibl e to h is con st it uent s w h i l e a c o n
.
‘
.
"
.
,
.
,
,
.
,
.
.
,
.
,
38
S H O RT B ALLO T
t in uing
po l icy cov e ri n g a rea sonab l e p e ri o d o f t im e w ou l d b e
op en to ach i ev em ent by an a dm i n i st rat ion
,
,
.
R ig h t
o
f J ud icia l
R eview
S i xth—I hav e n ev e r be l i ev ed t hat th e fede ra l con st it ut i on
contemp l ated th e p ow e r o f j u d i c ia l rev i e w o f congre s si on a l o r
ex ec u t i v e ac ts T h e c on st i tu ti ona l p rov i sion s s ei zed on by t h e
co u rt s to j u st i fy th ei r i nt e rp o sit i on a re ent i rel y i n ad equ at e t o
sanctio n s u ch a s s ump ti on T h e recen tly adopt e d con st i t ut i on o f
Oh i o recogn i z ed th i s p rote st aga in st j ud i ci al u s u rp at i o n an d
p rov i de d that n o act o f th e l egi sl atu r e sh o u l d b e h el d to be
u ncon sti tut iona l by t h e s up rem e cou rt exc ep t wh en s u ch d ec is
io n w a s conc u r red in by s i x o ut o f s e ven m embe r s o f th e h igh e st
a pp e l late t ri bu nal
.
.
,
.
’
C o mpl ete M u nicipal A uto n o my
S ev enth— Comp l et e hom e r u l e s hou l d b e acco rd ed m i m i
T h ey sh ou l d b e p e rm itte d to p r ep a re t he i r o wn
c ip a l ities
ch a rte rs ; to d et e rm i n e fo r th em sel ve s w h at acti vi t i e s t h ey shal l
p er fo rm ; w hat i n du st ri es a n d act i v i t i es th ey sh al l engage i n ;
w hat sa l ari e s th ey sh al l p ay, a n d what p o w e r s th ey s ha l l e x e rc i se
ov er p e r s on s an d p rope rty w i th i n t h ei r m id st s u bj ect on ly to
th e con sti tu tion a l sa fegua rd s M u n icipa l it i e s sh ou ld h av e th e
sam e f reedom to exp e ri m en t t hat a p ri vat e c o rpo rat ion n o w
enj oy s ; th ey sh ou l d b e pe rm i tted to d ec i d e fo r t h ems el ve s a s
t o t h e sou rce s fro m w h ich th ey sh al l col l ect th ei r revenu e s a n d
a s to t h e w ay i n w h i ch t h ey shal l sp en d th e m T h e a moun t o f
th e i r bo n ded in deb tedness s h o ul d b e det e rm i n ed by t h e com
m un ity i t sel f a s w el l a s th e p u rp o se s fo r w h i c h s uch i n debted
n e s s i s in cu r red C i t i e s sh ou l d h av e th e sam e a uton omy no w
enj oye d by th e sta te an d t h e n at i on W i th i n t h ei r own s ph e re
o f a ct i on th ey sh o u l d be sov e re ign
m u ch a s a re th e c it i es o f
G e rm any an d som e o f th e ci t i e s i n o u r w e ste rn state s
S u c h a d ev ol ut ion o f p o w e r o u l d rel i ev e th e l egi s l atu re from
th e bu rd en o f con si d e ri n g l oca l d emand s an d wo u l d ren d e r i t
p o s si bl e f o r th e c ity i t s el f t o d ev el op it s ow n l i fe a n d a dj u st it s
a s i s n ot n o w p o s sibl e w h en th e
ad min i str at io n t o l oca l n e ed s
fi nan ci a l l im i tati on s o f a m u n i c i pal ity a re fi x e d an d d ete rm in ed
by th e con st it uti on an d state la w s an d a re n ec e ssa ri ly u n res po n
s i ve to l oc al n ec e s sit i es
.
,
.
.
~
,
.
.
,
-
w
,
,
.
.
S H O R T B A LL O T
39
D ir ec t L eg is la ti o n
E igh th — A d equ ate re sp on s i veness
to p u bl i c op i n ion i n vo l ve s
p ro v i si on fo r d i re ct l eg i sl ati ve act io n by t h e p eop l e th em se l ve s
th rough th e i n i ti at i v e an d r e fe ren d u m ; an d o f th e se t wo d ev i ce s
th e i n i ti at i v e i s by fa r th e m o re i mp o rta nt T h e r e feren d u m i s
n egat i v e I t u s u a l ly rel ate s to qu e st i on s; i n w h ic h th e p e op l e
h av e n o gr eat int e rest A n d th e fai l u re o f l arge n um b er s o f
peop l e t o v ot e up o n r e fe ren du m mea su re s i s n o i nd ex o f th e
re sp on s e wh i ch w o u l d fo l l o w to m ea s u re s i n it i ate d by th e
peopl e th em s el ves" T h e i n it i at i v e i s th e fi na l ste p i n d em o c
racy ; i t i n vo l ves a gove rn me nt w h i ch m i r ro r s p ubl i c op in ion
T h at i t i s n o t l i ke l y to b e u s ed f o r rad i ca l p u rpo se s i s i n d i c at ed
by th e e xp eri en ce o f w e ste rn st ate s a s w el l a s o f Oh i o w h er e
t he p re s u mp t io n o f t h e u n en l i ghten e d v ote r is again st a n ew
mea s u re rath er than i n f avo r o f i t B u t mo st i mp ortan t o f all
i s th e e du cat i v e i n fl u en c e o f r e fe ren d um el ect ion s o n m ea su re s
i n it i at ed b y th e p eop l e th em s el v e s Th ey l ea d to con stant d i s
c u s s io n
to a d e ep er intere st i n gov e rn m en t an d t o a ps ycho
l ogi cal con v i ct ion th at a go v e rnm en t i s i n e ff ect th e p eop l e
t h em sel ves An d thi s i s th e g re ate st g ain o f a l l I t h a s b e en
sa i d t hat th e j u ry i s th e t ra i n in g sch oo l o f d em o cracy T o a n
eve n greate r e xten t i s th i s t ru e o f th e i ni t i at i v e an d r e fe ren d um
'
,
.
.
.
'
.
.
,
,
.
'
.
,
,
'
.
.
.
.
.
P o l i tical F reed o m — a P r in cipl e
T he u nd e r lyin g mot i v e o f th e f o rego i ng p h i lo sophy i s fl u i d
ity re spon si ven e s s f reed om ; fre edo m o f soci ety , i n i t s col l ee
‘
,
,
t i ve cap aci ty to dev el op it s o wn p o l i t i ca l l i fe ; f ree dom to evo l v e
to gro w by ch ange j u s t a s do es th e in d i v i du a l j u st a s doe s t h e
whol e an i m a l an d ev en th e v egetab l e ki ng dom A n d I h av e
n o more fea r o f m an kin d i n i t s co l l ect i v e cap ac it y t han I h a v e
in it s i n d i vi d ua l c apa ci ty An d i f the r e i s any
o f manki n d
qu al ity w h i ch sta mp s A m eri can l i fe Ame r i ca n ch a ract e r A m eri
c an i n d u st ry it i s f reedom Fr eedo m e xp l ai n s ou r ach i ev e
ment s i t ex p la in s o u r i n d u st ri a l d e v elop m ent It exp l a in s th e
ingen u i ty resou rce f u l ne s s an d cou rage o f t h e nat i on A n d
fre edom i s I b e l i eve t h e l a w o f al l nat u r e— a l a w a s i m m utab l e
i n i t s u l t i mate b l e ss i ngs a s an y th at n at u re san ction s — not th e
p atch wo rk f ree dom w ith w h i ch w e ar e fam i l i a r th e free dom
th at gi ve s p ri v i l ege s to som e an d b u rden s t o oth e rs ; n ot t h e
f reedo m w h i ch fa i l s to d i st in gu i sh b et w een th at w h i ch i s e s s en
,
,
,
,
.
’
.
,
,
.
,
.
,
.
,
,
,
,
,
,
S H O RT B ALLO T
40
tia ll y
p ubl i c a n d that w h i ch i s e s sent i al ly p ri vate ; n ot th e fre e
d o m w h i ch g rant s l i cen s e to th e i n d iv i d ua l an d c h ain s to th e
c om mun ity ; bu t t h e fre edo m o f each m a n t o l i ve h i s i n di v i d u al
l i fe so l on g a s h e doe s n o t i nt e r f ere w i th th e equa l f ree dom o f
h i s fel l o w s an d th e righ t o f th e com mu n i ty to l iv e i t s l i fe an d
con t rol th e i nd i v i d u al so that h e w i l l n o t e x ceed th e f reedom
vo uch sa fed t o h im
Fin al ly th e s e a re th e p ri n cipl es I w ou l d apply to go ve rnmen t
a ff a i r s P ol i ti cs sh o u l d b e s imp l e rath e r th an con fu sed O f
fi c i al s sh ou l d be r e sp on s i ve no t i r re spo n s ibl e
Th e re shou l d b e
an en d o f ch eck s an d b alance s
T h ere sh ou l d be a d i rect v i si on
b etw een th e c i t iz en an d his se r van t a n d easy mean s f or th e
co mm un ity to ach i eve i t s w i l l an d a n equ al ly e a sy m ean s t o
ch ange i t s d ec i s i on s w hen i t fi n d s i t sel f i n e r ro r I n fi n e I
b el i eve th at g ov e rn m en t shou l d b e re spon s i ve to p ubl i c op i n i on
an d f ree to refl ect th at op in i o n i n l egi sl at i on w h en exp res sed
.
,
,
.
,
.
.
.
,
.
,
,
.
,
.
E qu i ty
J a n u a ry
.
The
Oh i o
,
1
91 4
D e feat
O ffi c i al ret u rn s o f th e vot e o n th e S hort B al lot amend m ent s
in O h i o sh o w th e f ol l o w i ng v ote :
Fo r th e st at e amen dment
aga in st
Fo r th e c ounty amen dment
agai n st
T h e h eavi e st m aj o ri ty agai n st th e a men d ment s a s wa s e x
I t w a s t o t h em th at th e
p ec ted w a s ca st i n th e r u ra l cou nti e s
st at e offi cial s ch i efl y d i rect e d thei r campa ign T h e Sho rt Bal l ot
forc e s o n th e oth e r h an d d i recte d m o s t o f th ei r ene rgi e s to
th e c ity vote rs ; an d w h e re i t w a s po ss ibl e to secu re e ffect i ve
p u b l ic i ty th e amen d me nt s ca rri ed by sub stant ial m aj o rit i e s a s
i n Cuyahoga Cou nty ( C l ev elan d ) Lu ca s ( Tol ed o ) an d H am
i lton ( Ci nci n n ati )
On No vemb e r l o th th e Oh i o S hort B al l ot Comm itt ee i s su ed
th i s stat em ent w h ich sp eak s fo r it sel f :
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
.
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
'
,
fi rs t S h o r t B a l l o t s k i r m is h
b ec a u s e t h e
n e w ; t h e p r i n c ip l e w a s m is r e p r es e n te d b y o ffi c e h o l d e r s a n d
a n d th e a m e n d m e n ts
a s s u b m i t te d b y t h e g e n e r a l a s s e m b l y
Th e
m e n t is
s ee
k
ers ,
co
i n fo t m
c o u n t ie s
m m an d ed
m a j o r it y
Th e
lost
on
T ues d a y :
,
u n fo r t u n a te
In
wa s
o
s a t i s fa c t o r
xt
ne
t
th e
y
l to n
wil l b e
on
ful l y
.
In
C y
p r e s e n te
d
to
le
by
c a r r ie d
th e
pe o p
g a C o u n ty i t
by
a n d i n L uc a s b y
b al l o t am en d m en t
a n i n it ia te d s h o r t-
m a j o r i t ie s
H
w as
c a us e
am i
in
c o n tes
we r e
,
.
wh e r e
f
m o ve
ot
h ee
u
ah o
it
a
wh ic h
S H O RT B AL LO T
42
th em t h e qu al i fi cat i on s requ i red th e l ength s o f th e te rm s an d
th e r ec u r rence o f el ect i on s
S om ebody doe s kno w ho w eve r T h e ci ti z en bei ng too bu sy
w ith h i s p ri v ate a ffa i r s t o k eep h im s el f i n fo rme d on th e s e m u l
titu din o u s p ub l ic matter s th e re ha s g ro wn up a p ro fe s si on wh i ch
man age s h i s v ot ing fo r h i m Nece s sity h a s c reat ed th e p ol i
t ic ia n—t h e sp eci al i st i n th e el ecti o n b u s in e s s
T h e p ro f e s sion o f t h e p ol i t ic i an i s a tho ro ughl y hono rab l e
an d u se fu l o n e I n Ch ic ago an d a fe w oth er c it i e s o rgan i z ati on s
l ik e th e M u n i cipa l Vote r s Leagu e m aint ai n hon es t el ecti o n sp e
c ial i s t s
p aying th em to p l a ce t h ei r know l ed ge a nd sk i l l at th e
se r v ic e o f th e p ub l i c
G en e ra l ly h ow e v e r th e p rofe s si on a l p ol it i cia n i s i n b u si nes s
fo r h i m sel f H e t rad e s i n th e p eopl e s ignora nc e an d fi l l s at
l east th e m i no r o ffi ce s w ith m en w h o w i l l s e r ve h i s o wn i nte re st s
A n ew i dea i s ab roa d o ffe r i ng to re medy m any o f t h e i l l s
o f ru l e by pol i t i ci an s
I t ad vi se s : S ho rte n th e bal l ot ; tak e th e
m i no r o ffi c e s o ff th e vot in g -p ap e r s T h e c it i z en ca n po st h im sel f
conce rn in g con d iti on s fo r the p res i dency g o v ern o r s h ip mayo r
a l ty T h e r e w i l l b e g r eate r ce rta i nty i n gett in g t he r i gh t me n in
t h e h igh p lace s i f th e l ittl e p l ace s a re n ot v oted fo r at th e same
t i m e T hen l et t h e big m en appo int t h e l ittl e on e s—and b e re
spo n si b l e fo r t h em D r i ve t h e pol i ti cal sp ec ial i st s o u t o f bu si n e s s
by ma k i n g th em unnece s sary
T h e S hort Ba l lot m ean s th e con cent rat i on o f re spon s ib i l i ty
,
,
,
.
.
,
,
.
.
.
,
’
,
.
,
,
’
.
.
,
.
.
-
,
,
.
'
.
.
.
.
Out l o o k
-2
.
.
Au gus t
2 8,
1
909
S ho rt Bal l ot
Som e o f o ur reade r s app ea r t o th i nk th a t t h e S ho rt B a l l ot
i dea i s a no ve l an d ra d i ca l on e It i s not In A me ri can p ol it ic s
it i s a h u nd red a n d th i rty -t wo y ea rs o ld
T h e S ho rt Ba l lot id ea h a s been d e fi n ed an d d e sc ribed i n
se ve ral a rt i cl e s recent ly p u bl i sh e d i n th e se pages I t i s th at w e
s h o u l d fo l lo w i n o u r m u n ic ipa l an d s tate el ect ion s th e m et hod
o f o u r fed e ral e l ecti on ; t hat w e sho u l d make o u r e l ect i ve p ubl i c
offi ci al s a s fe w a s p o s si bl e an d con fe r upon th em a s gr eat
ex ecut i ve pow e rs a s po ss ibl e T h e Co n st it ut io n o f th e Un i ted
State s s ubm itte d to th e p eopl e i n 1 78 7 a dopted fo r th e nat i ona l
go ve rnm en t t h e S hort Bal l ot p l an o f con d u ct i ng e l ect i on s a nd
.
.
.
.
.
.
,
,
,
S H O R T B ALL OT
43
rej ecte d a fte r se ri ou s d ebate th e m etho d n o w u n i ve rsal ly fol
lo we d i n e l ect ion s i n t h e v a ri o u s state s I n n at i ona l a ff a i r s th e
cit i z en v ote s fo r o n e p res i d en t w i th a va st appoin t ing p o w e r
on e r ep re se ntat iv e an d ( a lth ou gh i n d i rect l y ) f o r t wo s enato rs
G ou vern eu r M o rr i s o f N e w Yo rk w as l a rg ely i n st ru menta l i n
h av in g t h e S h o rt B al lot i d ea i nt ro du ce d i nto th e Fede ra l Co n
T e n yea r s be fo re i n 1 77 7 h e t ri ed to in t ro d uc e i t i nto
s t itu tio n
t he Co n stit ut i o n o f t h e S tat e o f New Yo rk an d u n f o rt un atel y
fai l ed T h eo do re Roosev el t i n h i s v ery inte re st in g an d il l um i
n at in g l i fe o f G o u v e rn eu r M o rri s p ub l i sh ed t w enty yea rs ago
i n th e Am er ic an S tate sme n S e ri e s m ake s th e fo l lo w i ng s ig
n ifi can t com ment s upon M o r ri s s con n ection w i th th e fi r st N e w
Yo rk S tat e C on st itut i on :
,
,
.
,
.
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
.
,
,
,
,
’
v er th e ex ec u tiv e b r an c h th a t th e m ai n c o n tes t a r o s e It
w a s c o n c e d e d th at th is s h o u l d b e n o m i n al l y s i n gl e-h ea d e d ; th a t i s
th a t
t h er e s h o u l d b e a g o v e r n o r
B u t th e m e m b e r s g e n e r a l l y c o u l d n o t r e al i z e
h o w di fi er e n t w as a g o v er n o r e l ec t e d b y th e p eo p l e a n d r es p o n s ib l e t o
t h em f r o m o n e a pp o i n te d b y a n a l i e n a n d h i gh er p o w e r to r u l e o v e r th e m
as
i n th e c o l o n i a l d a y s
M o r r is h i m s el f w as w o n d er f u ll y c l ea r
s i gh te d a n d c oo l h ea d e d
H e d i d n o t l e t th e m e m o r y o f th e w r o n g d o i n g
o f t h e r o y a l g o v e r n o r s bl i n d h i m ; h e s a w th a t th e t r o u bl e w i t h
th e m l a y
n o t i n th e p o wer th a t th e y h e l d
b u t i n th e s o u rc e f r o m wh ic h t h a t p o we r
c am e
On c e th e s o u r c e wa s c h a n g e d t h e p o we r wa s a n a d v a n t a g e n o t a
h ar m t o t h e s t a t e
Y et f ew o r n o n e o f h is c o m p a n i o n s c o u l d s ee th i s ;
an d
t h e y n er v o u s l y s t r o ve t o s a v e t h ei r n e w s t a te f r o m th e d a n g er o f
ex ec u t iv e u s u r p a ti o n b y t r y i n g t o m a k e th e e x e c u ti v e p r ac t ic a ll y a b o a r d
o f m e n i n s t ea d o f o n e m a n
a n d b y c r ip p l i n g it s o a s t o m a k e it i n e ffe c tiv e
f o r g o o d wh i l e a t th e s a m e t i m e d iv i d i n g th e r es p o n s ib i l it y s o th a t n o o n e
n e e d b e a f r a i d to d o ev i l
I t was
o
.
,
‘
.
‘
,
'
,
,
.
o
-
.
,
,
.
,
,
.
,
,
,
,
.
W h i l e th e
i ew s o f M o r ri s w e r e a dopt ed i n th e Fed e ra l C o n
s t itut io n
th ey w ere rej ect e d i n t h e St at e Con st i t uti on T h e
r es u l t i s th at t o d ay b o s s -ma d e an d m ach in e -d ri v en gov ernm ent
flou r i sh e s i n o u r stat e a n d m un ic ip a l a dm i n i st rat i on s wh i l e i t
ha s comp arati vely l itt l e i n flu ence i n na ti o na l a ff ai r s T h e p op u l a r
w i l l i s e xp re s se d m ore d i rect ly a n d mo r e e ffi ci entl y th rough th e
S ho rt B al l ot o f o u r fed e ral e l ect i on s th a n t h ro ugh th e c u mb e r
som e m eth od b y w h i ch in B o s ton f o r examp l e th e vote r i s
con fron ted w ith th e n ame s o f n ea rl y n i nety can d idate s on h i s
b al lot
B o ston ha s d i scov ere d th e f act t h at it s p r esent sy st em o f
el ect ion s c ont rib ute s t o t h e co n f u s io n o f th e vote r an d th e
st ren gth en i ng o f th e co r rup t o r s el fi sh bo ss T h e B o ston
Financ e Com mi s s ion a ft e r d i scl o si ng a con dit i on o f cor rup t i o n
v
.
,
,
.
.
,
,
,
.
~
.
,
S H O R T B ALL O T
44
at th e c ity h al l w h i ch a ro u sed th e a tten ti on a nd i n dign at i on o f
th e w ho l e com m u n i ty h a s p ropo sed an d p u t t h rough th e state
l egi sl atu re a C h a rte r b i l l by w h ic h two p l an s fo r c i ty el ec t ion s
w i l l b e su bm itted to th e v ote r s n ext No vembe r P l an n umb e r
on e i s g en era lly r ega rd ed as t h e p lan o f th e p ol i t ic i an s ; p lan
n u mbe r tw o i s th at f avo re d by th e Fi na n ce Comm i s s i on B ot h
p l an s h o w ev er p rov i d e fo r a s horte r b a l l ot than B o ston n ow
emp l oy s fo r th e p resen t c i ty gov e rnm ent i ncl ud e s th i rteen al d er
m en el ected ann ual ly at l arge an d s event y -fi v e c ommon c oun ci l o rs
el ected an n u al ly by w a rd s P l a n n u mbe r on e o r th e pol iti cian s
p l an p rovi d e s a comm on co un c i l o f th i rty -s ix m embe r s an d
w h il e a conce s s ion t o S h o rt B al lo t s ent i m ent st i l l cl i ngs t o th e
i d ea o f a b ul ky an d u n w i el d ly a dmi n i st rat ion P l an n umb er t wo ,
i n o ur j u dgment fa r th e m o re p ract ic a l a s w el l a s fa r th e simp l e r
p rov i d e s fo r a c ity coun c i l o f n i n e m ember s T h e ent i r e cou nc i l
i s to be el ecte d th e fi r st yea r bu t a fte r a ce rt a i n d e fi n ite p eri o d
p rov i d ed i n t h e cha rte r th e re w i l l b e on ly f rom fou r t o s i x
mu n i c ip al c an d i dat e s to b e el ect ed each yea r th e l arge r n umbe r
fall in g in th o se yea r s w h en th e mayo r an d t wo m emb er s o f the
s chool com m itt ee a s w el l a s th ree memb e r s o f th e cou nc i l a re
T h e mayo r w i l l b e el ect ed fo r f ou r yea r s bu t
b ein g cho sen
“
”
th e re i s p ro v i si on fo r a re ca l l o n t h e e xp re s si on o f th e w i l l
o f a m a j o r ity o f th e reg i st e red vote rs
T h e w eake st spot i n A m eri ca n d emoc racy to -day i s A m erican
A dvocat e s o f m u n ici p al re form i n a l l pa rt s
cit y go ve rnmen t
of t h e cou nt ry w i l l j o i n w ith th e B o ston Fi nan c e Com m i s s i on
i n th e h op e th at t h e v ote rs o f th a t c ity w i l l adopt p l an n u mb er
Th e Fi na n c e C o mm i s si on i n u rgi ng i t s a dopt ion m ake s
t wo
th e f ol l o w ing p red i ct ion :
B y r ed uc in g th e n u m b er o f c a n d id a tes a n d th er eb y s im p l ify i n g t h e
b all o t g o o d n o m i n atio n s a n d i n tel l ig e n t d is c u s s io n o f c a n d id a tes w i l l b e
T h i s i s n o t n o w th e c as e
Th e c o m m is s io n i s u n d e r n o
p o s s i bl e
i l l u s i o n th a t th e c h a n g es r ec o m m en d ed w i l l o f a n d b y th e m s e l v es s e c u r e
g o o d go v e r n m e n t N o m u n ic ip a l c h a r te r c a n b e a s e l f-ex ec u tin g in s tr u m e n t
of
I f th e p e o p l e wa n t th e k in d o f g o v e r n m e n t th e y h a ve
r ig h t eo u s n es s
I f as
h a d d u r i n g t h e p as t fe w y e a r s n o c h a r te r r ev i s io n w i l l p r ev e n t i t
t h e y d e s i r e g o o d g o v e r n m en t th e p l a n s u gg es te d
th e c o m m is s io n b e l ie v es
s h o u l d e n a bl e th e m to o b ta in a n d k e ep i t
,
.
.
,
,
,
’
.
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
.
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
.
.
.
.
"
.
‘
,
,
.
'
,
,
.
.
.
.
.
.
,
,
,
,
.
W h y sh ou l d
th e S h ort B al l ot i d ea wh ich h a s been p ut
i nto su cce s s fu l op e rat i on i n so m e o f o ur w e st e rn c i t i e s an d i s
n o w l i k ely to be a pp l i e d to m u n ic ip al a d m in i st rat ion i n B o ston
be tak en u p d i scu ssed an d pe rh ap s embo d i ed i n c on st it ut i onal
'
ll Ot
,
,
,
,
,
S H O RT B A LL O T
45
a m en dme nt s i n th e va ri o u s state s a s a m ean s o f re form i ng st ate
po l it i cs along p racti c al l i nes ?
O u tl o o k
- 1
3
.
A u g us t
.
1
,
1
909
S h o rt B a l lot A gai n
T h e el ecto ra l re fo r m p ropo se d by M r Ri ch a r d S Ch i l d s i n
”
“
a recent i s su e o f T h e O u tl ook an d ent i t led T h e S ho rt B a l lot
ha s ex ci te d an un u s ua l amo u nt o f n e w sp ap e r comm ent— m u c h
w e a r e boun d to say sk ept i cal i f n ot a dve r se T h i s i s
o f it
not d i sappo in ti ng bec a u se i t i s ent i rel y n at u ral A me rican s a re
t horough l y sat u rat e d w i th th e i d ea o f d em ocracy ; th ey bel i ev e
“
w ith al l the i r h ea rt s th at th i s i s a gov e rn men t o f th e p eop l e
”
by th e p eop l e an d fo r th e p eopl e
P a rt l y t h rou gh th e i nfl u en ce
o f Fren ch pol it i ca l p h i l o sop h e r s i n th e p e ri od o f st ruggle i mm e
d iately p rec ed in g th e bi rt h o f th e A m e r ican Rep ubl i c pa rtly
th ro ugh t ra d it ion p a rt ly th rough th e un con sc i ou s an d anton o
m o u s g rowth o f p ol it ical m ach in e ry a n d p artl y t h rou gh th e
“
”
p er s i stently i n cu l cate d doct ri n es o f th e pol i ti cal b o s se s , who
wi sh to cont rol n om i nat i on s an d e l ect i on s w e h av e com e to
ac cep t a s a f un dam enta l p a rt o f ou r p ol it i ca l c reed th e b el i ef
that i n o rder to h av e a rep resen tat i v e gov e rn men t th e p eop l e
m u st choo s e an d el ect a l l th ei r execu t i v e o ffi c er s— o r at l ea st
i f not al l a s m any a s i t i s p hy s i cal l y p o s si bl e t o c row d u pon a
b al lot
W e do recogn i z e tha t th e r e a re so me phy si cal l im i ta
t ion s ; i n N ew Yo rk w e el ect a s ec reta ry o f stat e b ut w e l et
h i m ch oos e h i s d ep u t i e s ; w e e l ect o u r st ate t rea su re r b ut w e
l et hi m appo i nt h i s ca sh i er I t i s man i f e st th e re fore th at a l i n e
i s to be d ra w n som ewh ere M r C h i ld s p rop o s e s n o t th at w e
sh al l a dopt a rad i cal l y n e w sy stem of go ve rnment b ut s i mp ly
th at w e sha l l m ove th e l i n e w h i ch everybody reco gn i z es a l i ttl e
f u rth e r up wa r d an d vot e fo r fe we r offi cer s i mpo s ing up on th o s e
o fli c er s g re ate r re spon s ib i li ti e s o f app oi ntment ;
W e shou l d st i l l
h ave a rep re sentat i v e gov ernm en t— in o u r j u dgm ent a m o re rep
r es en tat i ve gov ern ment
fo r th e el ecte d o ffi ce r s w ou l d b e mo r e
i nti mat ely kn o wn an d un d e r stood by t h e v ot ers a n d wo u l d
th e re fo re b e hel d bot h mo ral ly an d p ract i cal l y m o re resp on si bl e
to th e p eopl e
From a m a s s o f n ew s pap e r ed ito ri al s wh i ch hav e com e to
o u r attent i on
w e sel ect t h ree a s vo i ci ng th e typ i ca l obj ec ti on s
.
.
,
,
,
,
.
,
.
,
,
.
,
‘
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
,
“
,
.
,
,
.
,
.
:
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
,
,
S H O R T B A LL O T
46
t o th e i d ea o f th e S h o rt B al l ot T h e Con cord ( N ew H am psh i re )
“
P at rio t say s :
I f w hat M r Ch i l d s says b e t r u e w hy n ot el ect
j u s t o n e m an i n th e state a s say gov e rno r on e m an i n th e
co u nty a s say ,sh e ri ff ; a n d on e m an i n th e c ity a s say mayo r
an d le t h i m fi l l a l l t h e oth e r p lace s
W hy not i n d eed w ith
th e mod i fi cat i on o f h av i n g th e vote r a l so el ect o n e o r t wo r epr e
s en tativ es t o a l egi sl at i v e cou n ci l
wh i ch sh a l l co -op e rat e w i th
Th i s i s th e meth od emp l oy e d i n th e nati on al
the e xec ut i v e ?
go ve rn m ent an d i t wo rk s e nti re ly s u cce s s fu l ly T h e p re s i d ent s
o f t h e Un it ed St at e s
fro m th e d ay s o f W a sh i ngto n h a v e r ep r e
s en te d th e A m e ri c an p eop l e an d hav e p rot ecte d t h em i n t h e i r
d emoc rat i c r i gh t s more comp l et e ly an d mor e s u cce s s f ul l y tha n
t h e stat e a dm i n i st rat ion s o f any stat e o r o f a l l t h e s t ate s T h e
P at ri ot goe s on to say that N e w Ham p sh i r e h a s t ri ed th e S h o rt
B a l l ot p l an w i th l a rge app oi nt i v e p o w e r an d it h a s p ro ved a
fa i l u re ; t h at Ne w H amp sh i r e h a s n ot h a d a g ov e rno r i n d eca de s
w h o h a s r eal ly rep r e sented th e p eop l e a n d w h o ha s n o t ma d e
h i s app o in tm ent s f rom co r r upt o r s el fi sh o r w eak m ot i ve s O u r
an s w e r i s fi rst t h at N e w H amp sh i re h a s n e v e r t r i e d t h e S h o rt
B al lot p la n A 1 904 b al l ot o f th e N e w H amp sh i re c ity o f M an
ch e ste r i n cl u d e s ou t si d e o f t h e n at ion a l o ffi c e s th i rty -o n e set s
o f can di date s T h i s i s not a s h o rt bal l ot b u t o n th e cont ra ry
“
i s o n e o f th e l onge st i n th e coun t ry
N e ith e r th e p eop l e o f
“
”
N e w H amp sh i re n o r any oth e r st ate
s ay s M r C h i l d s
a re
c omp et ent t o el ect t h i rty on e o ffi c e r s o n on e day w it h any d egre e
N oth i n g but a l ong -e stab l i sh e d an d a d ro it ly
o f d i sc ri m i n at i on
m an age d p ol it i cal m ach i n e can han dl e th e ta sk o f m ak in g n om i
nati on s f o r s uch a m ul t it u d e o f o ffi ce s I t i s n ot st ran ge th en
t h at th e m ach i ne c an cont ro l n ot on l y th e m in o r o flflc ial s b u t al s o
”
t h e gove rn o r
B u t supp o s e tha t the P at r iot w e re correct an d
that N e w H amp sh i r e vote r s by m ean s o f th e S h o rt Bal l ot had
e l ect e d co rrupt go ve rn o r s f o r d eca d es I s th e rem edy to gi v e
th em t h e opp o rtun i ty to el ec t a great bo dy o f cor rupt s u b o r d i
“
?
D oe s th e p e s s i mi s t i c m a x i m
n ate o ffi ce r s
S et a t h i e f to cat ch
”
a th i e f p rovi d e a c u r e fo r ou r p ol it ica l i l l s ? D ec id e d l y n o t
Th e r em edy i n N e w H amp sh i re i s to c ent e r th e p o w e r o f
ex ecut i v e a ct ion an d d i rect r e sp on s ib i l i ty to th e p eop l e i n th e
g o v e rno r an d t h en to e d u cat e th e v ot e rs so tha t t h ey w i l l m ak e
sh o rt sh ri ft o f a g o ve r no r wh o do e s n o t rep re sent t h em a s th ey
d es i re
T h e s econ d obj ect o r i s th e A u ro ra ( I l l inoi s ) B eacon w h ich
.
.
,
‘
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
-
,
,
'
’
.
‘
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
'
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
.
.
,
,
-
.
.
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
'
,
.
,
'
,
.
,
S H O RT B ALL O T
47
'
ssert s th at th e v oter s i n I l l i n o i s o n th e w h ol e k n ow th e per
son al qual i fi c at ion s fo r o fli c e o f th e can di d ate s p res en te d t o th em
fo r el ect i on up o n th e p re sent b al lot an d d e si re t o act f o r th e m
se l v e s up on t hat k no w l edge W e con ce d e t h e fa ct th at a h igh
d eg tee o f i ntel l igen ce p reva i l s i n th e st at e o f I l l i noi s b u t w e
dou b t wh et h e r th e c i t i z en s o f Au ro ra a re comp et en t to d eci d e
o r ar e i nt ere sted i n d ec i di n g
w h eth e r th e stat e engi n eer kn o w s
enou gh d iff e ren ti a l cal cu l u s p rop e rly to d ete rmi n e th e st ra in on
a n a rch i n on e o f t h ei r n ew h igh way b ri d ge s ; o r w h eth e r th e
t ru ste e s fo r th e Un i ve r s ity o f I l l i noi s fo r w h om th ey vote a re
fi tte d to s el ect a p ro fe ss o r o f ag ri cu lt u ral ch em i st ry fo r t h at
a d mi rab l e i n st it ut ion Yet th es e a r e exactly t h e k in d o f qu e s
t ion s w h i c h th e cit iz en s o f I l l i no i s ough t to gi v e a tt ent ion to i f
th ey a r e go i ng to vot e i nt el l igentl y fo r som e o f th e ca n d i d ate s
n o w p re sent e d fo r th ei r i n sp ect i o n an d su ff rage T h e ab su rd ity
m ath em ati ca l o r ch em ic a l r espon s ibi l i ti e s on th e
o f i mpo si n g
vot er i s m an i fe st
T h e C lev elan d ( O h i o ) Lead e r i s a not h e r obj ecto r to th e
S ho rt B al lot p l an an d i t s op i n ion i s ty p i ca l o f a som ewh at gen
era l b u t n ot v e ry ca re fu l ly rea so n ed skep t i c i sm T h e L ead e r i s
i ncl i n e d t o be l i ev e th at a mo r e effi c i ent d emo c rat i c gov ern m ent
wo u l d fol l o w th e conc en t rati o n o f al l re spon sib i l i ty upo n few er
e l ecte d p ub l i c s e rv ant s b ut it al so b el i ev e s that th e Ame ric an
“
T h e maj o r ity it i s
p eo p l e d o not w an t t h i s k in d o f re for m
p rob ab l e w ou ld p r e fe r t o b e bad ly an d wa ste fu l ly gov ern e d an d
sti l l gov e rn e d di rectly by m en o f th ei r ow n choos i ng rath e r tha n
to b e w el l go v e rn ed an d h av e th ei r p ub l i c bu si n es s e ffi ci ent l y
ad mi n i stered i f i t h a d to b e d on e by offi c i al s wh om th e p eop l e
“
”
d i d not s e lect
I f th e Lead e r m ean s to say by o fli c ial s a l l o f
”
wh o m th e p eop l e d i d n ot se l ect w e t ak e i s su e w i th i t ; w e do
not th i n k Am erican s w ant ba d gov ern men t i n e x ch ange fo r el ect
ing a l l p ubl i c s e rvant s Th ey do h ow e ve r d e si r e tha t t h e o f
fi c ial s wh om) t h ey d o el ect s h al l m i n d th ei r bu s i n e ss sh al l fee l
th ei r re spon si b i l ity an d sh a l l b e r espon s i v e to th e p op u l a r w i l l
T h e p ostma st er -gen era l o f t h e Un i te d S tate s w ho i s appoi nted
by t h e p r e si den t a n s we r s t o th e s e r equ i rem ent s qu it e a s fu l ly
a s th e p res i dent h i m sel f I f th e r e i s any ex ecu ti v e d ep a r tm en t
o f t h e go vern men t th e h ea d o f wh i ch t h e p eop l e m igh t n at u r al ly
fee l sh o u l d be sel ec te d by th em an d by th em al on e i t i s th e
d i recto r o f th e po st -o flfic e B ut th e fact th at h e i s an app oi nte d
a n d n o t an el ected o ffi cia l d o es no t m ake h i m i m m un e fro m th e
a
,
.
,
,
,
,
,
.
.
.
.
,
.
:
,
.
,
,
.
,
'
~
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
,
.
48
S H O RT B ALLO T
'
e x erc i s e o f th e p op ula r w i l l A p o stma ste r -gen e ra l wh os e act s
met w ith a sto rm o f d i sapp r ova l f ro m ev e ry pa rt o f th e c ou nt ry
wo u l d at onc e re s i g n o r b e d i smi s se d from an y cab i n et ex cept
p erh ap s t h at o f a P re si d ent Joh n so n ; an d P re si d ent J ohn son
c ou l d n ot h av e b een el ecte d i n a cco rdan ce w ith th e S hort B al l ot
p rin cip l e
It app ea rs to u s con c l u si v e that th e b u rd en o f p roo f rest s
u po n th e obj ecto r s to th e S ho rt Ba l l ot i dea ; i t n e ed s mo re evi
d enc e tha n ha s b e en s o fa r p res ent e d to conv i nc e T h e O ut look
th at it i s n ot easy to u n de r stan d s irnpl e o f app l i cat ion p ol it i ca l ly
effi ci en t an d m o re i n acco rd w it h th e p ri n cip l e s o f r ep re sen tat i v e
gov e rn m ent tha n o u r p res en t m eth o d o f t ry ing to s el ect a l l
p ubl i c o ffi c e r s b y p op u l a r choi ce
.
,
,
,
'
i
,
'
.
a.
.
,
.
,
,
,
.
E qu i t y
J an ua ry
.
,
1
91 4
S ho rt B al lot M ov em ent i n N ew Yo rk
Th e S hort B a l l o t i d ea rec ei ved i t s greate st i mp et u s i n N ew
Yo rk st at e w h en o n D ec embe r 5 th e Repub l i ca n con f eren c e
i n N e w Yo r k C ity a dop ted a re sol ut ion couch e d i n v e ry d e fi n i te
t e rm s s upport in g t he app l i cat i on o f t h e p ri nc ip l e to th e state
go ve rn m ent T h i s a ct i o n a s su re d th e suppo rt o f th e pa rty i n
th e n ex t l egi sl atu re fo r a con st it ut i ona l a m en dm ent w h i ch w ou l d
v e st th e appo i nt m en t o f th e p ri ncipa l ad m i n i st rat i v e stat e offi ce rs
-gen e ra l
t
h
e
co
mpt
ro
l
l
e
r
th
e
atto
rn
ey
th e stat e t rea su re r th e
(
in th e
s ec ret a ry o f st at e an d t h e st at e en gi n e er an d su rv eyo r )
gov ern o r T h i s fo l l o w s th e l i n e o f a d van ce l a i d do w n i n Ca l i
fo r mia I ow a an d O h i o a n d may be c al l ed t h e o rthodox m ea su re
a s app l i ed t o st at e go ve r n m en t
G ov e rn o r H ugh e s at th e v e ry o ut se t o f th e S ho rt B al l ot
movem ent recom mend ed s uch a st ep bu t h i s in flu ence th ough
g reat w a s i n s u ffi ci en t t o com mi t th e pa rty La s t yea r h ow
ev e r t h e P rogres s i v e f o rce s n o t on ly i nco rp o rat ed t h e S ho rt
B a l l ot p ri nc ip l e i n th e i r stat e p l at form b ut p repa re d a n d s ub
m itted i n t h e l egi sl at u re a d e fi n ite mea su re an d suppo rted it w i th
a p amph l et wh i ch wa s w i d el y c i rc u l ated I n th e D em oc rat ic p a rty
t h e p r opo sal n o w ha s a t l ea st th e p a s s i v e support o f Go v e rno r
G lyn n wh o i n c al l i n g th e atten tion o f t h e l e g i sl at u re t o th e
n ece s si ty fo r a co n st ituti ona l conven ti on at an ea rly d at e poi nted
t o th e gen e ra l s ent i men t fo r S ho rt Bal l ot r e form a s o ne Q f the
ch i e f re a son s fo r actio n
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
'
,
,
.
,
,
.
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
.
S H O RT B A LLO T
50
b al l ot th e c an d i d ate s o f a l l t h e pa rt i e s fo r gov e rnor
a n d fo r th e oth e r fou r stat e Offi ce s
a l so f o r s tat e s en ato r a nd
fo r stat e rep re sentat i v e
T h i s mak e s eigh t o ffi ce s to b e fi l l ed
u pon th e sam e b al lot
B es id e s al l th i s i n fi ve o f o u r s i x cit ie s th e re wa s a secon d
b al lot d epo s ited at th e sam e t i m e conta in i n g th e na m e s o f c an
didate s fo r mayo r a n d th e oth e r gen e ra l ci ty offi ci al s fo r a l d e r
m en fo r th e s ev era l m embe r s o f th e com mon co un c i l a n d me m
b e r s o f th e s choo l com m i tt ee
E ach o f th e t wo ba l l ot s m igh t b e vot ed i n i t s ent i ret y by
ma rking a c ro s s ( it ) i n th e ci rcl e u n de r t h e symbo l at th e h ea d
I n th i s w ay mo st e l ecto r s b y m ak in g a s i ngl e
o f th e p a rty l i st
c ro ss ma rk v ot e th ei r s traigh t p a rty t i ck et t h u s u su a l ly gu a ran
t eei n g th e e l ect i on o f th e can d idat e s el ect ed by th e m ach i n e o f
th e s u cc e s s fu l p a rty
It i s n eed l e ss t o say th at o f two oppo s i ng c an d i d ate s th e
i n f e ri o r f requ ently i s e l ected an d th at e ven fo r s o i mportan t
a n o ffi ce a s gov e rn o r 0 r congre s s m an t h e rea l p re fe ren ce o f
m any vote r s i s not ex p r es t
Th i s yea r too th e e l ect io n o f co n
g res s m en i n Rho de I s lan d w a s comp l i cat ed by t h e fact t h at th e
l egi s lat u r e th en c h o s en i s to el ect a s ucce s so r to S en ato r A l d r i ch
T h e Ma s sach u sett s ba l lot i s b ette r th a n t h at o f Rho d e I s l an d
i n that each el ecto r i n o rd e r t o v ot e a f u l l t i c k et m u st l oo k h i s
bal l ot ent i rely th ru a n d m ak e h i s sel ect i o n f ro m th e na m e s alpha
B u t ev en so fo r m any i f
b etic al ly a rrange d u n de r ea ch offi ce
n ot al l o f th e offi ce s th e av e ra ge v ot e r m u st g u es s rath e r than
ch oos e i nte l l igent ly th ereby fa l l i ng fa r sh o rt o f t h e b es t r es u lt s
Th e comm i s si on fo rm o f gov ern men t fo r ci t i e s w h e re n ot
m o re th an fi v e o ffi c e s a re to b e fi l l e d at o n e e lect i on i s e u log i z ed
a s an i l l u st ra ti on o f th e S ho rt B al l o t C e rtai nl y th e l im i tati o n
o f t h e d uty o f s el ect i on to d e s i gn ati ng a fe w i mpo rtan t offi c ial s
i s a gre at i mp rovem en t ov e r t h e fi l l i n g o f a l ong l i st o f offi c e s
many o f t h em o f se e m i ng un i mpo rt ance wh i ch u sua l ly ch a racte r
i z e s m u n i c i pal el ecti on s H ow ev e r fi v e o r e v en t h re e a re too
m any fo r th e av erage v ote r t o choo s e su cces s f u ll y at th e s am e
t i me
T h e greate r o bj ect i on to t h e com m i s s io n f orm o f gov
m ent a s n o w d ev el op ed i s that a l a rge m i n o r ity o f th e
i s u n rep re sent ed u pon th e c ity l e gi sl atu re o f fi v e m emb e r
wh at eve r a dm i n i st rat iv e fu n ct i on s
m i ss i on e r; i t i s st i l l t ru e th at a s
g res s io n al
,
,
.
.
,
,
,
,
,
.
.
,
:
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
'
.
,
,
.
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
,
.
-
,
,
,
S H O R T B ALL O T
51
’
tax at ion appo rt ion th e ci ty s i ncome an d en act o rd in an ce s a l l
o f th e m l egi s lat iv e fu nct i on s
Th e c ity comm i s si on th e re fore i s a sma l l bo dy cho sen by
a p l u ral ity up on w h ich a m i n o ri ty o f th e el ectorat e h ow ev er
l arge i s u n rep re sent ed
I p re di ct th at w i th in a fe w y ea r s a s soon a s th e p ol i ti ca l
mach i n e s l ea rn th e rop e s of th e n ew sy s t em spoi l smen w i l l con
s titute th e
m aj o rity o f th e commi s si o n — an d th en " W i th a l l
pow e r concent rat ed i n t h e h an d s of th ree m en w h o a re se rvi ng
th e in t ere st s rath e r t han th e p ub l i c w e may w i tn e s s a b u ses equal
to i f not e xceedi n g anyth in g kn o wn i n th e p a st e ith e r i n P h i l a
delp h ia S an Fran c i s co o r P i tt sb u rg
A s re fo rme r s o u r a im shou l d be n ot t he S ho r t B a l l ot b ut
th e s h o r tes t b a l l o t
At no el ecti on sh o ul d mo re than o n e o ffi cer
h e vote d fo r by any el ecto r
T h at i s th e s itu at i on i n th e pa rl ia
m enta r y el ect i on s o f G reat B ri ta in b u t th e choi c e o f th e vote r
amo n g cand i d at e s i s v e ry restr i ct e d w i th th e re su l t o f a l egi s l a
t i ve body cho sen by an d rep re s entati ve o f abo u t o n e-h a l f o f th e
total n um be r o f qu a l i fi e d el ector s vot in g P a r l iam ent d e si gn ate s
t he p ri m e m ini st ers th us a v o idin g o u r p op u l a r el ect i on o f p res i
dent ; bu t si n ce th e choo s ing bo dy i s u n rep re sen t at i v e th e ad
min i st rat ion i t name s m u st al so i n som e re sp ect s b e u n r ep re
s en ta t iv e o f th e w i l l o f th e p eop l e
In ord er to appl y th e sh o rt e st b a llot t o th e el ect ion o f c o n
g res sm en i n th e stat e o f M a s sach u sett s i t wou l d on ly b e n eces
sa ry to h ave a gen e ral t i ck et fo r th e ent i re s tat e an d l i mi t ea ch
el ecto r to a s i ngl e v ote Fo r th e fo u rt een cong re s s i on al offi ce s
th e nam es of dou b l e th at n u mb e r o f can d i date s m i gh t app ea r
u pon th e bal l ot e ach e l ecto r to take h i s cho i c e from th e ent i re
l i st
Un d e r su ch an el ect ion l a w th e m eth od o f nom inat i ng can
d ida te s b ecom es u n i mpo rtant
P rima ry el ect ion l aw s w h i ch at
b est are a n a d de d an d d i sag reeabl e b u r den i mpo s e d upon th e
vote r s w i l l becom e o f n o con sequ en ce an d may w el l b e r ep eal ed
Let th e p arti es l a rge an d smal l n om in at e i n s uch m ann e r a s
they choo se an d l et i n di v i dual s sign n om i nati o n p ap er s fo r i n d e
p en dent c an d idate s w h en th ey l ike B y th e se t wo m etho d s a
s u ffi c ient n umbe r o f cap abl e m en w i l l fi n d th ei r n am e s p l ac e
d
up on th e ba l lot an d t he fou rt een cand i dat e s r ece i v i n g t h e hi ghe st
n umb e r o f vote s w il l b e el ecte d I n th i s w ay i n stea d o f fou r
t een geograph i cal d i st ri c ts b ei n g rep re sen te d i n Con gre ss b y th e
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
'
.
.
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
,
.
.
,
.
.
,
.
,
,
,
,
.
,
.
6
,
S H O RT B ALL O T
52
c hoic e o f th e p a rty d omi n an t i n each th e fou rt een l ead i ng
p ol it ica l op i n ion s h el d by th e v ot e r s o f t h e st at e o f M as s ac h u
s e tt s w i l l be r ep re sente d i n mo st ca se s by th e ab l est expon ent o f
th e r e sp ect i v e op i n i on s In st ead o f abo ut h al f th e vot er s o f th e
stat e b e in g u n rep r es ented an d t h e othe r h a l f i n mo st ca ses
un sati s facto ri ly rep res ented a s i s no w t h e s i t uat i on n ea rl y al l
o f th e el ecto r s w i l l h av e a s spoke sman at W a sh i ngton th ei r fi rst
ch o i ce amon g al l th e ci t iz e n s o f th e stat e
W hat i s h e re st ate d o f M a s sach u setts w i l l b e t ru e o f al l th e
othe r state s T h en ou r n ationa l H o u s e o f Rep re sentat i v e s w il l
b ecom e th e on e t r u ly rep re sent at i v e l egi sla t u re o f th e wo rl d
cap ab l e o f h an dl in g th e b u si ne s s o f th e c o unt ry w i th a fac i l ity
an d s ucc e s s a s yet u n d ream ed o f any wh e re T h i s p e r f ectly rep
r es en tativ e b o dy
refl ecti n g accu rately t h e con v i ct i on s o f th e
p eop l e a s a w hol e ca n g et al ong v e ry w el l w i th ou t th e S enat e
wh i ch sh ou l d th en b e a bol i sh e d
B ut b e sid es a nat ion a l go v ernmen t s oc i ety h a s i n th e Un ited
S tates t wo oth e r p ol i t i ca l o rgan i z at i on s n amel y t h e st at e an d
th e m u n i c ipa l ity E ach o f th e se th ree co rp o rat e b od i e s sh oul d
h ol d th ei r el ecti on s s ep arat el y B u t i n ev ery el ecti on th e same
ful e s h o ul d b e fol lo wed : No el e cto r sh o u l d b e p e rm itt e d to v ote
fo r mlo re th a n o n e can d i dat e b ut h e s hou l d b e enti tl ed t o take
h i s ch oi c e o f a l l th e c an d i dat es i n th e fi el d J u st th e n u mbe r o f
wh ich th e l egi sl at i v e b ody h ad bes t b e compo se d i s n ot a matte r
b ut m u st b e d ete rm i ned by exp e ri en c e Fo r a c ity
o f p ri n cip l e
it m ay b e fi v e a s i n th e comm i ss ion fo rm o f c ity gove rn ment
a s fi x ed up on by th e c ity o f B o ston ; bu t i n
o r i t may b e n in e
e i th e r event a l l shou l d b e el ected ann u al ly upon a gen era l t ic k et
a n d each e l ecto r re st ri cte d t o v oti ng for on e ca n d i d at e o ut o f
th e tota l n u mbe r u pon th e bal l ot
E ventu al l y an i dea l e l ect ion w i l l be con d u ct ed a s fol l ow s :
Fo r i l l u st rat ion make th e appl i cat ion t o th e st at e o f Rhod e
I sl an d A ss u m e th at i t h a s been agree d to abol i sh th e h ou se
l eav i n g b ut o ne body th e stat e sen at e t o be
o f rep re sentat i ve s
compo sed l et u s say o f th i rty -s i x m embe r s
E ach v ot e r
E l ect i on day i s h e re an d al l go to th e po l l s
k no w s th ru p revi o u s n ew sp ape r a d verti sement s by t h e state
f ro m s am pl e b a l lo ts freel y d i st ri but ed a nd by m ean s o f an
a ct i ve campaign j u st c l o sed that fo r th e th i rty -s i x po si t ion s o f
s en at o r th e re a re fi fty o r m o re can d i d ate s A t th e v oti ng booth
h e fi nd s a ch ec k l i st con ta i n i n g i n alp habet i cal ord e r th e n am es
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
.
,
.
,
,
,
‘
.
,
,
'
,
,
“
.
.
'
'
,
.
.
,
'
,
,
,
'
,
.
,
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
,
,
'
,
,
.
S H O RT B ALL O T
:
53
o f th e qual i fi e d e l ecto r s o f h i s d i st ri ct w it h a b l ank s pace at th e
ri gh t o f each n ame H i s sol e du ty a s a n el e cto r i s to anno u nce
v iv a v o c e th e n am e o f th e cand i dat e o f h i s choi ce an d see i t
w ritten i n th e p lac e oppo s it e h i s ow n nam e
Havi ng b u t o n e ch anc e each year to u a me h i s chosen rep t e
s en tativ e
i t i s v ery c e rta i n th at e ach el ector w i l l make up h i s
m in d a fte r mu ch con si d erati on an d w ith du e c are H e w i l l b e
ve ry sol i ci to u s th at h i s so l e rep r esen tat iv e th e only o ne to a ct
fo r h i m i n th e go vern men t o f th e state sh al l b e t h e cand i dat e
abov e a l l oth e r s i n w h om h e ha s con fi d ence S om e m en n o
doubt w i l l v ote fo r a n eig h bo r who m they kno w p e rson al ly a n d
have f aith i n b ut mo re s u rely w i l l s el ect f rom th e l i st th e
c an di dat e w ith o ut rega rd to hi s p l ace o f re si den ce who m h e
de em s th e g reat est an d b e st o f a l l Fe w can b e b r ibed b y any
s u m to vot e f o r oth e r than th ei r fi r st c hoi c e an d a b rib e r i f
su cce s s fu l once w i l l b e d e se rte d by a l l ho ne st s uppo rt er s at t he
n ext el ection No v ote r can b e kept aw ay f ro m th e p ol l s by any
dev i c e sho rt o f fo rc e I nte re st i n t h e el ect ion an d i n th e ret urn s
w i l l b e l ike th at man i f e st ed o ve r a gam e o f ba sebal l b y th e
enth u s ia sti c love r s o f t h at spo rt S u ch a n e l ect i on i n st ea d o f
be in g a s n ow a fi ght w it h i ts e xu ltan t w in n er s an d i t s down
ca st lo se r s w i l l b e a g reat fa i r i n wh i ch al l w i l l d r aw a ri ch
p ri z e
T h e th i rty -s ix cand i date recei vi ng th e h ighe st n u mb e r o f
votes wou l d b e decl ared e l ect ed E ac h senato r el ect e d cou l d
an d doubt l e s s w ou l d b e s upp l i e d w it h a l i st o f th e v ote r s w ho
named h im a s th ei r ch o ic e Not onl y h e h im s el f b u t h i s f el l o w
s enato r s an d th e p u b l i c wou l d k n o w th e k i n d o f ci ti z en s whom
h e rep re sented an d h e w ou l d be rat ed acco rdi ngl y I t may b e
com e d esi rab le th at eac h sen at or i n st ead o f ca st i ng o n e vote on ly
i n h i s o ffi cia l cap ac ity shal l b e ent itl ed to ca st a s man y v ote s
up on any p rop o s iti on com i ng b e fo r e th e senat e a s w e r e cou nt ed
fo r h i m at th e p o l l s
I n l im iti n g t h e ent i re pol it i cal act iv i ty o f th e qu a l i fi e d e l ecto r
o f a stat e to ca st ing h i s vot e fo r o n e can di d at e f o r a s i ngl e
o ffi ce i t i s cont emp l ate d th at th e p erfectl y rep res entati v e sen at e
whi ch resu lt s w i l l enact al l stat ute l aw s an d w i l l de signat e t h e
gov ern o r o f t h e st at e Th at is to say th e s y ste m wh i ch h a s
b een evol ved fo r con du cti ng th e gov ernm ent i n th e Un ite d Ki n g
A s i n th e ca Se o f t h e p rim e m i n i ste r
do m w i l l b e fol lo w ed
wh o i s de sign ate d a s su ch by t h e maj ori ty o f th e B r it i sh P a rl i a
,
.
.
'
‘
,
.
.
,
,
.
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
:
'
.
,
,
,
.
.
.
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
.
,
v
,
.
,
,
.
,
.
,
,
.
,
.
.
.
,
,
S H O RT B ALLO T
54
m ent th e go ve rno r s o cho sen w o u l d appo in t th e oth e r p ri nc ipa l
-gen e ra l
s tate o fic ers
su
ch
a
s
se c reta ry o f st at e
atto
rn
ey
a
nd
f
gen era l t rea s urer a n d th e se wou l d n am e th ei r s ubo rdi nat e s a s
p rov id e d by a ci v i l s e rv ic e l a w I t i s p er fectl y sa fe t o a s sum e
that su c h a state s en ate w ou l d b e so ab l e a n d s o rep resentat ive
a s to sel ect o ffi ci al s an d e n act l aw s o f a v e ry h igh qual ity
T h e abov e o u tl i n e o f a st at e gove rn m ent i f co rrect i n th eo ry
w i l l i n th e en d h e app l ied al so t o th e nati on al govern m ent an d
t o m un i cipal gove rn m en t S o th a t ev en tual ly a c it i z en o f th e
U n ite d S tate s w i l l b e c al l e d up on t o v ote fo r th re e offi ci al s on l y
na m el y h i s rep re sen tat i ves i n th e st at e l egi sl atu re i n th e n a
tio n al l egi s l atu r e an d i n th e m u n i c ip al l egi sl at u re— th e resp ect i v e
l egi slatu re s to do th e re st i n th ei r s e v eral sph e re s
M an i fe stl y th e se el ect ion s s ho u l d b e s epa rate a n d ap a rt fro m
each oth e r Th e n at i ona l el ect ion a s now mi ght b e h el d i n
N ov emb e r o f th e even yea r s ; th e stat e el ect i on s in Nov emb e r o f
th e o dd n u m be re d yea r s ; th e m u n ic ip a l el ect i on s an n u al ly i n
D ec emb e r o r i n th e sp ri n g
I f u n de r th e s e con d iti o ns th e sho rte st bal lot i mpo s ing so
si mp l e a duty upon each c i ti z en t h e p eopl e o f th e Un it ed St ate s
c ou l d no t p rovi d e th em sel ve s w i th s at i s facto ry governm en t th en
m u st i t n ot b e a dm i tted t h a t w e a r e i nh e rentl y in c apabl e o f
gov e rn i n g o u r se l ves ? B u t si n ce w e h av e wo r ri ed al on g som e
h o w u n d e r ext rem el y comp l i cat ed an d d e fect i v e m achi ne ry o f
e l ecti on s th e re can b e n o qu e st ion o f s ucc e s s w ith th e bette r
syst em in v ogu e
,
‘
,
,
,
.
,
.
.
.
,
,
'
.
,
,
,
,
,
.
.
,
,
,
.
‘
,
,
,
,
.
E q u i t y S e r i es
Sh o rt Ba l lot
-8 .
.
—Wh at
J an uar y
,
1
91 3
I t I s — Its P rog re s s to D at e
T h e re i s on e con di t i on i n Ame rican pol it ic s wh i ch e verybody
n o w recogn iz e s as an ev i l T h e A m er i can vot e r i n ev e ry state
i n n ea rly e ve ry coun ty an d i n mos t ci t i e s i s b u rd en ed w i th a
t a sk wh i ch h e h as p ro ven hi m sel f u n ab l e to p e r fo rm —
th e sel ec
t ion o f a va st h o st o f offi c ia l s by bal l ot I n ou r exces s o f enth u
s ia sm
ov e r d em oc racy w e h av e fo r g otten t h at th e eve ry -d ay
ci t i z en canno t b e a n up-to -d at e l oo s e -l ea f encyc l oped i a o n th e
qual i fi cati on s a nd h i sto ry o f eve ry can d i date fo r eve ry offi ce
wh ich o u r sy st em make s el ect i v e Th i s i s n oth i n g to th e d i s
.
,
'
,
.
,
.
,
,
.
~
S H ORT BALL OT
55
c redi t o f th e vot e r h i ms e l f ; h e ha s more vi ta l p rob l em s to
se tt l e t h an who th e co rone r shou l d be or wh o w i l l fi l e a w ay
th e reco rd s o f r ea l e stat e t ran s f e rs at th e co unty co u rt ho u se
P ol it i cal sci ent i st s u nt i l rece nt ly hav e p ra c tica l l y all set d ow n
th i s fact a s a n i nc u rab l e m al ady New s p ap e r e dito rs hav e t ak en
occa s ion a fte r each el ecti on to po i n t ou t th e i mbeci l ity of th e
vote r t ry in g to ma st e r a ba l l ot o f p e rh ap s h u nd r ed s o f n ame s
an d h ave th en l ap s e d i nto si l enc e o n th e subj ect u nt i l th e n ext
el ect ion La wyer s an d ba r a ssoc i ati on s h av e regu la r l y dep l o red
th e n ec es si ty f o r d ragging th e j u dge s o n to th e p ol iti ca l stu mp
A n d th e p l ai n c i ti z en s who h ave h ad to ma ste r th es e blank et -l ik e
b al lot s hav e gon e aw ay f ro m t h e pol l s d i sgu ste d an d d i sg ru nt l ed
Al l th e wh i l e th e p ro fe ss iona l pol it i ci an s hav e b een ru nn i ng th e
gove rn ment not a l way s o r p erh ap s so v ery o ften any w o r se tha n
th e p eop l e wo u l d h av e don e i t b ut a lw ay s t hr u a n unoffi ci al
i r re spon s ib l e s econ d o rga n iz at i on G ov e rn m ent by th e p eo p le i n
ev e ry rea l sen s e in —so - fa r a s th ei r cont rol ove r th e va st p rop o r
t ion o f th e o ffi c er s i s con cern ed v e ry la rgely cea sed. Th e re wa s
a p seu do-p op u l a r ru l e to be s u re wh i ch i s typ i fi e d by t he p a rty
co lu mn bal lot Th eoret i cal ly th e vote r co u l d s el ect fo rty fi fty
o r even s i xty offi ce rs W h at ac tua lly happ en e d i n mo st ca se s
w a s th a t t he v ote r p u t h i s c ro s s i n t h e p arty c irc l e an d l et i t
go at that Vot in g th e st r ai gh t t icket w a s so si mp l e " An d so
decepti ve " T h e vote r w ith j u st t w o st roke s o f h i s p enci l signed
away hi s civ i c b i rth r ight to on e or anoth er o f t h e pa rty o rga n i
,
.
’
.
.
,
.
'
.
.
'
,
,
,
.
.
,
,
'
,
,
.
,
,
,
,
.
‘
.
,
i
z at o ns .
D i rect
p ri ma ri e s w e r e exp ected to a ff o r d a rel i ef bu t th ey
h ave p roven a d i s appo i ntmen t b ec au se th ey h av e no t mad e p o l i
t i c s si mp ler b ut more comp l ex It i s n ot t ha t th e p ri n cip l e o f
d i r ectn ess i s
ron g b ut that di rectn e s s cannot b e an a ss u re d
bene fi t w ithou t a dequat e k now l edg e
Al ong ca m e th e S hort B a l l ot movem ent a l ittl e ov e r t w o
yea r s ago i n an e ff o rt to b ri ng t h e e d ito r s th e p ro fes so rs th e
la wye rs th e p l ai n c itiz en s a n d th e p ol i t ic ian s f ac e to f ace w i th
th e p rob l e m an d to sol v e it in t h e i nte rest s o f eff ect i v e an d in
t el l ig ent cit i z en sh ip
T h e f r ien d s o f th e S ho rt B al lot i dea b egan by su mma ri z i ng
the evi l o f th e long b al l ot i n th es e wo r ds :
“
I t s ub m it s to p opu l a r el e ction offi ce s wh ich a re to o
F i rs t :
u n impo rtant to att ract ( o r d e ser v e ) pub lic a ttenti on ; an d
,
,
w
.
,
.
,
,
,
,
.
,
56
S H O RT B A LLO T
S ec on d :
“
I t su bm it s to p o pul a r el ect i on so m any offi ce s a t
on e t i me th at m any o f th em a re i n ev itab ly c row de d o u t fro m
p rop er p ub l ic attent io n ; an d
“
Th i r d :
I t submi t s to p op u l a r el ecti on so many o ffi c e s a t
on e t i m e a s t o m ak e th e b u sin e s s o f t i cket -m ak i n g to o i nt ri cat e
fo r pop u la r pa rt i cip at i on w h e
reup on s om e so rt o f p r i vat e po l it
i ca l m ach i n e b ecome s a n i n d i sp en sabl e i n st ru m ent i n el ecto ra l
”
act io n
I f th i s an a ly si s i s t ru e i t i s cl ea r that t h e av erage vot e r h a s
p ractical ly n o rea l ch anc e to re g i ste r h i s op in i on o n p ubl ic a ffai rs
th ru th e ch o i c e o f o ffi c i al s w i th th e e xceed ingl y impo rt an t ex c ep
t ion o f a v e ry few con sp i cuo u s offi cer s wh o stan d o ut fro m th e
oth e r s b ec au s e o f th e i r g reat p o w e r or i n fl u ence an d th e i n ter
e st ing un d e r stan dabl e natu r e o f t h ei r fu n cti on s T h e great
m aj o rity o f o ffi cer s el ect ed by ba l lot a re n o w d ra wi n g s al a ri e s
b ecau s e th e h ea d o f th e t icket h as c a rri e d th e tai l Th e m ino r
offi c er s on th e b i g ba l l ot th o se wh o p e r fo rm c leri cal adm in i
r e l i ke th e stow aw ay s o n a n ocean
s t rativ e an d t ech n i cal d u t i es a
l i ne r ; th ey sl ip o n boa r d u nnot i ced ; th ey s u cce s s f u l ly concea l
th em s el ve s d u ri ng th e v oyage ; t h ey a r r i v e a t th ei r d e sti n at ion
w ithou t g i v ing an accou n t o f th em sel ve s ; Th i s i s why gov e r
n o r s m ayo r s an d oth e r ch i e f e x ec u t i ve s a re n ea rly al way s at
l ea st p re sen tabl e m en wh i l e th e m in o r offi ce r s a re v e ry often a
ve ry in fe ri o r typ e o f p o l iti cal j o b s ter s
"
,
.
,
~
,
,
.
,
‘
.
,
,
,
,
.
,
.
Th e S h o r t B al l o t P r in cipl e
O nce th e d i ffi c u lty w i th th e b a l l ot i s recogn i z ed i n th i s way
th e rem ed y formu l at es i t sel f i n th e p rinc ip l e o f th e S h o rt B a l l ot
wh i ch i s d e fi n ed a s f ol l o w s :
“
F irs t :
T h at only t ho se o ffi ce s shou l d b e el ecti v e wh i ch a re
i mpo rtant en ou gh to att ract ( a nd d e se rve ) p u bl i c ex am in at i on
“
S ec o n d : T h at ve ry few o ffi c e s sh ou l d be fi l l ed by el ect i on
at on e t i m e so a s to pe rm i t adequ ate an d u ncon f u se d p u bl ic
ex am i n ati on o f th e cand i d at e s an d s o a s t o f aci l itat e th e f re e
an d i nt el l igent mak in g o f o ri gina l t icket s by an y vot er fo r hi m
”
sel f una i d ed by pol it ic al sp ec i al i st s
T h i s p r in c ipl o i s at th e ba si s o f d emoc racy in th e c i t i e s o f
G reat B ri ta i n an d th e c i t i e s i n t h i s c ou nt ry w h ich h ave a dopted
th e s o -ca l l ed c omm i s si o n fo rm o f gov e rn men t
I t i s th e h op e o f t ho se w h o a re l ead i n g t h e Sho rt B al l ot
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
.
S H O RT B ALL OT
58
Th e Firs t F r u its
I t w a s i n Ca l i f o rn i a th a t th e p re sen t S ho rt B al l ot mo ve
ment t wo yea rs ago fi r st took root T h ank s to G ove rno r H i ram
W John son w ho ad voc at e d th e i d ea i n h i s mes sage s an d p ub l ic
ad d re sse s an d to oth e r en l ight en e d p ubl i c l ead er s th e l egi sl atu r e
i n 1 91 1 subm itte d to t h e p eop l e fou r S h o rt B al l ot m ea su re s O n e
w a s a con sti tut ion al am en dment w h ic h resu l ted i n remov i ng t h e
c l e rk o f th e sup r em e cou rt f rom th e ba l lot an d gett ing h i m
u n d e r th e cont ro l o f th e s up r em e cou rt B y stat ut e th e st ate
p ri nt e r w a s m ad e a n app o int ee o f t h e gov e rno r A n oth e r co n
ra i l ro a d
s tit utio n a l am en dm ent v este d th e appo in tmen t o f th e
com m i s si on e r s i n th e go ve rno r
T hu s a begin n i n g wa s mad e
towa rd remol d i ng th e ad mi n i st rat i on o f th e state d epa rtment s
into a compact u n i fi ed o rgan i z at ion u n d e r th e go ve rno r Li ke
w i se a co unty hom e - ru l e am en dm ent w a s p a ss ed an d l ater
a dop te d by th e p eop l e wh ic h m ad e i t p o s s ibl e fo r i n d i vi d u al
cou nti e s to sh o rten th ei r l oca l b al lot i n accordance w it h loca l
con d it i on s
I n Oh i o th e con sti tu ti ona l con v en tion w h ich met i n Jan u
a ry 1 91 2 d ebat e d b u t u l t i mat el y rej ect ed by a rath e r sma l l
m a rgi n a m ea s u re w h i ch w ou l d hav e m ad e th e p ri nc ip al a d m in i
s tr ativ e o ffi ce rs o f th e
state appo int iv e by th e gov ern or t h u s
g reatl y s h o rten i ng th e eno rmou s O h i o b al l ot ah d g i v in g that
state a s en s ibl e fo rm o f adm i n i st rati on
S uch a m ea s u re w i l l
dou btl e s s b e subm itt e d t o t h e p eop l e agai n : th i s t i me by the
l egi sl at u re
.
,
,
.
,
,
,
'
.
,
.
.
.
,
.
,
,
,
,
.
.
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
_
.
Th e S h o r t B a ll o t Ci ties
T h e most pop u l a r appl ic ati on o f th e S h o rt Ba l lot p r inc ipl e o f
cou r se i s t o b e fo u n d i n th e s o -ca l l e d comm i ss i on p l an o f c ity
gov e rnm ent wh ich h a s no w becom e a ve ry fam i li a r typ e th ru out
A m e ri c a
T h e comm i ss ion p l an i n m any in stan ce s to b e su r e
i n vol v e s o n e o r a l l o f s ev e ra l ot h er f eatu res i nc l u d in g el ect io n
a t la rge t h e non-pa rt i zan bal lot a nd th e i n it i at i ve re feren du m
a n d reca l l B u t th e on ly feat u re s h el d i n com mo n by a l l co m
m i s s io n -go ve rn ed c it ie s. a r e e lect i on at la rge and th e S ho rt B al lot
I t i s beyon d qu est ion th en th at t h e rel at i v e s ucce s s o f th i s p l an
ove r th e ol d e r a n d mo re u su a l typ e o f ci ty gove rn men t i s i n v e ry
g reat m ea su re du e t o th e p re sen ce o f Sh o rt Bal l ot cond it i on s
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
.
,
,
.
.
S H OR T B ALL O T
59
A n eces sa ry con se qu enc e o f th e S ho rt B a l l ot that i s th e ri gh t
s ort o f S ho rt B a l lot i s that th e a dm i n i st rat i on i s u n i fi e d an d
b roug ht u nd e r th e a utho ri ty o f a re spon sibl e h ea d I t i s th i s
p erh ap s m ore th an anyth in g e l se w h ic h mak e s comm i s s ion go v
er n m en t so s up eri o r t o th e mayo r -a n d c o u nc il p lan
w h i ch ha s
been i n vogu e i n mo st o f ou r oth e r c i t i e s u nt i l recently E ve n
more st r ik i ngly th an i n th e u s ual comm i s s ion pl an th e i de a o f
un i fi cat ion i s brough t out i n th e S umter o r Lockpo rt c ity man
age r p lan by wh i c h th e rout i ne a dm i n i st rat ion o f th e c i ty i s
b rough t u n d e r th e con t ro l o f a si ngl e app oi nt i v e exp e rt w ho i n
tu rn i s re spon s ibl e to t h e rep re s ent ati ve el ect i v e body the c ity
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
~
,
‘
.
,
,
,
,
c o un c fl
.
T h e s u cce s s -o f al l ad mi n i st rat i v e b o d ie s i n a l l t i me s h a s
requ i r ed som e s uch u n i fi cat ion a n d resp on s ib l e h ead sh ip Mo re
tha n eve r th es e con si d erat i on s take on weight i n th i s day o f
“
”
sc i en t i fi c e ffi ci en cy p r in c ip l es Stan da rd i z at ion wh i ch i s at th e
root o f e ffi ci ency an d econom y i n o rgan i z ati on c an onl y b e
b rough t abou t w h ere th er e i s a real h ead who can i n si s t o n h i s
( o r th eir ) i n stru ct ion s b ei ng ca rri ed o ut Thi s p rin cip l e o f
cou rse hold s good fo r th e state s an d count i e s j u st a s it doe s fo r
ci ti es
U p t o date abo u t 2 1 0 c it i e s th ruou t th e cou nt ry hav e a dopted
commi s sio n go ve rn ment an d so far n on e h a s s erio u sly con
1
Not th at th e comm i s s ion p lan
s ider ed a ret urn t o th e ol d p l an
i s an i d eal typ e o f ci ty gov ern ment by any m ean s ; b ut i t h a s
show n in dub i t ab ly th e cap ac ity o f Am e ri ca n cit i z en s to act w i se ly
an d eff ect i v el y w h en th e con d i t ion s o f c it i z en sh ip a re r ed uce d to
a poi nt w h ere th e av erag e v ote r ca n i n v e stigat e an d r em emb e r
the qu al i fi catio n s o f h i s r ep resentat i ves: i n offi c e T h e vote rs in
c omm i s s ion gove rn e d ci t i e s do no t n ee d t h e a s si st anc e o f a bo s s
T h at f un ct iona ry s occ up at ion i s gon e
T h e gro wth o f comm i ss i on gov e rn ment h as: been faci l it ated
by opt iona l state -w i d e l a w s b y wh i ch ci ti e s may adop t th e co m
m is si o n form by re feren du m vot e S u ch l aw s a re on t h e statut e
book s o f Al ab am a C al i fo rn i a I daho I l l inoi s Io wa Kan sa s
Kentucky Lo u i s i an a M i s si s si pp i M ont an a N eb ra sk a N ew J e r
sey No rth D akota S outh D akota Wa sh i ngton Wi scon si n an d
.
,
.
,
,
,
,
'
.
,
,
,
.
,
.
_
.
“
.
’
.
'
.
,
,
,
,
,
,
A ttem p ts i n th e p as t y ea r h av e b een r n ade
fo r c e a c i t y to r ev er t t o i ts o l d f o r m o f g o v er n m en t
m so n K an ; B a er , O r e , a n d S p o an e, W as h ) th e
1
'
,
.
k
.
k
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
.
b y l o c al
p o l it ic ia n s
In eac h c a s e (
e ff o r t fa i l e d
.
to
H u tc h
60
S H O RT B ALL O T
“
W yom in g
“
”
T h i s l i st doe s no t i n cl u d e a l l th e hom e ru l e state s
A mong th e stat e s w h i ch ea rn e stl y d e s i re s u ch l aw s a re Ne w
Yo rk O h i o M i s so u ri Vi rgi n i a P enn sy l van i a an d I n d i an a
-
.
.
,
,
,
Th e
.
,
Wi der Org a niz ed
M
o v em en t
T h e sp re ad o f th e S ho rt B al l ot both in it s app l i cati on to th e
com m i s si on p l an an d i t s w i d e r s ign i fi can ce h a s b een d u e i n l a rge
p a rt to th e o rgan i z e d e ffo rt s of T h e N at i o na l S hort B a l lot
Organ i zat ion I t i s: n o t an exagge rat i on to say th at p racti cal ly
eve ry i n d ep en d ent n e w sp ap e r an d m aga z i n e i n th e Un it ed S tate s
n ot on ly f a vo rs th e S h o rt B al l ot b ut a t o n e ti m e o r an oth e r h a s
s ai d so i n an e ff ect i v e way th ru i t s ed i to ri a l col u mn s Fu l l y o ne
h u n dre d p ro f e s so r s o f p ol i ti ca l sci enc e i n A me ri can col l ege s ar e
‘
teach ing t h e S h o rt B al l ot p ri nc ip l e by me an s o f th e pamp h let s
p ub l i s h ed by thi s o rgan i zat ion
Th e th eory h a s gai n ed p ract i c al l y u n i v ersa l acceptance I t
rema in s fo r th e th eo ry to b e t ran sm ut e d i nto d e fi n it e l e gi sl at i ve
m ea s u re s T h i s o f c ou r se can on l y b e don e by ci t i z en s w h o
a re th o ro ly fam i l ia r w ith th e l oc a l con d it ion s wh i ch th e y in ten d
t o me et
I t ha s been s how n abov e h o w i n stat e gov e rn ment th e i d ea
w o u l d b e appl i ed acco rd i ng to th e p rogram s la i d o ut i n Oh io an d
C al i fo rn i a Fol l ow i ng c l o se l y th e l in e s l a i d do w n i n th e s e stat e s
t h e Ch icago C ity C l ub s co mm ittee o n th e S h o rt B a l l ot ( M r E
H Ca s sel s ch a i rman T h e Rooke ry Ch i cago ) h a s p repa red a
p rog ram f o r I l l i noi s
T h e S h o rt B al lot O rgan i z at io n i n Ne w
Yo rk state h a s been c on duct ing a campa ign a l o n g sim il a r l i n es
S o f a r a s th e stat e a d mi n i st rat ion i s con ce rne d th e way to
th e app l icat ion o f th e S hor t B al l ot i d ea se em s fai rly c l ea r I t i s
s i mp ly a c a se o f p u tti ng th e m i no r state a d mi n i st rat i ve offi ci al s
d i rectl y u n d e r th e cont ro l o f th e gove rn o r T h e i r appointmen t
sho ul d not b e mad e s ubj ect t o th e con fi rmat ion o f th e s en at e o r
e l s e T h e gov e rn o r sh o u l d b e h el d re sp on si bl e ; h e
a nybody
sh ou l d b e m a d e t o stan d o r fal l by h i s record O f cou rse th e
t im e w i l l come w h en more rad ic al m ea su res m ay b e p rop o sed ;
such p e rhap s a s th e o n e voted o n i n O rego n at t h e Novembe r
e l ect ion wh i ch w i l l p rov i d e fo r a stat e l egi sl at u re o f on ly o ne
h o u se th e memb e r s o f w h i ch w i l l be ch o s en by a syst em o f p ro
p o rt ion a l rep re sent at i on A n d h e re i t m ay be rema rk ed i n
pa renth esi s t ha t th i s sy st em po int s th e w ay t o wa rd a S ho rt
,
,
.
,
.
.
.
.
,
,
.
,
,
-
,
.
’
.
.
,
,
,
.
,
.
fl
.
,
.
.
.
.
.
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
S H O R T B ALL O T
61
Bal l ot wh e reve r a n u mb e r o f p u rel y p ol i t ica l o ffi ce rs having
p rec i s ely th e sam e f u ncti on s are cho s en from th e s am e d i st ri ct
,
,
,
.
S h o r t B a ll o t C o u n ties
In co unty gove rn m en t th e w ay to th e S h ort B a l l ot i s l e s s
obv io u s Cal i fo rn ia w i l l p rov e an e xp e rimen t stat ion i n th i s
subj ect b ecau se o f th e oppo rtu n i ti e s o ffe red i n th e cou nty h om e
ru l e amen dm en t re f e r red to above I n on e cou nty ( Lo s A n
gel es ) w h ich h a s j u st ava i l e d i t sel f o f th e p ri vi l ege o f d ra ft i ng
an d a dop t in g a ch a rt e r a m o st i n te rest i n g appl icat ion o f th e
Sh o rt B a l lot i dea h a s b een w orke d o ut Un de r th e pl an em
bod i ed i n th i s docu men t mo st o f th e el ect i v e offi cer s o f th e
cou nty wou l d b ecom e appoi ntee s o f th e cou nty bo ard o f s upe r
vi so r s subj ect to ci v i l se rvi c e exam i n at ion an d h o l d offi c e d u ri ng
th e p l ea su re o f th e bo a rd o f s up e rv i so rs Th e sh e ri ff a n d d i s
t riet atto rn ey a re r eta in e d o n th e el ect i v e l i st b ec au s e th e y a re
st at e j u d i ci al o ffi ce rs "M any i nte rest in g f eat u re s app ea r i n th i s
ch a rt e r i nc l u d ing th e p rov i si on fo r th e app oi n tm en t o f c on
st abl e s by th e sh e r i ff th u s p rov i d i n g a u n i fi e d c on st abu l a ry
sy stem i n st ea d o f th e t w o w arri n g s et s o f p eac e o ffi cer s un de r
th e o l d stat e la w
T h e p eop le o f Lo s Angel e s a dopt ed th i s
in st ru ment o n N ovemb er sth
T h r u th eory an d exp eri men t a w ay w i l l b e f ou n d t o app ly
th e p ri ncip l e o f s i mp l i fi cat ion to ev e ry u n i t o f go vernm ent
.
,
.
,
.
,
,
,
.
.
,
,
”
.
.
,
.
R es po ns ib i li ty
o
f
th e P a r ties
J u st at p resen t o n e o f th e mo st en cou ragi ng fea t u res i n rec en t
month s i s th e supp o rt o f th e p a rty o rgan i z at i on s i n m any o f th e
states A rev i e w o f th e stat e p l at fo rm s o f th e va ri ou s pa rt i es.
sho w s th at i n O h i o an d I l l i noi s al l th re e l ea di n g p a rt ie s f avor
th e S hort B al lot i dea In each o f th e st at e s o f Col o ra do I o w a
Neb ra sk a N e w Yo rk M i s sou ri P en n syl van i a an d U tah o n e o r
mo re o f th e p l at form s favo r recommen d o r dema n d it In
a d d it i on t o th e p l at fo rm exp re s si on th e th r e e l ead i ng p res i
d ent i a l c an di dates th i s yea r h av e g ive n the i r supp ort P re s i
dent -el ect W i l son ha s b een p re s i den t of T h e N at i ona l S hort
B al lot O rgan i zati on si nc e it s beginn in g M r Roo sev el t v igo r
o u s l y p r each e d th e i dea i n h i s s p eech b e f o re th e con stit uti on a l
co nv ent ion at Col u mbu s M r T a ft re ferre d to i t v e ry k i n dl y
i n h i s sp eech o f accep tanc e o f th e R epubl i can nomi nat ion
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
.
.
.
.
_
‘
.
62
S H O R T B A LL O T
.
T h e p eop l e t h i s yea r exp ect th e se p l at fo r m p rom i ses t o b e
taken s e ri ou sl y T h e S ho rt B al l ot i d ea i s a ve ry d e fi n itely
un de r stood th i n g I t is n o t a devic e to s av e paper b u t to c a n
.
.
s erv e ci tiz ens h i
p
,
I
Th e Nat ion a l S ho rt B al lot O rgan i z at i on m ainta i n s an offi ce
at 38 3 Fou rth A v en u e Ne w Yo rk Ci ty fo r th e exp res s p u rpo se
o f h elp ing any an d every c it iz en who i s i nt e re ste d i n any ph a se
o f th e qu e st i on I t w el come s e v e ry oppo rtu n ity to p l ac e it s
l it e ratu re i n th e h an d s o f s uch p er son s a n d to gi v e more speci al
a s si st an c e I t doe s n ot p ro fi t -fi n an c ial ly i n any o f it s ente rp r i ses
,
,
.
,
.
.
S TATE GOVERNMENT
E q u i t y S e r i es
.
1
5
2 1 00-2 .
Ap r i l
,
1
91 3
Futu re Stat e G ove rnm en t
Th e c ity the stat e th e n ati on ; o r th e n at ion th e st at e th e
city Con s i de r t h e se th re e entit i e s i n ei th e r of? th e abov e rot a
t i on s or both rotat i on s Unti l recen t yea rs o ur most c o n sp ic u
ou s fa i l u r e i n gov ern ment w as i n c i ty go ve rn men t Th e ma r
v el on s gro wth o f c i t i e s th e conc ent rati on o f w eal th i n ci ti e s
emph as iz e d th e c ru d ity o f ou r p l a n o f c ity gove rnm ent an d
rev ea l ed m any tempt in g p ri z e s to th e s ch em i ng g ra fte r H e w a s
s u rp ri s ed at th ei r richn e s s an d th e ease by wh i ch h e cou l d get
them G reat s c an dal si i n ev itab ly f ol lowed D u ri n g recen t year s
m uch o f th e b e st tal en t i n ou r cou nt ry ha s b een devot ed to th e
sci ence o f m un i cip a l gov ern ment an d t h e co r rupt io n o f th e pa st
ha s been g reatly re du ce d an d i t i s n o w rap i dl y d i sapp ea ri n g Th e
r i s e an d p h enom en a l sp re ad o f th e com mi s si on gov ernm en t p l an
car rying w ith i t th e local app l i cat ion o f th e i n i tiat i ve re f e ren du m
an d recal l i s a v ery i mp o rt an t p a r t o f an d c au s e o f t h e great
i mp rov em en t w e h ave se en i n m un icip al gover n m ent du ri n g
th e pa st few year s
T h e comm i s si on p l an i s a v e ry g reat i mp rovem en t o n th e o l d
p lan o f mu n i cipal gove rn m en t B u t i t i s n ot y et p erfect Real
iz in g th e i mp o rtan ce o f pla ns a n d m eth o ds th e b e st t al ent i s
no w b ei ng d evoted t o i mp rov ing an d p er fect ing wh at h as p rov en
”
“
to be a good p l an
T h e c ry i s n o l onge r el ect b ett er m en b u t
,
,
,
,
.
.
,
.
,
,
,
.
.
.
,
.
,
,
,
.
.
.
,
.
,
.
fi n d th e b es t pl an
.
Th i s m aga z in e i s d evote d to p l a ns a n d m etho d s o f gov e rn
ment ; so i t i s not st range th at th e ea rl i e st ob s ervation s o f th e
fau lty cha racte r o f ou r p re sen t p lan o f s ta te gove rn ment an d
su gge stion s fo r i t s i mp rov emen t h av e h ad th ei r fi rst e xp re s si on
i n th e s e col u m n s O u r stat e s a re a l l gove rne d on th e sam e
gen era l p l an o f ou r nat ion al gove rn ment : a ch i e f ex ecut i v e ; a
l e gi sl ati v e b ranch con s i stin g o f t wo h o u se s ; th e upp er hou se
p resid ed ov e r by th e v i ce ch i e f ex ecut i v e ( v i ce -p re s i d en t l i eu
ten ant governo r ) ; a s u prem e cou r t It w ou l d h av e bee n b e tt er
:
,
.
,
.
64
S H O RT B A LL O T
i f th e st at e s ha d cop i ed th e appoi nt i v e cabi n et al so i n st ead o f
makin g th e state o ffi ce r s el ect i v e
Th i s ye a r is see i ng 40 state l egi sl atu re s i n se s s ion fro m
to
b i l l s i nt rod uce d i n each an d so m e o f th e se ss ion s
l i m it ed to 60 day s M ost l egi s lat u re s con si st ch i efl y o f c ru d e
m at e ri al a n d h e re t h e pol it i ca l exp e rt— th e expe rt n ot i n th e
b e st sen se o f t h e te rm — fi nd s h i s opp o rtun i ty I n mo st state s
c iti e s a re h e l d i n c l os e bon dage to th e l eg i sl atu re a n d th i s l i nk s
th e c ity co r rup ti on i st t o th e l egi sl atu re an d state gove rn m ent
Th i s u n i o n i s an ev i l to both th e c it i e s o n on e s i d e an d th e
st at e gove rn ment on t h e oth e r
S om e yea rs: ag o a s soon a s th e s uc ce s s o f th e c omm i s s i on
pl an o f c ity gov e rn men t w a s d emon st rated t h i s m aga z in e sug
ge st ed som e s i m i l a r p l a n fo r st ate go ve rn m ent a n d w e h av e
r eite rated th i s i d ea f rom t im e to t i m e W e h ave b een gl a d to s e e
“
”
th e i dea t ak e root h e re an d th ere an d w e p red ic t t ha t i t wil l
s oon b eco m e w i de sp read Un fo rtun atel y w e hav e n o t yet a r e
mo de le d st at e gov ernmen t to p oi n t t o a s an ex amp l e bu t w e
h av e a su ffi ci en t th eo ret i cal b a si s fo r th e p rese n t a nd th at b as i s
i s be com i n g fi rm e r a n d m o re p e rfect as m u n icipal it i e s a re p e r
fec tin g th e comm i ssi o n p l an an d p ro v i ng it s wo rth
T h e n e w mo del o f state gove rn m en t w i l l com e n ot t h ru
con st itut ional chan ge s suggested an d s ub m i tt e d by l egi sl at u re s
fo r w e cannot exp ect l egi slat u re s to com m it su i c i d e I t w i ll
com e by way o f st at e con stitu ti ona l con ven tion s M any stat es
a re no w con temp l at in g con st itut i on al con venti on s b u t they do
n ot kn o w t h at th ey a re faci n g the consi d e rat i on o f rad i cal
ch ange s i n stat e gove rnment W e hop e t h at th e se co nven t ion s
w i l l not com e t oo soon n o r to o rap i dl y fo r m un i cip a l gove rn
m ent h a s n ot yet been d evel op ed t o th e d egree o f p e r fect i on th at
w o u l d p re sen t a s uffi c i entl y goo d mo de l fo r th e i n ev i tabl e state
go v e rnm ent o f th e futu re
H o w eve r i t d oe s n ot req u i re a p roph et o f m u ch i n s ight i nto
th e fu tu re to st ate th e fol low i ng : T he s tat e go vernm en t o f
“
t h e fu tu re w i l l n o t con si s t o f th re e i n d epend ent b ranch es ex ec u
”
t i v e l egi sl ati v e an d j u d i c i a l
T h i s g ray an d g ri z z l y h eap an d
th e p o w e rs o f th e f utu re state gov e rn m en t w i l l b e cl o sel y a nd
o rgan ic al l y u n ited w ith n o d i vi d e d an d sh i ft in g re spon sibi l i t i e s
T h i s i s p roph esy No I a n d p e rh ap s mo s t i mpo rta nt b ec au s e so
comp reh en s iv e
P roph e sy N o 2 i s that th e l egi sl at i ve f unct i on s o f th e stat e
,
.
,
,
.
,
.
,
,
.
,
.
,
,
,
.
,
.
,
,
,
'
,
.
,
,
.
.
,
.
,
.
,
,
.
,
,
.
,
.
,
.
.
,
,
66
S H O RT B ALLO T
a wo rl d -w i de ch oi c e i n s el ect in g sp ec ial i z ed tal ent fo r th e serv ic e
?
Th e j u d i ci a ry w i l l p robab l y be appo int i ve an d no t
o f th e stat e
“
”
sepa rate d i st i nct an d i n depen d ent o f eve rybody el s e I t w i l l
be an i n t im at e an d v ital p a rt o f th e st at e gove rnm ent an d l ike
a l l othe r p a rt s o f the p u bl i c s e rv i ce i t wi l l b e s ubj ect to th e
d om in ant w i l l
M un i ci p al an d cou nty gove rn men t w i l l g row i n s cop e im po r
t an ce an d i n d ep en dence th u s c utting o ff m uc h w i th w h ich the
stat e gove rn ment n o w d eal s b u t th e sep a rat i on w i l l b en e fi t both
t h e state a n d t h e l ocal i ti e s D u ring f ut u re yea rs th e n at i ona l
gov e rn men t i s s u r e to en c roa ch up on p re sen t stat e fu nct ion s
Th u s th e state w i l l appa rentl y sh rin k bet w e en t wo g row i ng
fo rc e s ; b ut th e sh rink i ng w i l l on ly b e appa ren t D i ffe renti at i on s
b et ween th e sph e re s app rop ri at e fo r each w i l l g ro w cl ea re r a s
ti m e s goe s o n an d th e re su l t w i l l b e th e be st s erv ic e to th e i nd i
v i du al i n h is va r io u s rel at i on s
I d i d n ot exp ect to s ay so mu ch a t th e p re sent t i m e No r
do I ex p ec t to se e my d ream r eal iz ed w it h u n d u e h a st e n o r
i n p e r fecti on w ith o u t lon g ted i ou s an d po s si bly p ai n fu l ex per i
en c e T h e re i s a v agu e f eel i ng i n th e p op u l a r m i n d that th e
p re sen t stat e con st it ut ion s a r e n o t r igh té a n tiq u ated T h e re i s
s ent i men t in m an y state s fo r con st itu t i on a l c on vent i on s
Th e
e vol u ti on abo ve v entu r ed w i l l com e by w ay o f state c o n stit u
I n d iana ha s on e o f th e m o st ant iquated con
t io n al con vent ion s
In Nov emb e r 1 91 4 t h e vote rs w i l l d ec i d e th e qu e s
s titutio n s
t i on o f c al l in g a con stit ut i on a l con v ent i on
P en n sy l v ani a may
po s si bly vote on th e same qu esti on i n Nov emb e r 1 91 3 Con sti
tu tio n al con vent i o n s a re pos si bl e i n th e n ea r f ut u re i n New
Jersey N ew Yo rk I l l i noi s an d po ss i bly som e oth e r state s T h e
w ri te r h op es th ey w i l l not com e to o fa st
,
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
.
.
.
,
.
.
'
,
,
.
.
.
.
.
.
,
,
.
,
.
'
.
,
.
,
.
T h e S t a t e of K a n s a s , G o v er n o r
’
s
O ffi c e
T op eka M a rch
,
1 0,
1
91 3
.
f th e S ta te o f K a ns as :
A s th e l egi sl at i ve d uti e s o f th e Legi sl at u re o f 1 9 1 3 d ra w
to a clo se I d e si re to cong ratu l at e t h e membe r s o f both
b ran ch e s o n th e m agn i fi cen t wo rk w h i ch t hey h av e accom pl i sh ed
I bel i ev e th at I a m j u s ti fi ed in say in g that y o u ha ve w o rked
h ard er a nd accom pl i sh ed mo re than any l e gi sl at u re i n r ec en t
T O th e L eg is l a ture
o
‘
,
.
-
S H O RT B A LL O T
67
yea rs A l mo st ev e ry pl edge you m ade to th e p eopl e l a st yea r
ha s been fulfi l l ed
B ut I a m conv i nce d that th i s m a gn i fi cen t recor d i s du e
rath er to th e e ffi c i ent memb er sh i p o f th i s l egi sl atu re th an to th e
sy stem
I n comm on w ith a l a rge an d gro w i n g n u mb e r o f t hough t ful
peop l e I am p e r s u a ded that th e i n st rum ental i ti e s fo r l egi s lat ion
p rovi d ed fo r i n o ur stat e con sti tut ion h av e becom e a nt i qu at ed
an d i ne ffi c i en t
O u r sy st em i s fa sh i on e d a fte r th e E ngl i sh
pa rl i am en t w i th i t s two hou s e s b a s ed up on th e di st in ct ion
bet we en th e n obi l i ty an d th e common p eop l e each h o u s e rep re
s ent ing th e d i ve r s i n te re st s o f t h e se cl as se s No s u ch rea son
ex i st s i n th i s state fo r a du a l l eg i s lat i v e sy st em an d e v en i n
E ngl an d at th e p re s en t t im e th e du a l sy stem h as b een p ract ical ly
abandoned an d t h e u pp e r h ou se sh o rn o f i t s i mportan ce a n d I
bel i ev e that w e sh ou l d n o w conce rn ou rsel v e s i n d e vi s i ng a
syst em fo r l egi sl at i n g th at w i l l give u s mo r e e ffi ci en cy an d
qu i cke r re sp o n se to th e d eman d s o f o u r econom i c an d so ci a l
con dit ion s an d to t h e w i l l o f th e p eop l e
I h av e b een l ed to th i s con cl u s ion by an exp e ri enc e o f e igh t
y ear s a s a m emb e r o f th e S en at e o f th i s stat e an d my c o n vic
t ion s o n th i s s ub j ect a r e by n o m ean s o f recen t d ate A s fa r
back a s M a rc h 1 2 1 91 1 i n an i nte rv i ew p r inted i n on e o f th e
great dai l i e s I adv oc ate d that o u r p re sen t l egi sl at i v e system b e
aban don e d an d t h at a l egi sl at iv e a s s emb ly o f th i rty memb ers
from t h i rty l egi sl at iv e di st ri ct s u n de r th e ch eck o f th e r ecal l
b e p rov i ded fo r i n it s p l ace T h e su gge sti on m a d e at that t i m e
met w ith m u ch favo rabl e comm en t an d I fi rml y be l i ev e that
th er e i s a grow i ng p ub l i c op in io n i n i t s fa vo r
Yo u s enato r s an d rep res ent ati ve s cannot b u t h av e ob se rv ed
th e d efect s o f Ou r p resen t syst em I n a sh o rt se s si o n o f fi fty
day s you a r e requ i re d to st u dy an d p as s upon h un dr ed s o f
m easu re s an d th e h u rry w i th w h i ch thi s m u st b e don e m u st
o f n eces s ity re su l t i n a n umb er o f mo r e o r l e ss c ru d e an d i ll
digeste d l aw s w h ic h o ften p u z z l e l ea rn ed j u ri st s t o i n t erp r et
w ith anyt h i ng l i ke sati s fact ion to th em sel v e s o r to th e p ub l i c
H un dred s o f m ea su re s al so embodyi n g i mp ort an t legi sl at ion
di e on th e ca l en da r eve ry t w o yea r s A fte r a b ri e f s e ssion t h e
l egi s l at u r e a dj o urn s an d th e b u si ne s s Of o n e c o Or din ate b ran ch
ab an don e d fo r a whol e
o f th e state g o v e rn m ent i s ab s o l utel y
b i enn iu m u n l es s th e l egi sl atu r e i s con v o k ed i n an exp en s i v e
.
.
.
,
.
,
,
.
,
,
.
.
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
.
.
'
,
’
,
.
,
.
.
,
,
.
,
i
,
68
S H O RT B A LLO T
,
e xt rao rd in ary se s s io n by t h e gove rno r It i s a s i f th e h ea d o f
”
“
a n imp ortant depa rtm en t o f som e oth er b i g b us m ess shou l d
g i v e on ly fi fty d ay s ev ery two y ea rs t o it s man agem ent
I a m aw
a r e o f th e v en e rat i on w i th w h i ch an c i en t i n sti tu tion s
a r e rega r d e d i n som e qu arte r s b ut I se e n o rea son w hy w e
s ho u l d c l ing t o t h e se i n stit uti on s i n ca rryi ng o n th e a l l-i mpo r
t ant a ffai r s o f t h e state w hen i n a l mo st ev e ry oth e r act i vi ty o f
l i fe w e a re d i sc ard in g o l d t rad it ion s an d ant iquat ed m eth od s for
n ew e r a n d p rog res si ve i d ea s a n d m o r e e ffi ci en t a nd e conom ic
m eth od s T h i s l e g i sl atu re ha s i t s e l f di s ca rded th e a nt iq uat e d
o f m an agi ng th e b u s in e s s o f o u r bi g
a n d i n e ffi ci ent method s
st at e i n st it ut ion s an d ha s concent rat ed th e re sp on si b i l ity i n th e
h an d s o f a fe w i n st ea d o f m any bo a rds — in a wo rd ha s appl i ed
to th em th e p ri n cip l e O f gov ern m en t by comm i s s i on W e h ave
r ecogn i z e d i n th i s st at e a l so th at th e O l d m etho d s o f c ity gov
in e ffi c i en t a n d u n s ati s facto ry an d every
er n m ent a re exp en s i ve
w h e re th e com m i s si on p lan Oi c ity go v ern men t i s b ein g adopt ed
a nd i n al mo st ev e ry c a s e i s yi el di ng h igh —
cl as s re su l ts
Fo r my sel f I c an se e n o good rea so n why th i s n ew i d ea o f
gov e rn men t by comm i ss i on sh ou l d no t b e a dop te d fo r th e t ran s
acti on o f th e bu si n e s s o f th e state T w o yea r s ago I s uggested
a s ingl e l egi s l at i v e a s semb ly o f t h i rty membe r s fro m th ir tv
l egi s l at i ve d i st ri ct s I am n ow i n cl i n e d t o bel i ev e that th i s n um
b er i s to o l a rge an d that a l egi s l at i v e a s s emb ly o f on e o r at
mo st two f rom each cong res si on a l d i st ri ct w o ul d be amp ly
l arge My j u dgmen t i s th at th e gov erno r s h o u l d b e ex o fii ri o
a memb er an d p re s i d i n g O ffi ce r o f th i s a s sembl y an d that i t
Shou l d b e p e rm itt e d to meet i n su ch f requ en t an d reg ul a r o r
a dj ou rn ed se ss i on s a s th e ex igenci e s o f th e p ub l i c b u si n e s s m ay
demand ; th at th ei r t e rm s o f o ffi ce b e f o r fo u r O r s i x y ea rs
an d t hat th ey b e p aid s al ari e s su ffi ci ent to j u sti fy th em i n d evot
i ng th e i r en t i r e t im e to th e p ub l i c bu s in e s s S uch a l egi sl at i ve
a ss emb ly wo u l d n o t I b el i ev e b e m o re exp en s i v e t ha n ou r
p re sen t sy st em I t wou l d c ent ral i z e re spo n sibi l ity an d acco unt
ab i l ity an d u n de r th e ch eck o f th e rec al l wo u l d b e qu i ckly
resp on s i v e to th e w i sh e s o f th e p eopl e
A l egi sl at i ve a s s e m bly such a s I h av e suggested c o u l d gi ve
amp l e t i me to th e con sid e ration o f eve ry mea su re n o t on ly i n
rel at i on t o i t s subj ect mat te r bu t to th e d ra ft ing o f i t i n p lai n
conc i se an d ea si l y u nde r stan dabl e l anguage I t wo u l d b e ready
a t any t im e to d eal w i th n ew con d it ion s an d t o p rov i d e rel i e f
.
.
.
,
,
.
“
,
.
'
,
,
,
.
'
,
.
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
,
,
.
“
,
.
~
,
,
,
.
S H O R T B A LL O T
69
i n eme rgen cy ca se s a n d w ith t i m e to i n form i ts el f abo ut co n
ditio n s a n d to st u dy th e n ee d s o f t h e p eop l e an d o f o u r state
i n st i tut i on s th e re seem s to m e t o b e n o qu e st ion b u t wh at i t
wou l d b e va stly more effi ci ent th an o u r p re sen t syst em a s w el l
a s va st ly mo re economi ca l
O u r p res en t sy st em ha s been i n vogu e si nc e K an sa s becam e a
stat e mo re than fi fty yea r s ago an d i n t hat t i me we h av e seen
th e mo st rem a rk abl e ch an ge s i n soci o lo g i ca l an d econ om i c con
ditio n s take p l ac e
No p ri vate b u s i n e s s n ow u se s th e m etho d s
o f fi fty ye ar s ago
I n e v ery a ct i vi ty o f m o dern l i fe ne w an d
“
”
p rogre s s i v e m eth od s h av e b een a dop te d By p rog re ss i v e I
do not m ea n an y v i s ion a ry sch em e o f gove rn ment b ut th e ex er
c i s e o f th at san e s ob er an d w i se j u dgmen t wh i c h i s a l way s
ready to th row away ant iqu ated mach i n e ry an d m etho d s and
a dop t t h e l at e st mo s t e ffi ci ent mo st b en efi c ient an d mo st eco
n o m ica l i n st ru men tal i ti es
fo r a cc o mp l i sh i ng t h e g reate st goo d
wh eth e r i t b e i n p ub l i c o r i n p ri vat e a ff a i r s
I s th ere any goo d r ea son w hy p ol iti cal i n st it uti on s s ho u l d n ot
ch ange w i th th e ch anging dem an d s O f m ode rn soci al an d eco
n omi c con d it ion s ? I b el i e v e n o t T h e l eav en o f th i s n ew i d ea
fo r mo der n p ubl ic bu s in es s h as
o f mod e rn b u s i ne s s method s
t aken root i n th e p ub l i c m i n d T h e p eop l e a re every wh e re tal k
in g it o ve r an d I am o n e o f tho se w h o b el i ev e that th e peop l e
can b e t ru st ed to reach co r r ect conc l u si on s abou t th ei r o wn
p ubl i c b u s in es s w h en they a re g iv en a dequ at e opportun ity to
“
stu dy an d d i scu s s any s ubj ect A s W en del l P h i l l ip s sa i d T h e
p eop l e al ways m ean right a n d i n th e en d t h ey w i l l hav e i t
”
r ight
T h e p eop l e o f Kan sa s a re p rogre s si ve ; th ey kn o w what
they w ant ; a n d g i v e th em a ch anc e at th e bal l ot bo x an d th ey
wi l l get i t I am n ot i n symp athy w ith th e i dea th at any p ub l i c
offi ce r kno w s b ette r th an th e p eop l e th em sel v e s wh at t h ey w ant
I am not a ski ng at th i s t im e th at a ny l egi sl at i ve act ion b e
taken on th i s s ubj ect b ut am ca l l ing you r attent i on to th i s
subj ect now t h at yo u m ay c a rry back to you r p eop l e th e i d ea
h erei n exp re s se d and t a lk it ove r w ith th em fo r th e n ext t wo
year s t o th e en d th at w hen yo u com e b ack to th e s e ha l l s at
tha t t i m e yo u m ay kn o w a n d b e o f a m i n d t o e xecut e th e w il l
o f th e p eop l e o f th i s stat e On th i s s u b j ect
I w an t to th an k th e m emb ers o f th e l egi sl at u re o f 1 91 3 fo r
t h e i r si ncere an d ea rn est e ffo rt s to l eg i sl ate for th e bes t i nte re st s
stat e an d fo r th e un i for m co u rt esy wh i ch t h ey h av e
o f th e
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
.
.
,
'
,
,
,
,
.
.
.
,
.
,
,
.
.
.
,
,
.
'
,
’
S H O R T B A LL O T
70
e xt en d ed to m e a n d to a s su re th em o f th e h i gh p e rsona l
rega rd i n wh ic h I ho l d e ach a n d eve ry sen ato r an d rep re sent a
ti v e
R esp ect fu l l y s ubm itted
G EO H HO DG E S G ove rno r
,
.
,
.
.
E qu i t y S e r i e s
1
.
Ne w Typ e
be?
5
O c t ob er
: 2 03 -6 .
.
,
,
1
91 3
S tat e G ov e rn m en t
of
h
n
What s hal l i t
, T e o ly t h in g ce rta i n i s th at th e p re sen t
stat e con st i tu ti on s w i l l b e sup e r sed ed by someth i ng d iff e ren t
W ha t th i s d i ff e rent th ing sh al l b e Or i n wh at w ay s i t sh al l be
d iff e rent from t h e p r e sen t fo rm o f stat e go ve rnm en t i s n o t
agreed u p on at th e p re sen t t i m e G o ve rn o r O Neal o f A l abam a
ad vocate s greate r p o w e r to th e ex ecu t i v e M any by anal ogy
a d vocat e a com mi ss i on fo rm o f state go ve r nm ent s s i m i l
th e no w e st ab l i sh ed comm i s s i o n fo rm o f ci ty gov e rnm en t
ad voc at e th e i mp rov em en t in th e comm i s sion fo rm o f c ity
“
”
e r n m en t kn own
a s th e c i ty man age r pl an appl ie d to s
“
”
w h i ch w ou l d b e th e stat e man age r p la n
Th in k er s h av e been enga ge d on th is p r o b l em on ly a
p a r ativ el y sh o rt t i me an d p robab ly a n i n fi n it e va ri ety o f
H ow eve r l et u s con si der p rin cipl e s an
po sal s w il l b e mad e
d et ai l s an d w e sh al l s ee th at v a ri et i es w i l l not b e so n u
I n th e fi r st p l ace th e ne w go ve rnm en t m u st be r ep r es
o f th e peop l e an d rea di ly re sp on s i v e to th e p eop l e s w i sh e s
p r e sent m etho d o f d i st ri ct rep r e se nt ati on an d maj o rity
s en tat io n
i s on l y c ru d e ly rep re sentat i v e Many c o n s id
b l ock s o f vot ers a re n ot r ep re s en ted at a ll
T he
R an
gra f t ed o n th e Ol d fo rm o f st at e gov e rn men t mak e s i t v
mo re r e spon s i ve to th e w i sh e s o f th e p eopl e th an be fo re
y et w i th th e o l d c ru d e meth o d s o f ch oo si ng rep re sentati ve s
th e o l d i n effi ci en t pl an o f gove rn men t stat e gove rnm ent i s s
u n sati s facto ry T he O l d fra m e O f g ov e rn men t m u st be p ut as i
an d a n e w o n e sou gh t
Th e com m i s si on f o rm i n w h i ch each comm i s si on e r ha s
a d m in i st rat i v e d epartmen t
i s n ow recogn i z ed a s being d efec ti
b ec au s e o f th e d i ffi c u l ty o f s el ect in g t ech n ic al ta l en t by p o p u
“
”
el ecti on s Fo r c i ti e s the c ity manage r pl an i s n o
w i th m o re fa vo r tha n th e p u rel y c o m ni is s io n fo rm th
be ing that th e comm i s si o n i s a l egi slat i v e body on l y
'
.
,
,
’
.
.
,
,
,
,
.
.
,
.
’
,
.
,
,
,
’
,
,
.
,
.
.
,
,
,
,
.
.
,
,
.
.
,
,
S H OR T B A LL OT
71
i t a l so s el ect s a city m anage r w ho sel ect s th e c i ty a dmi n i st rat i v e
O ffi c er s wh o se rv e un de r h i m b ut al l a re respon s ib l e t o t h e
comm i s si on Th i s look s l ik e getti n g f a r a w ay f rom d emoc r acy ;
an d s o i t w ou l d be i f th e I R an d R w e re n ot rega rded a s a
“
”
n ec e ssa ry p a rt o f th i s p l an W ithou t th e d em oc rat i c t r in ity th i s
p la n wou l d b e h i gh ly ar i stoc rat i c an d u n r e sp on si v e t o p op u l a r
deman d s an d m igh t l ea d to gre at e r co rrup t ion an d m ach i n e r u l e
t han w e h av e ha d i n th e p a st B ut th e i n it i at ive r e ferend u m
an d recal l g i v e pop u la r co nt ro l wh i l e th e concent rati on o f po w e r
cond u ce s to effi ci ency
B u t w i l l th e i dea s exp re ss e d i n th e p reced in g p a rag rap h
”
“
w h i c h a re w
o r k i ng o ut so s u cce s s fu l ly i n b ity gove rn men t fi t
st ate gov e rnm ent ? P e rh ap s e xp e r i en c e w i l l fi n al ly b e cal l e d
upon t o dec i d e b ut theo ret ica l l y th e re a re re a son s fo r dou bt I t
i s not w el l t o j u m
p to a con cl u s i on th at a p l an wh i ch wo rk s
w el l i n o n e fi el d o f go v e rnment m ust n ec es s ari ly w ork w el l in
anoth e r ki n d o f a fi el d
,
,
,
.
.
.
.
,
,
.
,
.
,
,
.
,
,
_
i
.
,
.
C i ty C har ters
an
d S ta te C o ns ti tu tio ns
A city ch a r te r an d a state con sti t uti o n a re v e ry d i ffe rent
th i ng s A rad i cal pol it ic al d iff e re nce between a stat e an d a ci ty
i s that a st at e h a s i nh e rent o r o rigin al p ol it i ca l p o w e r ; w h i l e a
c ity h a s on l y th e p o w er s an d p ri v i l ege s that a re gi ven to it by
th e stat e H ow ev er th i s fact doe s n ot he lp u s to d eterm in e
w hat f o rm o f go v e rn ment w i l l b e m o st succes s fu l i n ei th e r
p rov i de d th e c ity i s gi v en f u l l freedo m to sel ect a fo rm o f g o v
.
“
,
.
,
,
ern m ent .
T e r rito ri a l extent i s th e mo st st ri ki ng d i ffe ren c e bet w een a
c ity an d a stat e an d th i s m ay o r may not h elp to determ i n e
th e b e st fo rm o f gove rn men t s u itab l e to each T h e p e o p l e o f a
c ity may b e as h ete ro g eneou s a s th e p eop l e o f a stat e o r ev en
more so T h e i nt ere st s o f a c ity m ay b e a s d ive r si fi e d a s t h ose
of
a state B ut t erri to ri al r emot ene ss o f on e i nt e re st fro m
anoth e r i n a state m ak e s regi ona l r ep res ent ati on i n a stat e gov
i mp o rt ant th an i n a city go v e r n m ent H en ce
er n m en t mo re
“
“
”
”
w h i l e th e gen era l t i cket o r at l a rge p lan o f e l ect i ng r ep r e
i t i s n ot fa v o re d
s en tatives i n c it i e s h a s su cceed e d fa i rly w e l l
fo r state s H ow eve r p r o po rti ona l o r e xact rep re sentat io n
ach i e v ed by mean s o f th e s ingl e t ran s fe rab l e b al l ot w i l l gi v e
mu ch t ru e r rep re sentat ion o f th e p eop l e Of a st at e than region al
rep resentat i on
,
.
,
.
.
.
,
,
'
.
,
,
,
,
'
.
'
s H OR T B ALL O T
72
Th e p robl e m s o f gove rnm ent i n a stat e ar e qu it e d i ff eren t
“
”
from th o se o f a c i ty Th e go ve rn men t o f a city touch e s it s
c iti z en s m u ch mo re frequ ent ly a nd mo re i nt im ately tha n the st ate
gov ernm ent do e s : S u ch v i tal th ings a s wate r an d l i gh t eithe r
supp l i ed o r cont ro l le d by th e city gov ernm ent e nte r e very h ome
o f th e city E ve ry t i m e w e st ep o u t up on th e st reet th e c i ty gov
“
”
er n m en t
to uch e s u s i n th e c ondit i on o f th e st reet s p ubl i c o rde r
u p on th e st r eet s th e regu l at ion o f l oca l t ran spo rtat ion etc Th e
c h i e f fu nct i on s o f th e stat e a re s uperv is io n al rath e r tha n th e su p
p lyi ng O f se rv ice s Th e state s ays w hat co rpo rat i on s may o r m ay
not d o I t e stab li s h e s stan d ar d s fo r ed ucati on p ubl ic o rde r, th e
adm i n i st rat ion o f j u st i c e etc Its fun ct ion s h av e recently e x
b u i l d ing an d
p a n d ed i n th e d i rect i on o f regu la ti ng rai l road s
ma i ntai n i ng p ubl i c h i gh w ays an d oth e r b roa d se rvi ce s not fo r
m er ly attempted I t m a in ta i n s p en a l an d el eemo syna ry in st itu
t ion s an d m any state s a re n o w rap idly expa ndi ng a long th e l in e
o f p ubl i c h eal th a ct i vi ti es T he re see m s to b e sc a rcely an y l im i t
t o w h at a stat e m ay do b ut i t seem s to b e c e rt ai n th at a state
w i l l n eve r supp l y tho se i nt i mat e se rv i ce s that a c i ty doe s a s
th e ca re o f st reet s t h e supp ly o f wate r l ight etc
H e re i s i n d i cat ed th e typ e o f m in d requ i red to deal intel l i
gen t ly an d ab ly w ith stat e p rob l em s W e a l so kn o w th e c o n
d it i on o f u np repa red n es s o f th e ave rage state l egi slato r ; al so
th e h a st e an d exci tem ent du ri n g t h e b r i e f l egi sl at i ve t e rm s
con d it ion s f avo rab l e to c ru d e an d h a sty l egi sl ati on an d t h e
sup rem acy o f p ol it i ca l m
ach in e s
Comm i ss i on gov e rn ed c it i e s requ i re con stant serv ic e o f t h e
co m m i ssion e r s who a re th e mak e rs an d th e a d m in i st rat o r s o f
“
”
o rdi n an ce s I n ci ty manage r c it i e s o rd i nan ce s a re mad e by
th e com mi s sion and th ey a re a dmi n i ste re d by th e c omm i s sion s
agent s ( th e c i ty m anage r and h i s appo intee s ) wh o a re u nd er
t h e comp l ete cont ro l o f th e com m i s sion T h i s si mpl e m ach i n ery
t ake s th e p lace o f t h e aw k wa rd an d b ungl e so m e common counc i l
select co un c i l : m ayo r an d n u m
erou s el ected ci ty o ffic e r s I f t h i s
m ean s anyth i ng i n th e way o f an i mp ro ve d state gove rn ment i t
mean s a s impl ifi ed st at e gov e rnm en t e s sent i a l ly a s fol l ow s : A
smal l s ingl e -body l egi sl atu re i n con stan t s erv ic e w ith suffi cient
compen sat i on to att ract th e b e st ta l en t an d appoi nt ed rath e r t han
el ected state ad mi n i st rat i ve offi cer s
Th e o ld- fa sh i on ed c ity cha rte rs a re rap i d ly be ing l a i d a sid e
fo r th e n ew type above m ent i on e d Th e l ay ing a si d e o f th e o ld
.
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
,
a
.
.
,
.
,
'
,
,
.
,
.
,
-
,
,
,
.
,
'
.
,
.
,
.
'
,
,
.
,
.
,
,
,
,
,
.
.
74
S H O RT B ALLO T
pow e r On l y th e p eop l e s h o u l d h av e th at t h ru th e re fe ren d u m
W h at e l s e w ou l d th e re b e fo r a go vern o r to do ? Th e l egi sl a
t i ve bo dy w ou l d rep resen t th e p eop l e an d i t sh ou l d b e th e
go ve rnm ent su bj ect al way s t o th e d i r ect w i l l o f th e p eop l e
wh en e v e r th ey w i sh to exp re s s i t th r u th e i n it iat i v e re fe rendu m
o r reca l l
T h i s b ody sh ou l d se lect th e h ead s o f adm in i st rat i v e
d ep a rtment s s uch h ea d s be i ng re spon si bl e to th e l egi sl at i ve b ody
w h i ch bo dy sh ou l d h av e th e po w e r n o t on ly o f emp l oym ent b ut
o f d i sm i s sal a t w i l l o f sa i d head s o f d ep a rtm ent s an d sa i d h e ad s
sho u l d appoi nt th ei r o wn s ubo rd in ates Th ey cou l d not rea son
ab ly b e h el d r espon sibl e w i th o u t th e pow er O f sel ect in g th e i r
sub o rd inate s
.
.
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
,
,
.
.
C o ns titu tio n Only th e F ra me
T h i s i s inten d ed to b e on ly s ugge st i ve o f th e n e w typ e o f
state go v ern men t Th e n ew con st i tu t i on s sh o ul d conta i n n oth
i ng b ut th e fra m e o f t h e gove r n m ent i ntend ed I t sho u l d stat e
w h at offi ce r s t h e gove r nm en t sh ou l d con si st o f h ow each shal l
b e el ect ed o r sel ecte d th e du t i e s o f each th e p eop l e re se rv i ng
fo r t hem s el v e s th e I R an d R
I t i s p res um e d th at an y n ew con st itu t i on w i l l g ran t t o m un i
c ip a l it ie s an d co u nt i e s th e f u l l est m ea su re o f home ru l e
w i th
th e l oca l I R a n d R Th en l oc al p ol it ic s ( pol i ci e s ) wo ul d be
ikept s eparate f r
om st at e matt er s T h en th e re w ou l d b e n o i nte r
l ocki ng O i l ocal and stat e pol i ti ca l m ach in e s —if t h ere w ou l d b e
an y mach in e s at al l : S uch compl ete s eg regat i o n o f lo cal f rom
state gov e r nm ent wo u l d acc el e rat e th e rathe r rap i d l y p rogre ss i ng
sepa rat ion o f n at ion a l po l i t i cs from s tat e an d l oc al aff a i r s wh ic h
i s ve ry d e si rabl e Local pol i c i e s sh oul d b e d eci d ed an d l oca l
p ubl i c aff a i r s shou l d be m an age d a s l oc al bu sin e s s m atte r s
w h ich th ey a re
S tat e p ol ic i e s th e sam e
a nd n at ion al
p ol ic i e s th e sam e
each
i n i t s o wn sph e re I f you r
Opi n ion s i n th e s e matt er s h appen t o l in e y ou up w i t h th e sam e
ma n i n l oca l a ffai r s stat e a ffa i rs an d nat ion al aff a i r s ( w h i ch i s
rath e r u n lik ely ) th en you r c rowd w ou l d natu ral ly be th e sa me
pol it ica l p a rty al l al on g th e l in e P ol it ical pa rt i e s in th e pa st
h a v e ma int ai ned t h ei r i d en t ity sol i dly i n t h e s e th re e sphe re s but
n ot on a rat i o na l ba si s A s m en become mo re rat iona l i n po l i
tic s th e t en d ency i s to a l ign i nd epend ent ly i n th e se th re e sphe re s
an d i n deed t o act i nd epen d ently on any p ropo s it ion i n any o r a l l
o f th e se sph e re s
Th i s f eel ing O f i nd epen denc e f rom fo rme r
.
.
,
,
,
.
,
.
,
.
,
.
,
.
.
.
.
,
.
,
.
,
.
,
,
,
,
.
,
.
,
,
.
S H O R T B A LL O T
75
pa rti es w i l l hel p u s to get a bett e r m o re rati on al a n d mo re
effi ci ent typ e o f s tate gove rnm en t
T h e n e w typ e o f stat e gove rn m en t w i l l p rob ably b e w o rke d
out i n futu re stat e con st it ut iona l conv ent i on s T h e on ly oth e r
way i s by stat e in it i at i v e and it m ay b e don e i n th i s w ay i n
O regon an d p o ss i bl y i n som e oth e r stat e s w h ic h h a v e th e in iti
ati ve C on stit ut ion a l con v ent i o ns w ere u rge d i n m any state
l eg i s lat u re s l a st w i nte r In d ian a an d S o uth D akot a a re th e
on ly state s th at h av e a con v enti on sch edu l ed an d th ey a re p ro
v i si ona l Th e qu e sti on o f a state con st i tu t i on a l c on vent ion w i l l
be v ot ed o n i n th es e state s i n N o ve m b er 1 91 4 I f ca r ri ed
w h i ch i s p robabl e th e conventi on i n In d ian a w i l l m eet i n 1 91 5
an d i n South D akot a o n a dat e to b e set by th e legi s l a t u re T h e
N ew Yo rk con st itut i on p rov i d e s f o r a con st itu t iona l con v ent ion
i n 1 91 6 Ot he r state s w i l l d o ubtl es s c al l con venti on s b e fo r e
m any years but w e h op e th at p rogre s s w i l l b e s l o w an d del ibe r
ate I f I n d ian a an d S o ut h D akota sho u l d embrac e th ei r o pp o r
tu nity th ey can estab l i sh th e futu r e mod el
I f not th e mo del
w i l l b e wo rk e d o u t b y oth er stat es S oone r o r l at er th e t ru e
type w i l l b e foun d an d t h en i t w i l l sp r ea d from st ate to stat e
,
,
.
.
.
,
,
.
.
,
.
.
,
,
,
,
.
.
,
.
.
,
,
.
.
.
,
E q u it y S er ie s
1
.
5
21
-6 1
6
5
J ul y
.
,
1
91 3
P rob l e m O f St at e G o v e rn m ent
O u r Congre ss w a s mo del ed a fte r th e B rit i sh P a rl i ament o f
that t i me Th e p aral l el i s n o t exact b u t g en e ra l T h e re wa s
an eff ort i n ou r con sti tut iona l conven t ion to m ake th e t e rm o f
r Un i ted
ou
S tat e s sen ato rs fo r l i fe l ike th e m emb ers o f th e
E ng l i sh H ou s e o f Lo rd s bu t i t f ai l ed
B u t t h e i n d i rect metho d
o f el ecti ng s en ato r s wa s p u rp o se ly t o mak e th e s en at e l e s s d emo
c rat i c— ce rta i nl y le s s dir ec tly d e moc ra tic—t h an th e h o u s e
Stat e gove rn ment s cop i e d t h e t wo -h ou s e l egi sl at u re th e el ec
t i ve ch i e f e x ec ut iv e b u t un fo rtu n atel y t h ey ma d e th e oth e r
ex ec ut iv e o ffi cer s el ect i v e i n stea d o f app oin t i v e T h e p re s i d ent
app oi nt s h is c ab i n et b ut gove rno r s cannot appoi nt th ei r stat e
offi ce rs
P op u la r el ect ion o f st at e o ffi ce rs w a s s uppo s ed to b e
a conce s sion to d emoc r acy bu t i t gr eatly i mp ai rs e ffi ci ency
becau se th e resp on s ib i l i ty for t h e stat e adm in i st rat ion i s t h u s
di v i d ed among many el ect ed O ffi cer s in stea d o f be i ng coneen
tr at ed i n t h e go v e rno r
.
.
,
,
.
,
.
,
,
,
,
.
,
'
.
,
.
,
76
S H O RT B ALL O T
Th e p op u l a rity and great su cce s s o f th e com mi s sion fo rm o f
gove rn m en t i n ci ti e s h a s i n vi ted o ur t hough t ane w to pl a ns o f
gove rn ment We se e that th e comm i s s i on p l an abol i sh e s t h e
t wo l egi sl at i v e h ou se s an d combi ne s th e l egi s lat i v e an d e xecuti v e
funct ion s i n a com m i s si on u su al l y o f fi ve H e re is a rad i ca l
con centrat ion o f both l egi s l at i ve an d execu ti ve po we r an d r e
sp on sib i l ity N ea rl y al w ay s th e in it iati v e an d re fe ren du m go
al ong w ith th i s concent rat io n o f l egi sl at i ve po we r a s a cont rol ;
an d th e recal l a s a cont rol o f th e ex ec ut i v e po w e r
.
.
.
.
C o m m iss io n
G
o v er n m en t
-
fo r S ta tes
T al k w ith any th i nki ng man wh o h a s ob se rved th e com m i s
si on p l an mov em ent an d m en t ion to h i m th e de f ect s a nd ineffi c i
ency o f state gove rn m ent so p l a i n to e ve ry o n e a n d h e is l ikely
to say th at w e sh ou l d ext en d th e comm i ss io n p l an o f gov ern
“
”
m ent to s tates
Co mm i s s ion gov ern m en t fo r state s is b eco m
i n g a pop u l a r exp re ss ion an d th e rei n w i l l be a d ange r i f w e a re
n o t ca refu l
fo r th e re a re bett e r th ing s po s sibl e than th e p re sent
comm i s s i on p l an o f go ve rnmen t fo r c it ie s
No t l on g ago th e l ead in g ad vocate s o f th e comm i s si on p l an
fo r c iti e s h e sitate d to recomm en d i t fo r any c ity abo ve
i n h abi tant s B u t i t h a s bee n i n s ucc e s s fu l O pe rat io n i n M emph i s
Ten n ( p op u l at ion
sin ce 1 909 an d i n Oakl and Ca l
sin ce 1 91 0 an d i n B i rm i ngh am A l a ( pop
( po p
Om aha N eb ( p op
an d Low el l M a s s ( po p
s i nc e 1 9 1 1 ; an d i n Ne w O rl ean s ( po p
an d
S t P au l ( pop
sinc e 1 91 2 : T h e tendency i s fo r la rge r
a n d la rge r c iti e s to a dopt th e com mi ss ion p l an o f gove rn m ent
B u t th e matte r o f mak i ng suc h a rad ica l change i n state
gove rnment a s th i s wou l d b e i s a se riou s on e H ow eve r some
ch ange i s su re to b e m ad e S o l et u s t ak e t he p re sen t p re va i l ing
p l an O f st ate go ve rnm en t an d in i maginat ion m ak e a st ep -b y
step mod i fi cat i on an d s ee w h e re i t w i l l l ead u s
,
,
.
,
,
.
.
,
.
.
,
,
.
.
,
.
.
,
,
.
,
.
.
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
,
'
.
.
,
.
.
,
M o difi ca tio ns S tep b y S tep
Let u s b egi n w i th t h e l egi s lati ve b ran ch —o u r thought i s no w
“
”
accu stom ed t o bra nch e s o f g ove rnm en t but o u r e vol ut ion
may l ea d u s to a con si sten t w h o l e i n gove rn ment i n st ea d o f
”
“
b ranch e s A nd w e fi n d tha t th e l egi sl at ive b ranch i s s u b
d i v id ed i nto t wo b ranch e s th e senat e and ho u s e A l l p ro g res
,
“
,
.
,
.
S H O R T B AL L O T
77
s iv e t h i nke r s now agree th at th e re shou l d b e onl y on e ho u se
“
”
?
bu t wh ic h ho u s e
M any sup e rfi c i al ly say abol i sh th e s enat e
B u t why ? W hy n ot abol i s h th e l ow e r h ou s e an d keep th e
sen at e a s the s i ngle ho u s e ? I n dee d th e re i s b ette r rea son fo r
thi s b ecau se th e growi ng sent i men t i s n ot on ly fo r a s i ng l e
ho u s e b u t al so fo r a s ma l l h ou s e an d t h e s enat e i s a l w ays th e
smal le r h ou s e
He re w e c an comp rom i se an d w h i l e w e a re
recon st r uct i ng stat e go ve rn men t abo l i sh b o th h ou s es an d pu t i n
th ei r p lace s a ne w ch ambe r d iff e ren t fro m ei th e r
.
,
-
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
fo r
B as is
R epr es en ta tio n
I n con st ru ct ing th e n ew s ingl e ch ambe r t h e qu e st ion at onc e
a r i ses w h at w i l l b e th e ba s i s fo r r ep re sentat i o n ? W i l l th e
c o u nty b e t h e un i t ? o r a d i st ric t conta i n in g app rox i mat ely a
gi v en p op u lat ion i n contigu ou s te r r itory ? B ot h hou se s o f o u r
p re sent l egi s lat u re s a re m a d e up in th e l atte r w ay Co un ti e s
cont ai n in g l a rge c i ti e s l ik e P h i l ade lp h ia N ew Yo rk o r C h icago
s en d m any s en ators an d rep re sentat iv e s to th e l egi sl atu re
Th e mo st p ro fi tabl e th ing w e can do u n d e r th e h ea d o f ba si s
o f rep res entat ion i s to look a t th e fact s a s t h ey n o w e xi st T h e
t ab l e on p age 7 8 w i l l sh o w th e p op u l ati on an d n umb e r o f count i e s
in each st at e an d th e r ep re sent ati on o f sa i d pop u l at i on i n both
h ou se s o f each l egi s l atu r e an d i n th e l o we r h ou s e o f cong re ss
th e on e ba se d o n p op u lat ion
A gl anc e w i l l S ho w th e h et e rogen eou s co n d i t ion conce rn i ng
l egi sl at u res Not e t h e n umbe r i n th e lo w e r ho u s e i n N ew H amp
sh i re fo r ex amp l e an d i n Ve rmont an d comp a re w i t h th e p o p u
"
l at ion o f th e state s nam ed I t w i l l b e noted th at o f co u rse th e
n u mb e r o f cong re ss men f rom ea ch s tat e i s i n p rop ort i on to th e
p op u l at ion an d th i s rel at io n i s n eces sari ly un i f o rm on e stat e
w i th an oth e r
B u t l eg i sl ati v e r ep re sent ati on i s o n a d i ffe rent
b asi s i n ev ery stat e A n d i n th e o l de r state s p art i cu l arl y th e
ba si s o f r ep re sentat ion i n diff e rent p art s o f the s am e st at e vari es
w i del y Fo r e xamp l e se e an expo s i t ion o f th e i rr egu la r l egi s la
t i v e r ep res ent ati on i n D el a w a re on p age 1 1 7 O f Ap ri l E qu ity
I t i s t he re s e en th at th e v al u e o f a v ot e fo r a l egi s l ato r i n di ffe r
ent part s o f th at stat e v a ri es from 1 t o
S ho u l d a r ep re sentat iv e rep resent
p op ul at ion
or
T h i s o f cou r se i s a n a rb it rary matte r W e a re p l an
n in g fo r a s ingl e l eg i sl at i ve bo dy fo r a st at e an d w e a re se eki n g
,
,
.
,
.
.
,
,
.
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
,
.
.
.
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
'
78
S H O R T B A LL O T
S t ates
of
t1 o n
1
C o u n t i es S en ate
91 0
A r iz o n a
C al i f o r n i a
_
.
A l a b am a
I:
Le gi s l a tu r e
N u m b er
P op u l a
5 741 449
3
33
I
75
35
1 00
7
58
40
80
62
35
6s
4
58
S
‘7
35
1
32
7
4
44
I 84
2
4
5
1
2
1
61
50
1 00
1
3
48
1 04
1 1
1 05
40
1 2
1 20
38
1 00
4
1
1
1 1
Ne w
N e w J ers ey
Ne w M ex ic o
N e w Yo r k
9
8
1
1
4
2
1 01
6
7
5
40
2
40
1
6
32
1 00
1
3
62
1 1
45
34
6
1 0
1
38
8
1
42
85
1
1 00
4 05
2 1
59
2
4
49
5
1
1
50
so
1 20
50
1 1 1
33
1 2
Oh i o
O l ah o m a
44
99
O r eg o n
3o
60
50
2 07
38
1 00
k
1
Rh o d e
T e n n e s s ee
T ex as
U t ah
V e rm o n t
V i r g i n ia
W as h in g to n
W es t V i r g in ia
W is c o n s i n
W y o m in g
3
43
.
9
'
3 7 3 .3 5
z ani
n2 2
ué
1
I4 s
t
i z
n19
96 5
2
45
1 00
33
99
34
3
|
1 09
2
1
8
45
7
1 1
31
20
.
8
5
22
S o u th C a ro l in a
S o u th
2
7
N ev ad a
P en n s y l v a n i a
I2
2
3
.
1 1
53
33
N o r th
N o r th D ak o t a
.
2
7 4 2 .3 7 I
1 1
g r ess
I4
4
797 1
.
l o
D el awar e
F l o ri da
G eo r g i a
I dah o
I ll in o is
I n d i an a
I o wa
I1
Con
99
35
M ai n e
M a r y l an d
M as s ach us et ts
M ic h i g a n
M in n es o ta
M is s is s ippi
M is s o u ri
M o n t an a
H ous e
of
54
c
K en t uc k y
L o u is i a n a
.
be r s
67
C o n n ec ti u t
K an s as
M em
I4
30
2
1 20
40
1 00
1
43
96
39
4
55
30
86
70
33
1 00
2 |
2
7
s7
1
6
S H O RT B A LL O T
79
the b e st s i z e fo r sa i d h ou se I t w o u l d seem th at a smal l stat e
cou l d get a long w i th a sm a ll e r body th an a l a rge st ate bu t a
glan ce at th e fi gu res g i ven abov e w i l l sh o w th at su ch a n i de a h a s
n ot h e reto fore been p r e va l ent
Th e Com mi s s ion -gov e rn e d c iti e s have ahn o st u n i f o rm ly fi v e
comm i s si one rs I n som e st ate s th e smal l est comm i ss ion -gov
e rn ed m un i c ipal it i e s h av e onl y th ree comm i s s ion e rs T h e new
P en n sy l van i a l a w p rov i de s for fi v e comm i ss ion er s fo r al l ci t i e s
to
from
p op u lat io n C it i e s b el ow
o r ab ov e
do n o t com e u n d e r th e l a w T h e po in t i s th at th e n um
be r o f com m i s s ion e r s i s con stant ( fi v e ) w h i l e th e po pu lat ion o f
the m un ic ip a l i ti es to w h i ch th e l a w app li es v a ri e s f rom
W e a r e not i n du l gi ng i n th eo ry b u t m e rel y p re sent
to
ing fact s
Wh at l igh t do th e se fact s th ro w on th e de s i rab l e si z e o f a
si m i l a r bo dy to gov e rn a st ate ? P la in ly i t n eed n o t b e st rictly
“
”
acco rd ing to p op ul at io n ; tho i t sh ou l d p rob abl y b e ro ughl y so
Certai n ly th e m embe r s sho u l d b e s u ffi ci ent ly n u m e ro u s to s at i s
fa cto r ily rep re sent th e d iff erent e l em ent s an d i nte re st s i n t h e
p op u l at ion o f th e stat e—th i s b ette r th an th e d i ff e rent s ec tio ns o f
th e st ate S ect ion a l rep re sen tat ion i s f raugh t w ith many ev i l s
I t i s not ac re s nor m ou nta i n s n o r ra i l fence s th at n eed r ep re
sen ta tio n b ut peo pl e ; an d p eop l e w ho h ave th e sa m e s en ti m ent s
o r i nte re st s to rep r esent may l i v e i n d iff e r ent pa rt s o f the st ate
T h at i s t h e r ea son th at co u nt i e s do n ot m ake th e i d ea l b a si s
fo r rep r e sen tat ion
T h e w a rd sy st em o f r ep re sentat i on i n c it i e s
i s be in g abandon ed
.
,
.
,
,
.
.
.
.
,
,
,
.
,
.
.
.
,
,
,
.
.
.
M o de
o
f
E l ec ti o n
T h e com mi s s io n -gov e rn e d c i t ie s el ect thei r comm i s sion e rs
“
”
“
”
at l a rge i gnoring wa r d l in e s T h i s i s t h e b lock v ote each
v ote r b ei ng ent it l ed to vot e fo r a b lo ck o f fi v e th e fi v e cand i date s
rece i v in g th e h ighest vot es b ei n g e l ecte d Th i s i s an i mp rov e
m en t o n th e p l an o f w ar d r ep r es en tati on ; b u t grav e ev i l s w ou l d
r e s ul t w h ere p a rt i z an l i n e s a re cl o se ly d rawn a s i n stat e el ec
t ion s T h e ch i e f ev i l w ou l d be th at i t wou l d gi v e a ll t he m em
be rs o f th e si ngl e ho u s e to th e m aj o rity pa rty in th e stat e D is
t ri et rep re s ent at ion w ith a l l it s n arrown e ss w ou l d be p re f erabl e
to th i s
R ea der s o f th i s magaz i n e a re fam i l i a r w ith p l an s fo r
p re f e rent ia l voti ng r es u lt i n g i n an eff ect i v e b a l lot fo r ev e ry
v oter an d t ru e a n d comp l et e rep r esentat i on o f ev e ry con si d erab l e
.
,
,
,
.
,
.
.
,
,
.
,
’
,
80
S H O R T B ALLO T
p o rt i on o f th e e l ectorate T h i s w i l l avo i d th e ev i l s
“
”
bl ock vote an d th e d i st r ict ba s i s
.
o
f bot h th e
.
S iz e
o
f S ing le H o us e
W e a re st i l l fac ing th e qu e st ion o f h o w m any mem be r s
sh ou l d th i s s ingl e body fo r th e gov e rn men t o f a state c on si st ?
“
?
T o o m any
S hou l d i t b e 50
T oo u n w i el d ly for a comm i s
”
s i on o r w h ateve r y o u w i sh to cal l th e b ody wh ich i s to b e i n
con stant an d re sp on s ib l e s e r vi c e to th e st ate S om e say i t shou l d
b e an o dd n umbe r t o make t i e s i mpo s sib l e Shal l i t b e 2 5 ?
St i l l rath e r l arge 1 5 ? P e rh ap s th i s i s n ea r th e n u mbe r o f
g reat es t effi c i ency tho w e n eed n o t h op e that th e d iff e rent state s
w i l l adopt th e sam e n u mb e r B ut l et u s al way s hea r i n m in d t hat
sm al l n u mbe rs
care fu l ly s el ected favo r effi ci en cy
.
,
.
.
,
.
,
.
,
.
,
F u n c tio ns
o
th e
f
S ing l e H o us e
O u r l egi slatu re s a re l egi sl at i v e T h e comm i s s io n s wh i ch gov
e rn comm i s si on -gov ern ed c it ie s combi ne e xecu t i ve a nd l egi sl a
t i ve functi on s H e re w e h av e s een d emon st rated th e fa l l acy o f
ou r ol d doct ri n e o f s ep arat ed gove rnm en tal funct i on s
I n th e
n e w state go ve rnm ent a l so w e c an a n d w i l l demon strate t h i s
fa l l acy an d a l so g o a st ep fa rth e r a nd combi n e i n o n e body
P e rhap s I sh ou l d
l egi s l at i ve e x ecut i ve an d j ud ic i a l fu ncti on s
n o t s ay j u d i ci al fu n c ti o ns b u t
rath e r a c ont rol ov e r th e j u d iei
a ry D o n ot b e f ri gh ten ed A stu dy o f th e fu ncti on s a n d h i sto ry
o f th e E ngl i sh j u d ic ia ry p l ai n ly in d icat e s that th e j ud ic ia ry sh o u l d
no t b e i n d ep en d ent o f an d abo ve th e n ew st ate gov ern m ent bu t a
c reat u re o f and s ubo rd in at e to i t I t goe s w i tho ut say ing t h at a
stat e gov e rn m en t o f few m embe r s a n d g reat po we r s m u st be
s ubj ect t o th e cont ro l l i n g p o w e rs o f th e i n i ti at i v e re fe ren d u m an d
recal l W ith th i s sa fegu a rd w e ca n p lan on ly fo r e ffi c i ency
W i t h an eff ect iv e b al l ot gi v i ng e ve ry fact io n o f th e stat e
rep re s entation acco rd ing t o it s m embe rs th e r ep re se ntati ve body
wou l d do acco rd i n g t o th e i nte re st s an d w i she s o f th e el ecto rate
m uch a s th o eve ry q u e st i on w ere sub m itte d t o d i rect vote Rep
r es e n ta ti v es th u s c h o s en i f effi c ien t an d t ru e t o the i r t ru st w oul d
b e l ikel y t o b e re-el ecte d t i me a fte r tim e a s mo st o f th e G al
v e ston com m i ss i on e rs have been an d th u s th e stat e wou l d h ave
”
“
a mo re o r l e s s p e rmanent exp e ri enc ed an d s ea son ed body o f
gove rno rs
.
.
.
,
,
,
.
,
.
,
,
,
.
,
.
,
.
.
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
,
,
.
82
S H O RT B ALLO T
A Glance
th e Av er ag e L eg is la tur e
at
On e th i ng se em s ce rta i n : T h at th e p eop l e o f th i s co untry w i l l
so on fi nd a way to stop state l a wm ak ing by l eg i slatu re s a s a t
p re sen t con sti tuted No ob se rv in g p e rson can v i si t a l egi slat u re
i n act ion w ithout concl u d i ng that i t i s a v e ry p oo r w ay to d o
th e state s bu s in es s Fi rst i n mate r ia l : No t o n e l egi slato r i n a
h un d red i s p rope rly p rep a re d fo r h i s d ut i e s M o st o f th em a re
h on e s t e nough b u t i t requ i re s m u ch m o re than hone sty to m ak e
l a w s fo r a st at e I t i s not th e fau l t o f th e m en bu t i t i s th e
fa u l t o f th e sy stem that p u t s th em th e re
S econ d l i mite d s ess i on s at ra re i nte rva l s : M o st o f t he
state s h av e l egi sl at i v e se s si on s on l y onc e i n t wo yea rs an d a
f e w ev e ry fou r ye a r s— som e eve ry ye a r Th e l ength o f ses s i on
i s l i mi ted i n mo st o f th e stat e s som e to on ly 5 0 d ay s Th e
o rgan iz at ion and oth e r n ec es sa ry formal it i e s o f t wo l a rg e h ou se s
requ i re con si derabl e t i me
T h i s u n w i el dy sy st em wit h nu
t rain e d m at eri al gi ve s t ra i n e d p ol iti c i an s t h e i r oppo rtun ity Th e
se ssi on i s w e l l a dv anc ed u su al ly be fo re an y great p rogre s s i s
m a de A s th e en d app roach e s th e re i s m u ch o f impo rtance to
be d on e an d th en a s th e P h i ladelp h i a Ledge r say s th e re i s
”
“
l awm a k i ng i n hot ha ste
W e cal l l egi sl at u re s del ib era tiv e
bod i e s Let a ny o ne v i s it any l egi sl ati ve body a s n o w con st i
t u ted l et i t be congre s s a state l egi sl atu re o r a ci ty coun ci l o f
th e o l d typ e o n th e l a st day o f i t s se ss ion an d a sk h i m i f h e
”
“
th i n k s i t i s a d el ib erat i v e body "
.
’
.
,
,
.
,
.
,
,
.
.
,
.
,
.
,
.
,
,
,
,
.
‘
.
,
,
,
,
We
,
W ha t W e Wa n t
want rea l d el ibe rat ion W e wa nt rea l
res po n s ib il itv
We
want m en fo r s uch dut i e s w h o a re p repa red f o r th em an d we
"
want th em ad equ atel y pa i d W e want to p u t a s top to l a w
”
m ak in g in h o t h a ste
W e w an t l aw s t u rne d o ut l ik e d eci si on s
o f th e s up rem e cou rt on l y a fte r th e m atu re st d el i b e rati on by
men spec ial ly t ra in e d a n d cho sen fo r th e ta sk B ut we want th e
body m uch n ea re r to th e p eopl e th an th e sup rem e cou rt i s and
i t shou l d b e su bj ect t o cont rol by th e p eopl e i f n ec e s sa ry by
m ean s o f th e in i ti at i v e re ferend u m an d re ca l l W e want no
l aw s th at m u st b e r u sh ed th r u t wo h ou se s by a gi ven t i me We
want re al d el ibe rat ion w it h b road i n ve st igat io n in th e p repa ra
“
”
t i on o f l aw s s o tha t th ey w i l l not b e ha l f baked but ri pened
an d matu re T h en w e w i l l not n eed so m any la w s —beca u se
th ey w i l l be bette r
.
.
.
.
,
,
'
.
,
,
,
.
.
,
,
,
.
.
S H O R T B ALL O T
83
Wi th th e reca l l we can gi v e ex ecu t i ve offi cer s mo re f ree dom
and di sc reti on W i th th e i n i ti at i v e an d re f e ren d u m w e can
sa fely an d p ro fi tably p ut th e la w -m ak i n g p ow e r in fewe r an d
abl e r han d s In st ead o f a sea so n o f a few mon th s ev e ry t wo
“
”
yea r s d u rin g wh i ch from 5 00 to
hot h a ste la w s a re
ma de w e w an t n o s et l awm ak i ng se ason b u t w e wa nt a b o dy
o f t rai ne d m en i n serv ic e al l th e t i me w h o w i l l p romu lgat e a
n e w l a w o n ly w h en n ee de d wh ich wou l d re su l t i n p erh ap s l e s s
than on e -t ent h th e n umbe r o f l a w s th at th e p re sen t sy ste m b u r
den s u s w i th Acco rd ing to th e P h i l a d el p hi a No rt h Ame r ican
fo r J u n e 2 5 th th e c l ub u s ed i n H a rri sb u rg to beat o u t th e k i nd
“
vot e righ t o r get nothi ng
o f l aw s d es i re d by th e p o l it ic i an s w a s
”
from th e adm i n i st rat ion
In th i s w e se e th e sh a do w o f th e
d i st ric t rep re sent at i on ev i l a s w el l a s m any oth e r ev i l s
We
want a b ette r sy stem wh i ch w i l l b rin g i nto s e rv ic e b ette r tho
few e r m en an d gi v e u s b ett e r th o fe we r l aw s
,
.
.
.
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
.
,
.
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
H o w to G et It
How sh al l w e get a n i mp rov e d sy s t em o f stat e gov e rn m ent ?
No t by bei ng fo r ev e r s ati s fi ed w it h o u r cen tu ry -O l d sy st em
Th e
comm i ss ion gov ern ment o f ci t ie s i s an obj ect l es son an d st i l l
f u rthe r p l an s o f l oc a l go ve rn m en t a r e de sti n e d to b e i ntro d uce d
i n th e n ea r futu re Th es e t h i ng s h av e cal l e d att ent ion to o ur
d efect iv e sy stem o f stat e gov ernm en t an d from yea r to y ea r
di s sati s fact ion w i th th e ol d p l an w i l l in c rea s e u nt i l an im p ro ve
ment sh al l b e mad e
H o n U S U R en ha s b een t ryin g to int ro d uce qu i te an
el abo rat e i mp roved sy ste m o f stat e gove rn ment i n O r ego n th r u
th e in it i at i v e fo r s ev e ra l yea r s pa st b ut i t h a s n o t yet be en
accepted by th e el ecto rate It e stabl i sh e s a si ngl e hou s e o f 5 0
membe r s el ecte d by a n i ngen iou s sy st em o f p ropo rt iona l r ep t e
sc utat ion I t i s h i s p u rpo s e to p ut i t b e fo re th e e lecto rat e aga in
i n 1 91 4 W e w ou l d p refer a smal l e r hou se an d a s i mp l e r sy s
tem ; b u t i t n o w se em s l ik ely th at O regon w i l l b e th e fi r st stat e
to actu a ll y p ut i nto op e rat ion a stat e l egi sl at u r e o f a si ngl e h o u se
A s n ot e d i n l a st E qu ity p age 1 2 2 G ov erno r H odge s o f Kan
sa s h a s p rop o s ed a s m al l e r l egi sl at ure o f a s i ngl e h ou s e b u t h e
om it s th e n ece s sa ry contro l featu re s t h e i n it i at i v e re fe ren d um
an d r ecal l Al so h e cann ot reason ab ly exp ect th e l egi sl atu r e t o
co m m i t s u i ci d e T h e agency th r u w h i ch s uc h a ch ange i n stat e
gove rnment m u s t b e gotten i s th e c o n s tfi utio n al i ni ti at i v e o r a
.
,
.
,
"
.
’
.
.
.
'
,
.
,
.
.
,
.
.
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
.
'
,
8
S H O RT B A LLO T
84
c on st itu t ion al con venti on Kan sa s ha s not th e pop u l a r i ni tiat i ve
i n any for m an d a con sti tut ional con venti on i s not vet se ri ou sly
p rop o sed
I n Col o rad o a con st itut i on a l amen dment i s be i ng i n iti at ed
p rov i di ng fo r f ewe r el ect i ve stat e offi ce rs an d a stat e manage r
b u t i t doe s n ot aff ect th e l egi sl atu re I t i s a S ho rt B al l ot m ea s
u re goo d a s fa r a s i t goe s b ut i t m i s se s th e ch i e f feat u re t o be
de s i red an d th at i s a ra di ca l mod i fi cati on o f th e p re sen t awkwa rd
A s Co lo rado h a s th e
an d un sat i sfacto ry l egi sl at i ve syst em
i n st r ument th e i n i tiat i v e ( wh i ch Kan sa s h a s not ) Col o rado i s
a favo rabl e stat e i n wh ic h to pu sh a compl ete reo rgani z at i on o f
state go v ern ment
I n M i nn e sot a th e re i s som e s en t i ment i n favo r o f a mo d i
fi ca tio n o f th e p res ent state gove rnment but th e s ent i ment h a s
no t yet b ecome c ry stal i z e d n o r dyn am i c
I n North C a rol ina a
comm i s si on i s c on si de ri ng chan ge s i n th e con stit uti on w h i ch
m ay p os si bly aff ect th e p l an o f state gove rn m en t
A n d wh en
t h e co m m i ss i on i s ready to rep o rt a n extra s es s io n o f th e l egi s
A mong th e m any state s i n wh ic h a con
l atu r e w i l l b e cal l ed
I nd i ana i s th e on ly
s t itut io n a l con ven t i on h a s b een con si d e red
A vote o n th e
o ne i n wh i ch a de fi n ite p rov i s ion h a s b een m ad e
p rop o sit ion w i l l be taken a t th e reg u la r Nov embe r el ect i on i n
1 91 4
and i f ca rr i ed d el egat e s w i l l be el ected l at e r Ho w e ve r
I nd ian a h a s b een s o backwa rd i n i mp roved p l a n s o f c i ty g o v
er n m en t an d i n regard to th e i n it i at i ve
re fe ren du m an d recal l
w e fea r th at th e convent i on i f i t conven e s i n 1 91 5 w i l l n o t be
su ffi ci entl y p rogre s si v e t o ad opt any o f th e sugge st ion s con
f ai ne d i n th i s a rt icl e
W e m u st l ook fo r a begi nn in g i n t h e reo rga n i z at io n o f state
gov ernm ent i n t h os e s tate s wh i ch h a ve th e con st itut i ona l i n it i
at i ve an d i n t h o se state s w h ic h w il l ca ll a con st i tut ion al c o n ven
t i on i n th e n o t d i st an t f ut u re L e g i s l at u re s w i l l n ot l ook u pon
th e m ovemen t wit h favo r T h e mo st p rom i si ng c on st i tut ional
i n iti at i ve state s fo r th i s movem ent s e em to be O regon an d Col o
rad o A ri z on a i s too n ew w ith h e r p re se n t con st itut i on Oh io
recen tly h a d a con st itut iona l con v ent ion an d a d opte d 36 amend
m ent s an d M ain e ha s not th e con st it ut iona l i n it iat i ve Pe n n sy l
van ia N ew J e r sey an d Ne w Yo rk h ave been con s i d e ring con sti
bu t w e h ope th ey w i l l n o t act ual ly come
t ut io n a l con vent ion s
u nti l th i s mo vem en t h a s su ffi c i ent st rength to comma n d se ri ou s
con s i d erat ion an d ado pt ion i n pa rt at l ea st by th e con vent ion s
.
,
.
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
,
.
,
.
,
.
,
.
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
,
.
s
'
,
.
.
.
,
.
,
,
'
,
,
,
S H O R T B ALL O T
86
u n n i n g t h e s t at e Th e p eo p l e s h o u l d n o t b e g o v e rn ed b y ex p e rt s
a n y m o r e t h a n b y m i ll i o n a ir es o r p o l i ti c a l b o ss e s
Th e p r o b l em o f dem o c
r ac y i s h o w to m a ke w ea l t h p o l iti c i a n s a n d ex p erts th e s er v a n t s i n st e a d
T h is c an b e d o n e b y th e in iti a t i v e a n d
o f t h e m a st e rs o f th e p e o p l e
r efer e n d u m c i v i l s er v i c e r efo r m app o i n t m e n t o f c o m m i ssi o n ers r ec a l l b y
th e p eo p l e
f r om
r
.
.
,
.
,
,
,
.
O u r sch e m e i s th a t th e s ma ll s ing le h o us e sh a l l a pp o i nt al l
c o mm i s sion s a n d e xp e rt s an d a l so a l l s tat e a d m i n i st rat iv e o i
fi c er s p ro b a bl y i nc l u d i n g th e go v e rno r i f a gove rn o r sh oul d be
n ee d e d P ro b a bl y it w o u l d s e l ec t o ne o f i t s ow n m embe r s a s
p r es i de nt o f that b o d y to b e kn o w n a s th e p r e s i di n g gov e rnor
th e b o d y to b e k no w n a s th e b o a r d o f go ve rno r s T h i s b o d y o f
from 1 5 to 2 1 m e m be rs i f cho se n i n a m an n er to t ruly focu s
th e e l e cto ra te w ou l d b e th e p ro p e r b ody to m ake l a w s a pp oi nt
a d m i n i st rato r s o f t h e l a w s i nc l u d i n g th e j u d i c ia ry a n d a pp oi n t
com m i s s ion s an d a l l e xp e rt s fo r s p ec i a l se r v i c e u nl e s s th e
se l ect i o n o f e xp e rt s b e l e ft to t h e a d m i n i st rat i v e h ea d s o f d e p art
m e nt s I n any sch e m e o f gove rnm e n t t h e
R a n d R sh ou l d
e x i s t amon g t h e p r i mary r i gh t s o f th e p eo p l e ; b ut i n a sch em e
l i ke t h e a b ov e th e occa s i on to u s e th em w o u l d b e ve ry se l d om
T he co nsc i o u sn es s on th e p a rt o f a l l offi c e r s tha t th e p eo p l e
c an u s e th em a t a ny t im e wou l d k e e p t h em con stant l y u p t o th e
,
,
,
.
'
,
,
.
'
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
.
.
.
:
m a rk
o f be st se rv i ce
T h i s p l an o f gove rnm ent w o u l d sto p gra ft an d c o rr u p tion
‘
a n d g i v e efli c ien cy I t s e em s th a t P ro fe s so r C ommon s p l an
wou l d l ea v e th e l eg i s l at u r e s j u s t a s th ey a re w h ic h i s a g ra v e
d e f e ct o f a ny p rogre s si v e p l an
.
'
.
.
.
COUNTY GOVERNM E NT
Fi r s t C o n f e r en c e fo r B e t t e r C o u n t y G o v e r n m e n t in N ew Y o r k
S t a t e , N o v em b er 1 3 -1 4, 1 91 4
P r o c eed i n g s
6
pp
5 73
.
Co up ty M a nage r P l a n
.
R i ch a rd S
.
.
Ch i l d s
.
.
C on si d e r no w w hat th e p eo p l e o f a co unty i n N e w Yo rk
s tat e a r e u p aga i n st i f th ey se e k to co nt r o l th e p re s e nt ty p e o f
cou nty go v e rn m e nt T h e re i s th e b oa r d o f s u p e rvi sor s th e
co unty c le rk t h e co unty t re a su re r th e co unty s u p e r i nte n de n t o f
th e p oo r th e sh e ri ff d i st r i ct attorney a n d co ron e r a n d th e
county co u r t S omet im e s th e r e i s a su r rogate a n d co u nty com p
t r ol l e r i n a d d iti on S eve n cou n ty go v e rnm e nt s o r mo r e ; fo r
th e co ro n er e l ecte d b y t h e p eo p l e i s a se p a rate gove r nm ent a ll
by h i m s e l f w i th no on e w h o ca n gi v e h im o r d e rs n o o ne w h o
c an e x c e p t o n p a p e r co
m
p
e
l
h
i
m
to
d
o
anythi
n
g
T
h
e
sh
e
ri
ff
i s an othe r l i tt l e co unty gove rnme nt al l by h im s el f a n d so i s th e
c o unty c l e rk an d a l l th e r e st A l l th e se se ve n go ve rn m e nts a re
to be Su r e l oos e ly conn ecte d u p to each oth e r by th e m o ral a nd
laten t p o w e r o f ce rtai n me mo r an d a cal l e d l a w s t h e e x act natu re
o f w h ic h th ey o f tent i me s
see m to kn o w l i ttl e ab o ut th e r ea l
b o n d i ng f o rc e o f th e cou nty b e i ng o fte n t rad i tion rath e r th a n
law
.
,
,
,
,
,
.
.
'
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
.
,
,
,
,
.
Ca n Th o s e -P r o per ly
Q u a lifi ed Ofiic ia ls
Be
C h o s en b y
E l ec ti o n ?
T o cont r o l th e gov e rn m ent o f th e c o unty as n o w o r gan i z e d
th e p eo p l e m u s t se l ect com p etent an d ri gh t m ean i ng offi ci al s
fo r al l th e se offi c es o n e l ecti o n day ( Th e vote r i n h i s p o l l i ng
p l ace m u s t r un h i s p e n ci l d o w n th e l i s t o f can d i date s fo r each
o f th e sev e n o r n i n e o ffi c e s a n d p ick a w e l l qu al i fi ed p e r son
T h i s m ean s that h e m ust kno w someth i ng a b o ut th e q ual ifi c a
t ion s requ i re d fo r eac h i n d i vi d u a l o ffice a n d th e qual i fi cati o n s
s i x te e n o r e i ght ee n can d i date s A man w h o w i l l
o f f o u rte en
m a k e a goo d c o un ty t re a su r e r m igh t be a v e ry ba d m a n to
choos e fo r c o rone r an d vi ce v e r sa T h at i s th e th e o ry o f th e
vote r s p a rt in co u nty gove rnm e nt b u t that i s no t a l l A fte r
e lecti on the vote r i s s u pp o sed to sc ruti ni z e th e con d uc t o f e ach
.
.
.
,
,
’
.
.
'
,
.
88
S H O R T B A LL O T
th i s l i st o f offi c i al s an d see i f e ach o ffi c i a l mai nta in s a c o r
rec t t ech n i ca l stan da rd F o r a l l th e offi ce s a r e tech n ical offi c e s
w i th th e e x c e p t i o n o f th e s u p e rvi so r s T o be a com p etent c r i t ic
o f th e
tech n ica l abi l i ty o f se v en e igh t o r n in e such v a r ie d
o ffi ce rs
w i th s uch v a r i e d f u nc t i o n s i m p l i e s a n u n bel i e v abl e
a m o unt o f acq u a i ntance w i th c o u nty g o v e rn m en t i n it s d et ai l e d
ma nage m en t o n th e p a r t o f th e vote r
B ut w e a r e n o t th r o ugh e v e n no w w i th th e w o rk wh ich the
c o u nty p la n requ i r e s o f th e v ote r N o t o n ly mu st th e v o te r
b r i n g h i s sha r e o f p u b l i c o p i n i o n to bea r u p o n the con d u ct o f
e ach o f th e se se v en ei ght o r n i n e l i t tl e co u nty g o v e rn m e nt s b u t
i f o n e o f th e se l i ttl e g o v e r nm en t s qua r r el s w i th anoth e r l i t t l e
go v e r n ment th e v o te r m u st ta k e n o t i ce o f th e fact and by i n tel l i
ge n t p u bl ic c r itic i sm i nd u ce th e l ittl e go ve r n m e nt w h ich i s i n
th e w r o n g to y i e l d to th e l i ttl e g o v e r n me nt wh ich h a s th e r i gh t
s i de o f t h e d i s p u te I n o th e r w o r d s th e vo te r s o f th e c o u n t y
m u st n o t o nly st a nd o v e r e ach o f th e s e s e v e n l i ttl e g o v e r nm ent s
an d m a k e t h em o bey b u t m u st m ake th e m agre e i n th e i r o b ed i
en ce a nd w o r k h a r m o ni o usly fo r th e comm o n go o d T h e p e o p l e
o f th e c o unty c o n sti t u te th e o n e p l ac e w h e re th e bi g l in e s o f
d i r ect c o nt r o l a re f o c u s sed T h ey a re in the o r y th e u n i fy ing
f o r ce a n d th e o nl y on e
of
.
,
.
,
.
.
,
,
.
,
,
.
.
.
T h e N eed
fo r
S t r o ng E x ec u tiv e
a
No w to m a k e th es e se v e n g o v e rnmen ts wo r k i n u n i so n i s a
,
ta s k w h ich w o u l d k ee p a st r o ng ch i e f e x ec u ti v e p r etty b u sy
s o m etim e s A c o m m i t tee o r b o a rd w i t h co m p l ete p o we r o v e r
th e se se v en l i ttl e g o v e r n m ent s w o u l d p robably n o t be n i m bl e
eno u gh f o r th e ta s k a nd w o u l d e nd by l e a v i ng m o s t o f t he
d eta i l s to s o m e o n e p e r s o n s e l ecte d by th e m to gi v e a l l h i s
t i me to th e ta s k A g r o u p l et u s s ay o f 1 00 p e r s o n s m ee t i ng
u nde r th e f o rm s o f p a r l i a m e nt a r y l a w w o u ld be b a ffl ed e v en
m o r e th a n a smal l c o m mi tte e a n d i n f ac t wo u l d be c o m p el l ed
to d o th e w o r k th r o u gh c o m m it t e e s in o r d e r to get i t d o n e a t
al l A great m a s s m ee ti ng o f
v o te r s wo u ld e x p e ri e nce
st i l l gre a te r d iffi c u lti e s i n t ryi ng to h a nd l e d et a il s In fa c t i t
c o u l d d o h a r d l y a nyth i ng e x c e p t to c r eat e a c o m m itte e a n d g o
h o m e T h e p e o p l e o f th e c o u nty to o n u m e r o u s to meet i n a
s in gl e h al l scatt e re d m o reo ve r t h r o u gh o u t th e c o u nty o ve r a
c o ns i d e r a bl e d i s ta nc e h a vi ng no s i ngl e c o m m o n m ed i u m o f
c o m m u n i c a t i o n bei ng n o t e ven s u b sc ri be rs to t h e same n ew s
.
.
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
.
.
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
S H O R T B ALLO T
90
p ow e r s i s i m p o r ta nt e ve ry wh e re A gove rnme nt i n w h ich a l l
p a rt s a r e p ro p e r l y co ord i nate d u n de r th e d i r e ct io n o f a s ingl e
co nt ro ll i ng b ra i n w i l l b e a n ea s i e r go ve rn m ent fo r th e p eo p le
t o cont ro l th a n th e l oo se -j oi nte d ra m shac k l e o f m u tua l ly i nd e
p e nde nt p o w e rs w h i ch w e no w c al l co u nty go v e rnm e n t
O nly
by u n i ti n g an d con so l i dati ng th e p ow e r s o f th e c o u n ty ca n w e
ge t a w ay f ro m su p i ne j e l ly fi sh d i sobe d i e nce P re s e n t cou nty
gove rnme nt s a re som eth i ng l i k e a n a utomo b i l e w i th a s e p a rate
moto r a t e ve ry w h e el e ach g o i ng i ts o wn g a it p e l l -mel l dow n
th e road w i th M r V ot e r i n th e d r i ve r s sea t hangi n g on w i th a
s ic k ly sm i l e w h i l e h e t ri es to c o nt ro l a d o ze n l e v er s w i th onl y
t w o h an d s an d f e e t
.
-
,
.
.
,
,
,
’
.
,
.
C o un ty N eeds
a
H ea d
N o w i f w e ca n k e e p a way f rom th e o l d fash io ne d doct r i nai r e
th e o r i e s w h i ch h a v e m a de s o m uch t ro ub le fo r th i s n at i o n i n
th e l a s t h u nd re d yea rs w e sh ou l d b e ab l e to ag r e e th at the
c ounty l i k e a ny othe r o rgan i zation p ri vate o r p ubl ic n ee d s a
c h i e f e x ec u t i v e w i th a pp o i nti ve p ow e r ove r a l l oth er adm i n i s t ra
t iv e o ffi ci a l s
N o t u n ti l al l t h e o ffi c ial s hav e a si ngl e c o mmo n
su p e r i o r o n th e j o b a l l th e t i me w i th p l e nty o f a u tho ri ty o v e r
th em can th e y be c om p el l e d to w or k i n m u tua l ha rmony A ny
noti o n th a t th e a rm s an d l e gs o f th e cou nty c an ma k e each oth e r
w o rk h a r mon i o u s l y by th e th re at o f mandam u s p roceed ing s a nd
sim i l ar l ega l re so r t s to tho s e p ri nte d m e m o r a n d a ca l le d l aw s
i s th u s d i sca rded B ut o f co u r s e w e a r e not goi ng to ve st the
go ve rnme nt o f th e co u nty i n a s i ngl e d e s p o t e l e cte d by the
p eo p l e fo r a fi x e d te rm f o r th at syste m wo u l d ha ve o b v i o u s
fau lts o f i t s ow n , i na s m uch a s th e d e s p ot w o u l d h ave
e le ct ive e x ecu t i v e h e l d i n m o re o r l e s s r e st rai n t th ro u gh th e
n ece s sity o f o b tai n i n g th e c o -o p e rati on o f a b o a r d o f su p e rv i so rs
co r re s p o n d ing to th e mayo r an d co u nc i l o f o l d s ty l e c i ty gov
T h e re h a s bee n am p l e e xp e r i e nce to s ho w tha t th e
e rn m en t s
atte m p t to secu re a g o o d ch i e f e x ec u t i v e by p o p u l ar el ecti on i s a
f a i l u re I t al w ay s gi ve s u s a t r a n si e n t am ate u r w ho ne v e r
rea l ly l ea rn s h i s j ob beca u se h e i s n o t al l o w e d to stay o n the
j o b l on g e nou g h I t a l w ay s re s ul ts i n th e d ev el o p me nt u nd e r
”
“
suc h a sh i fty ch ie f e x ecut i ve o f a sy stem a mong the p e rma
”
“
n ent subo rdi na te s a sy ste m w h ic h d e fi e s the con tro l o f th e se
t ran s i en t e x e cut i ve s a n d th u s d e fi e s the c o nt ro l o f th e p eo p l e
wh o e l e cted that ch i e f e x ec u ti v e
,
.
,
‘
,
,
,
.
,
.
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
.
,
,
.
,
,
.
S H O R T BA LL O T
Exa
m
pl
e
91
S et b y th e S h o r t B a l l o t C ities
T h e l a rge c i t i e s h ave b ee n a l l th ro ug h th at p h ase a n d a r e
aband o n i ng th e e l e cti v e c h i e f e x ecu t i ve o r m ayo r and movi n g
o n w a r d t o th e ty p e o f g o v er nme n t i n w h i c h th e ch i e f e x ec u ti v e
i s a pp o i nte d an d h el d subj ect to th e co nt i nu ou s s u p e rv i s i o n o f
t h e j oi nt m i n d o f a boa r d o r comm i s s i o n A cco r d i ng l y l e t u s
loo k f o r wa r d to a ti m e w h en cou nti e s w i ll b e gov e rn e d by a
s m al l boa rd o f su p e rv i s o r s a boa r d sm al l e nough so th at each
membe r w i l l b e a r eal ly i m p orta n t o ffi ce r w i th p ow e r e nough i n
th e g o ve r nm ent to m a k e i t w ort h w h i l e fo r th e p eo p l e to s c r u ti
n i z e th e ca n d i dat e c a re f ul ly an d w atch h i m a fte r el ect i o n A
boa r d o f th re e o r fi v e o r s even w i l l b e bette r th an a b o a r d o f
t w enty o r t w enty -fi v e o r th i rty becau s e y o u m u s t h ave con si d e r
abl e p ow e r a ttach e d t o a p u b l i c o ffi ce be fo re i t w i l l attract ca n
d i date s o f fi rst-c l a s s tal ent a n d be for e i t w i l l b e con s p i cuo u s
e n o ugh to c atch th e p u bl i c eye
L et th i s sma l l b oa r d o i s u p e r v i s or s p o s se s s a ll th e p o w e r s
n o w v e ste d i n a l l o ffi c e r s o f th e cou nty e x c e p t th e co u nty j ud g e
P ut u p o n th em th e re s p on s ib i l i ty fo r al l o f th e wo r k o f th e
county P e rmi t th e m to h i re th ei r co u nty m a n age r f r om any
whe r e in th e U n i te d S tate s an d to p ay h i m w h ate v e r sal a r y th ey
b e l i e v e n ece ssa ry in o rde r to secu re th e requ i si te a b i l i ty T he
c o u nty ma nage r w i l l a pp o i nt i n tu rn an d co ntro l al l o th e r
c o u nty offi c ial s a n d em p l oy e e s subj ect to c i vi l se rv i c e regu l a
ti o ns T h e c o u n ty manage r w i l l h a v e no p o w e r o f h i s o wn n o
i n de p en de nc e o f h i s s u p e r i o r H e i s th e i r e x e cut i v e age nt I f
t h e n e w boa r d o f s u p e rvi so r s te l l s h i m to t a k e mo ne y o u t o f
th e t rea su ry an d s p e n d i t fo r p ea nut s h e m u st s p en d i t for
p ea n u t s o r t a k e a ch anc e o f l o si ng h i s j ob T h e su p e rvi so r s
w ho h i re h i m can a l so fi re h i m
'
,
,
.
,
,
.
,
.
'
.
,
.
.
,
,
,
.
,
.
.
,
.
.
Wha t
a
“
C o u n ty M a nag er
”
W o u ld
D
O
T h e c o u nty man age r n at u r al ly w ou l d b e e xp ecte d to re l iev e
the s u p e rv i so r s o f al l d et ai l a n d i f t h ey fo u n d h i m t ru st w o rth y
an d d evote d to th e i r se rvi ce th ey w ou l d p ro b a bl y l eav e h i m
c o n si de rabl e d i screti on b u t th ey w o ul d h ave to t ake th e r espo n
s ib il ity fo r h i m i f h e p roved to b e fo ol i sh o r w eak o r d i sh on e s t
T hi s n e w boa rd o f s u p e r v i so r s w o u l d h ave th e p o w e r to l evy
ta x e s an d s p e nd th e m W h e n it w as s p e n d i ng mo ney it w o u l d
h av e to r e m em be r that i t m u s t r a i se th at m on ey a n d face th e
,
,
,
,
.
.
S H O R T B ALLO T
92
p u b li c re s i stanc e to ta x e s O n th e oth e r h an d i n t r yi ng to k e e p
d o w n ta x e s i t w o u l d h a ve to rem em be r tha t th e p eo p l e wou l d
c r i tici s e i t i f i t w ent too fa r a nd sta r v e d th e c o u nty se r v i ce I t
w o u l d b e co nti nu a l ly bet w ee n t wo fi r e s ; th e d eman d fo r good
s e r v i c e a nd th e re s i sta nce to ta x e s No m atte r w h a t goe s w r o n g
th e s u p e rvi s o r s u nd e r th i s sch em e h a v e p o w e r to fi x i t an d ca n
fai rly be h el d r e s p on si bl e i f th ey fai l to h a v e i t fi x e d a fte r
.
,
.
.
,
,
i t h a s be e n cal l e d to th ei r atte nti on
L o ca l N u l l ifi ca tio u
.
o
f S ta te L a ws
I n th i s p la n o f go v e rnm en t o n e fa ul t i nhe r e n t i n the co u nty
w o u l d sti l l r e m ai n T h e su p e r v i so rs w o u l d ha v e two m a ste r s
i e th e p eo p l e o f th e co unty a n d th e state go v e r nm e nt wh ich
i s con ti nu al l y ma k i n g l aw s fo r th e m to e n fo rc e T h e w o r k o f
t h e sh e r i ff d i st ri ct a tto r ney an d th e c o u nty j u d ge i s rea l ly no t
c o u nty wo r k at a l l e x ce p t geog r a p h ica lly
I t i s rea l ly s t ate
w o r k A l tho u gh e l ecte d by the p e o p l e o f th e c o u nty th ey a re
w o r k i n g fo r th e p eo p l e o f th e s tate W e h a d an i nte re stin g
i n st a nce o f th at rece ntly w h en th e d i st r i ct atto rney s o f al l th e
v a ri o u s co u nti e s i n New Yo r k sta t e w e re u p agai n s t th e p r o p o
s it i ou o f p ro sec u t i ng th e a l l eged f ra u d s o n th e s tate h igh way s
a n d i t wa s sa i d th a t th ey cou l d n o t b e r el i ed o n to hand l e tha t
w o r k bec a u se o f th e e xp en se T h e r e w a s a ca s e w he re s o me
o f th e c o u nti e s fl atly d e cl i ne d to b u r d en th em sel ve s w i th the i r
r e s p o n s i bi l i ti e s to th e state a t l a r ge a nd th e r e wa s no e ff ect i v e
w ay o f m aki ng th e co u nti e s obey th o s e p r i n te d m e m o r a nd a
c a l l e d la w s w h ich I h ave p re v i o u sly re fe r re d to T h e l oca l
n u l l ifi ca tio n o f l aw s th ro u gh th e fa i l u r e o r ho st i li ty o f th e c o u n
t i e s i s a co m m on p h e n o m en o n i n A me r i ca a nd to tha t i s d u e
T o th a t i s d u e m u c h
m uch o f o u r d i sre s p ect fo r th e w r itte n l a w
wh e re th e
o f the c a r el e s s p as si ng o f u n p o p u l a r l a w s a t A l bany
"
“
a s s e m blym a n ch e e r fu l l y e xp l ai n s :
W el l i t w o n t be en f o r ce d
T h e g o v e rno r by h i s a pp ro va l h el p s to m ak e th e l a w a nd i t i s
mad e h i s d u ty to se e th at th e l a w s a re e n f o r c ed Yet the j u dge s
d i st ri ct atto r n ey s a n d sh e r i ff s wh o a re n o m i na l ly h i s age nt s a r e
p u t wh e r e th ey c a n l a u gh at h i m a nd th e g o v e rno r i s hel p l e ss
u n l e ss th e s i tu a t i on get s s o ba d that h e f eel s j u s t i fi e d i n u ti l i zi ng
th e r a r e ly u s ed w h i p w h i ch t h e c o n stit u ti o n gi v e s h i m i n t h e
In act u a l p r ac t i ce a s we
p o we r o f r em o v a l o f s u ch o ffi ce r s
k n o w th e g o v e rn o r ra re ly e x e rc i s e s a ny i n fl u e nc e o n the se n o m i
a n d they g o th e i r o wn sw e et w ay
n a l agent s o f h i s
.
.
.
,
,
,
.
,
.
,
.
.
,
.
,
.
,
,
.
,
'
.
,
,
.
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
S H O R T B ALL O T
94
th e m o st ha pp y re s u l t to be obta i ne d by th e co unty man
a ge r p l an i s th e w i p i ng ou t o f th e ra nk i nj u stic e i nh e re n t i n the
p re sen t m ech an i sm w h e r e o ffi c ia l s a re d am ne d fo r th ings th ey
d i d not do an d p rai se d fo r th i ng s w h i ch th e y co ul d no t h e l p ;
wh e re goo d w o r k goe s u nnoti ce d a n d ba d w o r k too ; w h e re
o ffi c i al s a re bl a me d fo r th i ng s th ey cou l d not h el p b ec au se th e
v i ta l c o -o p e rati on o f so m e othe r co un ty offi ce r w a s l ac k i ng
T he r e w i l l be no mo re sh e r i ff s w ho depl o re th e cond i t i o n o f th e i r
j a i l s an d c ann o t ge t mon ey to ma ke th e m r i gh t a nd n o m or e
boa rd s o f su p e rvi so r s w h o gi ve th e sh e r i ff m oney enough bu t
ca n t make h i m s p e nd it j ud ic i ou sly W h en th e l i n e s o f respo n
s ib il ity a re c l e a r
a nd st ra igh t an d s i m p l e w e w i l l fin d o u r
c o u nty go v e rnm ent s i n a ne w a n d b righte r atmo s p he re l igh te d
u p by th e h eal thy sc r u ti ny o f t h e w ho l e p e o p l e
B ut
.
,
,
.
'
,
,
’
.
,
,
.
S h o r t B a l l o t B ull et i n
P e r sona l S ugge sti o n
.
1 :
No 7
.
.
F e b ru a r y ,
2 -3.
fo r a M od e l C o u nty
.
1
91
2
R icha r d S C h i l d s
.
R ul e s fo r p l a n n i ng a cou nty o r any gove rnme n t :
1
T h e ta x l evy i ng an d ta x s p en d in g b od i e s sh o u l d be on e
( a ) S o th at it w i l l h a v e th e p o w e r to r a i s e mo ney ne e d e d to
gi v e goo d se rv ic e —i f th e p ubli c d ema nd s good se rvic e
( b ) S o th at i t w i l l h ave p o w e r to com p e l econ omy o f s e rv ic e
i f th e p ub l i c d emand s l o w ta x e s
T h e bal lot sho u l d b e sh o rt a n d th e el ec t i ve offi c e rs a l l
2
con s p icuou s
I n o th e r w o r d s p u t th e offi c ia l s b etw e e n tw o fi r e s "
T h e p ow e r th at m a k e s th e l a w sh ou l d be ob l ige d to fac e
3
th e p ub l i c re s i stance to i t s e n fo rc em e nt
( a ) S o th at p ubl ic re se nt m ent w i l l ac t onl y o n tho s e w h o
h ave p o we r to a m end the l a w
-e n forc e
n
o
t
fi
b
th
at
la
w
s
w
i
l
l
be
n
u
l
l
i
e
d
by
l
oca
l
non
S
o
( )
m en t
A s a j u d i ci al u ni t th e co u nty e n fo rce s state -mad e l aw s T h e
p eo p l e o f th e cou nty sho ul d n ot h av e p o w e r to n u l l i fy a s tatute
by e l ec ting a l o ca l j u dge sh e r i f o r p ro se cu ti ng atto rney p l ed ged
A p ubl i c se nti ment h o sti l e to
to i gn o re o r s ofte n a state l a w
th e la w sho u l d fi nd n o ve nt save a gai n st th e l oca l m embe r s o f
th e l egi s l at u re w ho have p ow e r to c o r rec t th e la w at it s sou rce
i n th e l egit imat e w ay A s county co u rt s can not s e t a si de o r
.
.
.
.
.
.
,
.
.
.
.
.
,
.
,
.
S H O R T B AL L O T
95
m o d i fy statu te s t h e se nt i men t i n f a v o r o f e l ect i n g j u d ge s beca u s e
o f the i r p ract i c al l y l eg i s l at i ve p o w e r s d oe s not a pp l y
T h e re
fo r e l et th e co u nty j u d ge s be a pp o i nte d by th e gove rno r
le t th e c ou rt a pp o i n t i ts o w n c l e rk a nd i t s o w n s h er i ff to
kee p p r i sone r s e x ecut e wa r rants su mm o n s an d ca rry ou t
s e ntence s M ake th e p ro secu ti n g a tto rney a n a pp o i nti v e
s u b o rd i n at e o f th e attorn ey -ge n e ra l o f th e st ate w ho i n tu rn
s h o u ld be a pp o i nte d b y th e gov e rno r L et t h e p ro secu t i ng at
to rn ey h av e a s m uch o f th e s h e r i ff s p o w e r a s h e n e e d s to get
w i tne s s e s an d e v i d e nce an d to make a r re s ts
T h u s fa r w e hav e rough l y fo ll o w e d i n the state th e f e d era l
p l a n th e cou nty cou rt s be i ng p a ral l el to th e fe de ra l d i str i c t
cou rt s th e s h e r i ffs to th e fe d e ra l ma rsha l s th e p ro secut i ng
attorn ey to th e di st r i ct atto rn ey T h e state w i l l p ay a ll t h e b i l l s
0f th e j u di c ia l sys te m ma inta i n th e cou rth ous e s p r i so n s e tc
T h e county c l e rk d oe s wh at the stat e requ i re s T h e state
th ere f or e s h ou ld p ay th e bi l l s an d a pp o i nt th e c l erk mak i ng h i m
th e l oca l m em b e r o f t h e s ta ff o f t h e s ec re ta ry o f st at e w ho i n
tu rn s h o u l d be a pp o i nte d by th e gove rno r
A s a b u s i ne s s u n i t fo r m a i nta i n i ng ro a d s sc h oo l s e tc t h e
cou nty i s p u re l y l oca l i n f u nct i on an d i t shou l d a utho r i z e t h e
b o ar d o f s u p e rv i so rs to d o th e w ork an d co l l e c t th e n e c e s s ary
t a x e s to p ay f o r i t T h e s u p e rv i sor s s h ou l d h ave p o w e r to h i re
an d fi re for w i tho ut th i s p ow e r th ey cannot com p e l effi c ie ncy
i n su b o r di nat e s o r b e h el d re s p o n s i b l e fo r th e ta x rat e T h ey
a pp o i nt th e i r o wn trea sfiurer su r veyo r road c o mm i ss io ne r s etc
A b o l i sh th e cou nty a u d i to r an d e sta b l i sh a s tate ex am in er
u n d e r th e a pp ro p r i ate m e m be r o f th e gove r no r s ca b i n e t w i th
p ow e r to in v esti gat e an d c r i t i c i z e a ny co unty m an agem ent a t a ny
t i m e a n d re p o rt to t h e p u bl i c but not to i nte r fe re o r d i cta te
I n ma ny w e l l s e tt l e d p a rt s o f th e co unt ry the re a re no p u re l y
b u s i n e s s f unct i on s o f th e cou nty w h i c h cou l d n o t eas ily an d
a pp ro p r i ate l y b e tak e n ov e r b y th e s eve ra l c i t i e s a n d to wn sh i p s
the re i n T h i s s h ou l d b e d o n e w h e r e p o s s ibl e w h e reu p on th e
c o u nty a s a p o l i t i ca l e nti ty w o u l d d i sa pp e a r ent i re l y N obo d y
w ou ld mo u rn b u t th e p o l i t i c i an s w hos e st o ute st a n d mo st p i c
tur es que c i ta d e l w ou l d b e de stroye d
.
,
'
,
,
'
.
,
.
’
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
,
.
,
,
.
,
.
,
,
.
,
.
,
,
.
,
’
,
.
,
'
'
.
,
_
'
.
,
.
.
S H O R T B A LLO T
96
W o rl d
'
s
W o rk
Jul y
'
.
1
,
91 3
C o u nty C o m m i s s i o n G o v e rn m en t
A sh o rt b a l l ot and a s i m p l e a n d r e s p o n si b l e go ve r nm e nt a re
h o p e fu l p o l i ti ca l ten d enc i e s T he re a re two or th re e c i ti e s w i th
m an age r s a n d two o r th re e h u n d re d w i th com m i s s i o n fo rm o f
gove rn m en t E l e v e n gove rno r s th i s s p ri ng u rge d th e p ri nc i p l e s
o f th e S ho r t B a l l ot i n th e i r an n u a l m e s sage s
a n d th e G o v e rno r
“
o f K an s a s b e l i e ve s th at s tate s a s w e l l a s ci t ie s sh ou l d be ru l e d
”
by comm i s sion
I n th e meanw h i l e i n th e cou nt i e s a m o st i m p o rtan t b ut som e
w h a t neg l ecte d fi e l d o f gov e rnm ent th e n e w i d e a ha s ta ke n h ol d
O n J u n e 2 d l a st L o s A ng e l e s C ounty C a l to o k adva ntag e o f a
r e c e nt a men dmen t to th e s tate con sti tut i on tha t p e r m i t s co u nt i e s
to t ry th e si mp l i fi e d form o f go v e rnm en t I t l ea v e s on l y th re e
o ffi ce rs b e s i d e s th e su p e r v i so r s to b e e l ected : th e sh e r i ff th e
d i st r i ct atto rney an d th e a s ses so r T h e su p e rv i so r s a pp o i n t the
o the r e igh t cou nty Offi ce r s f r om
th e el i gib l e ci v i l se r v ic e l i st
T h e s u p e rv i s o rs c an a l so have a s m any o r a s fe w d e p u ti e s
c l e rks j an i tor s a nd th e l ik e a s th e cou nty s b u si ne ss requ i re s
i n stea d o f a n um be r fi x e d b y th e l egi sl at u re a s ha d b ee n th e
ca se fo rmer l y
T h e w hol e m ach in erv tha t ca rr i e s on th e county a ffa i rs i s
n ot on l y gi ve n a cha nce to b e p l i ab l e an d e l a sti c b ut i t i s at th e
sam e t i m e g r eatly redu ced a nd s i m p l i fi e d Fo r e x am p l e f o r
m e r ly th e sh er i ff an d th e co n st ab l e s w e re in d e p e n d e nt o f e ach
o th er
a n d a s th e i r d uti e s o v e r l a pp e d th ey w e re i n con stan t
con fli ct No w th e c on stabl e s a r e ex o fiic io d e p uty sh e r i ffs
A l l th e auth o ri ty i s i n th e ha nd s o f th e su p e r v i so r s an d a l l
th e re s p o n sib i l i ty i s u p o n th em T h e p e o p l e c a n t e l l w hom to
p ra i s e a n d w h om to bl ame w h o m to d e feat a t th e p ol l s and
w h om t o re e l ect ; an d th e bal l o t h as be e n s o s im p l i fi ed tha t th e re
w i l l b e l ittl e da n ge r o f th e v ot e r s c o n fu si n g th e i s su e
A n add i ti o n a l p u r p o se i n p utti ng th e comm i s sio n gove rn
m en t i n L o s A ngel e s C ou nty w h i c h m ay a l so b e cha racte r i sti c
”
“
e l s e w h e r e i s th e de si re to ge t coun ty hom e ru l e to f r e e th e
co u nty f r o m ri gi d adh e renc e to ge ne ra l st at e l a w s th a t h ave
been f r ame d at t h e d i sta n t ca p i tal
T h e o p e rat i o n o f th e p r o v i s i o n fo r a c o u nty r o ad c o m mi s
s io n er w i l l be w atch e d e ve ry whe re w i th g r ea t i nt e r e st
fo r th e
meth o d o f roa d c o n st r uct io n a nd mai nte na nce no w u n i ve r sa l in
.
.
,
.
,
.
,
.
,
.
,
,
.
.
,
.
,
.
,
,
,
’
,
,
,
,
.
.
,
,
‘
.
.
.
,
''
.
'
,
,
,
.
,
,
S H O R T B ALL O T
98
sa l a ri es o f f r o m fi v e t h o u sa n d d o w n to fi f t ee n h u n d r ed a y ea r w o u l d
h av e pe r fo r m ed t h a t w o rk m uch m o re effi c i en t l y an d g o tt en th e tax es
c o ll ec t e d w i t h a v e ry m uch s m a l l e r r e si d u u m o f a rr ea rs to b e c o l l ec t e d
b y s a l e t h a n th es e 2 1 2 wh o d i d n t k n o w v e ry m u ch ab o u t i t exc ep t h o w
th e o t h e r fel l o w h a d d o n e i t be fo r e t h em
I n ad eq u a t e a n d a n ti q u a t e d syst e m s o f acc o u n t i n g f o r p u bl i c f u n d s
V i o l a ti o n s e v a si o n s m isr ep r e se n t a t i o n s a n d n eg l ec t o f t h e l a w s
by
p u bl i c o ffi c ia l s —m a n y o f s u c h i rr eg u l a ri ti es u ni n t e n t i o n a l bec a u se th e
m en d i d n o t k n o w t h e y w e r e v i o l a tin g th e l a w
U n n ec e ss a ry si c k n es s a n d n ee d l e ss d ea th s f r o m p re v en t ab l e d i se a se s
d ue to i n a d eq u a t e s a n i t a ry i n sp ec t i o n a n d c o n tr o l
W as t e a n d ex tr av ag a n c e i n m a n y a dm in is tr a ti v e d ep a rt m en ts
C ap abl e o ffi c i a l s c o m p e l l e d to d e p a rt f r o m o r v ery f r ee l y in t erp r e t th e
l a w o r ev e n to o b t a i n sp ec i a l l e g i s l a t i o n to e n ab l e t h e m t o a ch i ev e effi c i en t
a n d ec o n o m i c a l s er v i c e
fo r
'
,
.
.
,
,
,
,
.
,
.
.
,
.
R e a l i z i n g th e gr o w i ng i m p ortanc e o f th e wh o l e s ubj e ct o f
cou nty go v e rn m en t th e New Yo rk S ho rt B a ll ot O rgan i zati on
h a s o rgan i z ed a s e ri e s o f con fe re nce s d u r i ng th e p r e se nt w i nt e r
at w h i ch v ar i ou s p h a se s o f county go v e rnm ent w i l l be d i sc u s sed
an d th e m e n w h o ha v e s p e ci a l i n fo rm at i on on p a rt i cu l a r su b
j ec ts w i ll be i n v i t ed to ad d re ss th e m em be rs O n e ve ry succ e ss
f u l m e e t i n g h a s a l re ady bee n h e l d T h e co n fe renc e w i l l d e vot e
cons i d e ra bl e di sc u s s i on to ac tual l egi slat i on to b e i nt rod u c ed
d u r i n g th e com i ng w i nt e r
T h e con str uct i v e p rob l e m i n New Yo rk stat e p re s e nt s i t s e l f
som ewh at i n th i s w ay : I n th e fi r st p l ace th e con st i t uti on b l o ck s
any th o roughgo i ng S ho rt B a l l o t re form by a r equi reme nt th at
th e county c l e rk th e d i st r ict att o rn ey th e sh e ri ff an d the reg i ste r
mu st be e l e c ti v e offi ce r s I t i s p roba bl e the re fore that one
m ea su r e to be p romoted i n th e n ea r futu r e w i l l be a c o n s titu
tio n a l am e ndm e nt w h i ch w i l l p e r mi t th e l e gi slatu re to d et e rm i ne
wh eth e r or not th e se cou nty offi ce r s s h all be e l ecti v e o r appo in t
iv e
In th i s w ay i t w ill b e l ega ll y p o s s ibl e to s ec u re th e p a s s age
any one
o f a lte rn at i ve s i m p l i fi e d form s o f cou nty o rgan i zati o n
m ay be a do p te d b y th e p e o p l e o f th e co unty by a
o f w h i ch
re fe ren d um v ot e
B ut e ve n u n de r th e con st i tut i o n a s i t sta n d s th e re i s p o s si bl e
a c e rta i n m e a su r e o f S ho r t B a ll ot r e fo rm and w hat i s p e rh a p s
equ a ll y i m p o rta nt th e g r e ate r u ni ficat i o n o f th e o ffi ci a l o rga ni
N e w Yo rk i s on e o f th o se f e w s ta t e s i n w h i ch the
z a t io n
county i s o rgan i z e d o n th e b a s i s o f th e t ow n sh i p p l an o f l oc al
r es po n
o v e r nment
T
h
e
ove
rn
i
n
b
od
y
o
f
th
e
coun
t
y
wh
ich
i
s
g
g
g
,
,
.
.
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
,
.
,
,
,
.
.
S H O R T B ALL O T
99
s ibl e fo r th e gene ra l fi n an ci a l ma n a g em en t o f i t s a Eai r s i s
compo se d o f t h e supe rv i so r s o f th e vari o u s to w ns
I n la rge
cou nti e s l ik e W e s tch este r E r i e an d On on dag a th e bo ar d o f s upe r
vi so r s o u thi s ba s i s i s an u n w i el dy bo d y whi ch h as n o con ti n u
o u s an d
in ti m ate co n n ecti o n w it h th e va ri ou s co u n ty o fi c er s
It i s th i s fa c t p e rhap s mo re th an an yt h ing e l se wh i ch exp l ai n s
th e difi c u lt ies po i nted o ut by M r Ca rt wr i gh t N o cou n ty o fi c er
rea l ly rep re sen ts th e u ni ty o f th e co un ty
T o r em edy th i s con d ition i t i s p ropo s e d to p re sen t a bi ll
p ro vi d in g fo r a n opti ona l fo rm o f cou n ty o rg aniz a ti o n i n w hi ch
th e gov e rn i n g bo dy w i ll c o n s is t o f a bo ar d o f th re e su pe rv i so r s
el e ct e d at l a rge I n o rd e r t o gi ve thi s bo ar d a p o in t o f con ta ct
w i t h th e re s t o f t he o rg an iz a tio n p rov i sion w il l b e mad e fo r a
co u nty man age r t o a ct un de r th ei r di re ct i o n w h o wi l l appo i nt th e
sup e ri ntend en ts o f th e poo r an d th e co u nty t re as u r e r La te r o n
i f th e con st i t uti on al am en dm en t i s p as se d s ti l l gr eate r appo in ti n g
po w e r may b e con fe rr e d u po n t h i s o Eic er wh o w i l l al so be
p u rch a s ing agent an d b u dget co mm is sio n e r an d ex er ci se i n g en
e ra l th e range o f fun cti on s con fe rr ed u po n th e ci ty m an ag e r in
t h e c it i es o rga n i z ed un de r th e n e w system
,
.
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
.
,
.
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
N a ti o na l S h o rt B all ot O r ga niz ati o n
Fi rst S ho rt B al lo t Co unty
W h en th e g rea t po li ti ca l t u rn -o ve r too k p l ac e i n Ca l i fo rni a i n
1 91 0
a l egi s l atu r e w a s e l ect ed w hi ch ha d bee n comm i tt e d to a
n u mbe r o f p rog re ss i v e p ropo si ti on s a mong whi ch w as th e
S ho rt B a l l ot p ri nc ip l e S oo n th e qu e sti on ar o s e in th e p a r ty
”
“
?
ca u cu s :
H o w a re w e to app l y thi s p rin c ip l e to co un ti es
Cal i fo rnia h a s fifty -o dd co u n ti e s va ryi n g in po p ul ati on f rom
l e s s th a n fi v e h un dr ed to m o re th an fiv e h un dr ed th o u san d ;
th e re i s al so ev e ry c onc ei vab l e v ar i ati on o f p hys i ca l soc ia l an d
i n du str i al con d iti o n T h e co un ti e s h a d al l be en gov ern e d in
“
”
su bs tan ti al ly th e sam e way b y gen era l l aw s B ut ev e ry o n e
h ad its pec uli a r n ee ds so tha t i n o rd e r to avo i d spe cial l egi sl a
“
”
ti o n th e l eg i s l atu r e h a d p a s s ed a n u mbe r o f gen e r al l a w s
whi ch i n th e n atu r e o f th ing s cou l d on l y app l y to a singl e co u nty
T hi s h ad be com e a n ui sanc e
,
,
.
,
,
.
.
,
,
,
.
,
.
98
S H O R T B ALL O T
l
fi f tee n h u n d r e d a y ea r w o u l d
h av e p er fo r m ed th a t w o r k m uc h m o r e effi c ie n tl y a n d g o tten t h e tax es
a v er y m u c h s m all e r r e s i d u u m
c o ll ec t ed w i th
o f a r r ea r s to b e c o l l ec te d
b y s a l e th an th es e 2 1 2 wh o d id n t k n o w ve r y m uc h ab o u t i t ex c ep t h o w
th e o th e r fell o w h a d d o n e i t b e f o r e th e m
I n ad eq u at e a n d a n tiq u a te d s y s tem s o f ac c o u n t in g fo r p u bl ic f u n d s
by
V io l a t i o n s ev as io n s m is r ep r es e n t a ti o n s a n d n egl ec t o f t h e l a w s
i r r eg u l a r i t ies u n i n te n t io n a l
b ec au s e th e
p u bl ic o ffi c i al s —m an y o f s u c h
m en did n o t k n o w t h ey we r e v i o l a ti n g th e l a w
U n n ec es s a r y s ic k n es s a n d n e edl es s d e a th s f r o m p r ev en t abl e d i s eas es
d u e t o i n a deq u ate s a n i t ar y i n s p ec t i o n a n d c o n t r o l
W as t e a n d ex tr av ag a n c e i n m a n y a d m in is t r a tive d ep a rt m en ts
C apabl e o ffi c ia l s c o m p ell e d to dep a rt fro m o r v er y fr eel y in terp ret th e
l aw o r ev en to o b t a in s p ec ial l eg isl atio n to e n abl e th em to ac h iev e e ffi c i en t
a n d ec o n o mic a l s er v ic e
s a a r i es
fo r
of
f ro m fi v e th o u s a n d
d o wn
to
'
,
.
.
,
,
,
~
,
.
,
.
.
,
.
Real i zin g th e grow ing i mpo rtanc e o f t he w h ol e s ubj ect o f
cou nty go v ern m en t th e Ne w Yo rk S ho rt B al l ot O rgan i z at ion
ha s o rgan i z ed a se ri e s o f con fe rence s d u ring th e p resent w i nter
a t wh ich v a ri ou s p h a se s o f county gov e r nm ent w i l l be d i sc u sse d
an d th e m en w ho hav e spec i a l in fo rm at i on o n pa rti c u l a r sub
j ec ts w i l l b e i n vited to ad d re s s th e m embe rs On e ve ry s u cc e ss
f u l meet i ng h a s al ready been h el d T h e co n fe ren ce w i l l devote
con s i d erab l e d i sc u s s i on to act ual l egi slat ion to b e int rod u ced
d u ri ng th e com ing w inte r
T h e con st ructi v e p robl em i n N ew Yo r k stat e p re sent s it sel f
somewhat i n th i s w ay : I n th e fi r st p l ac e th e c on sti t ut io n b lo ck s
any th o roughgoi ng S ho rt B a l l ot r e fo rm by a requ i rem ent t h at
th e county cl e rk th e d i st rict atto rn ey th e sh e ri ff an d th e regi st e r
mu st b e el ect i v e o fii c er s I t i s p robabl e th e re fore that o n e
m ea su re to b e p romoted in th e n ea r futu r e w i l l be a c o n s t itu
t io na l am en dm ent w h i ch w i l l p ermi t th e l e gi slatu re to d et e rmi n e
wh eth e r o r no t th e se cou nty o ffi ce r s sh al l b e e l ect i ve o r appo in t
In th i s w ay i t w i l l b e l ega l ly po s sibl e to s ec u re th e pa s sage
iv e
any one
o f a lte rn at iv e s impl i fi e d form s o f cou nty o rgan i zat i on
m ay be a dopted by th e p eopl e o f th e co unty by a
o f wh ich
re fe ren d u m v ot e
B u t ev en u nd e r th e con st i tut ion a s i t stand s th e re i s po s s ibl e
a ce rta i n m ea su re o f S ho r t B a l l ot r e fo rm an d w hat i s p e rh ap s
equ al l y i mpo rtant th e g reate r u n i ficat ion o f th e o fii c ial o rgan i
Ne w Yo r k i s on e o f th o s e few stat e s i n w h ich th e
z at io n
coun ty i s o rgan i z ed on t h e ba si s o f th e t own sh i p pl an o f local
re spo n
h
f
o
ve
rn
ment
Th
e
gove
rn
i
ng
body
cou
nty
wh
ich
i
s
e
o
t
g
,
,
.
.
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
,
.
,
,
,
.
.
"
S H O RT B A LL O T
1 00
H o m e R ul e fo r C o u n l ies
No w th e r il ier o f Ca l i fo rn i a for o ve r th i rty y ea rs h a d enj oyed
th e p ri vi l ege o f m an aging fo r th em sel ve s al l th e i r st rictly l oc a l
“
”
a ffai r s u nde r th e
h om e r ul e p rovi s io ns o f the con st itut io n and
had th r i ve d u nd e r th e sy st em
T h e cou nti e s o n th e cont ra ry
w e re enth ral l e d by th e th eo ry wh ich i s pa rtly a fi ct ion th at th ey
w e re m e re c i vi l d i v i si on s o f th e s tat e and m u st be ri gi d ly c on
t ro l l e d by state a u tho rity B u t th e l egi s latu r e o f 1 9 1 0 sa w th e
cou nty p robl em i n a n ew l i gh t Th ey kn e w th at th e re were a
n u mbe r o f s ubj ect s wh ich th e l ocal el ecto rat e and th e l ocal
a uth o ri ti e s cou l d p a ss upon fa r mo r e i ntel l i gently th an l egi sla
t o r s com in g from a s ecti on o f t h e st at e pe rh aps s even h u n d red
m i l e s away S o th ey f rankly subm itt ed t o th e peopl e o f th e
st at e a p ropo si t ion fo r l i m it ed con st i tu ti on al h om e ru l e fo r
co un ti es wh i ch mad e i t p o s sibl e fo r th e count i es t o d ec i d e upon
th e st ru ct u re o r f o rm o f th ei r o wn gov ernm en t an d to cont rol
th e coun ty o fli cer s a s th ey sa w fi t T h e am en dm en t w a s adopted
i n Oc tobe r 1 91 1
T h e p roc edu re u nd e r wh ic h th e n e w cha rte r may b e a dopted
i s v e ry si mi la r t o that by wh ich h ome -ru l e ch a rte r s may be
s ubm itte d i n th e c i ti e s O n p et it ion o f fi fteen pe r c en t o f th e
el ecto rs o r th e in it i at i v e o f th e bo a rd o f supe rvi so r s a n el ec
t i on o f a boa rd o f fi fteen freehol de rs i s h el d T h e f reehol der s
th en d ra ft a cha rt e r wh ich i s s ubm itt ed to t h e peop l e fo r rat i
Th e ch art e r m u st th en go t o t h e l egi sl atu re fo r
fi c atio n
rej ect i on a s a w hol e ( th ey cann ot amend i t i n
a pp rova l
or
d eta il s ) wh ich i n p ract ic e h ow eve r i s a
e rely fo rmal st ep
a s n o l egi s l at u re i n th i rty -th ree y ea r s ha s e ve r r ej ect ed a c ity
ch a rte r o r an am en dm en t to on e
.
,
,
,
,
.
.
.
,
,
.
.
,
.
,
,
.
.
m
,
,
,
,
,
.
Th e S ho r t B a l l o t P r in c ipl e
Th e cent ra l f eat u re o f th i s amend m ent i s t h e po w e r wh ic h it
gi ve s th e l ocal ity to d ete rmi n e w h eth e r th e o ffi ce rs o f th e c ou nty
excep t th e boa rd o f su p erv i so rs shal l be el ect i ve o r a ppo in tive
an d i f app oi nt i ve t o d ete rm in e t h e ma nn e r o f a ppo intm en t
T h e fi r st c ounty t o tak e a d v antage o f th e a men d ment wa s
Lo s Angel es w h ich cont a in s t h e c ity o f the s am e na me and ha s
a p o pu lat i on o f a bou t a h al f a m i l l i on
T he ch a rte r w h ich th e boa rd o f fi ft een freeh old e rs p re sented
to th e peopl e an d wh ich w a s adopt ed by th em No ve mbe r 5 1 9 1 2
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
S H O RT B ALL OT “3
w
“
i
;
'
i
oi
'
i s gi v en h e re i n fu l l I t i s ab so l ut el y a n ew con c ep t ion o f cou nty
o rgan i z ati on
In t h e fi rs t p l ace th e o l d n ot ion that eve rybody m u st b e
el ect ed i s aban d one d Un d er th e o ld l egi sl ati ve coun ty l a w i n
Cal i fo rn i a th e p eop l e i n th e l a rge co u nt ie s el ect ed ev ery fou r
yea rs th e fol lo w i ng o ffi c e r s : On e s up e rv i so r fo r each o f fi v e
d i st ri cts county sup eri nten dent o f sch ool s co ron e r p ub l i c adm in
is trato r cou nt y c l e rk d i s t rict atto rn ey s h e ri ff a ud ito r t rea s
I n ad d it ion
u rer t ax co l l ec t or a s s es so r reco rd e r an d su rv eyo r
to th e se w e re a gal axy o f el ect i v e con stabl e s and j u st ice s o f th e
p eac e Th e n e w co u nty cha rte r w ip e s o ff th e b al lot m o st o f
t h e se o ffice rs bec au s e th ei r dut i e s are al mo st en t i rely m in i s ter ia l
o r cl e rica l T h e boa r d o f s up erv i sors o f co u rs e a re to rema i n
e l ect i ve a s bot h t h e l awan d common s en se re qu i re T h e bal lot
w i l l al so contai n th e candi date s fo r th e sh eri ff d i s tri ct atto rn e y
‘
an d a s se s so r By rotat i ng th e t e rm s o f th e el ect iv e o fli c er s n ot
ove r th ree o f th em w i l l b e ch os en i n any o n e yea r a fte r th e
Th i s m ean s th at t h e co u nty t i c k et i n any s i ngl e
fi rs t el ecti on
ye a r w i l l be redu ce d f rom th i rteen t o t wo o r at mo st th re e
o ffi c e r s
.
.
/
,
.
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
"
.
,
.
,
.
,
'
.
,
,
.
,
,
.
A U nifi e
d S y s tem
o
f A dmi nis tr a ti o n
I n th e s econ d p l ac e th e charte r p r o v i de s fo r a u n i fi ed , t e
sp on s ibl e sy stem o f a d mi n i st rat i on S o l ong a s al l the h e ad s o f
d ep a rtment s w e re el ected th ey s too d each upon an in dep e nde nt
b asi s Th e st at e l a w i mpo sed up on th e b oa r d o f s up ervi sors th e
d uty o f s up e rv i s ion bu t i t ga ve th em n o p ow e r to en fo rce th ei r
w i sh es A s a m atte r o f fact th e on ly w ay o f r eac hing th es e
e l ect i v e d epartm en t h ea d s w as by goi n g i nto cou rt an d su i ng
th em on th ei r offi ci al bon d s o r conv ic tin g th em o f a c ri m e I n
ot he r w ord s yo u ha d to p rov e t h e o ffi c er an o ut-an d -out c r oo k
T h ere w a s n o r em ed y fo r
or h e s tay ed s eren el y by h i s j ob
incomp etenc e in e ffi ci en cy and ba d offi ci a l con duc t so l ong a s th e
o ffi ce r kep t j u st w ith i n th e l aw
T h e L o s Angel es charte r ch an ge s th i s sy ste m rad i ca l ly I t
ma k e s th e b oar d o f supe rv i so r s th e c ent e r o f respo n sib i l ity by
g i v ing t h em th e appo i nt ing p o w e r ( u n de r p rop e r re st rict ion s)
an d h ol d s th em r espo n s ib l e in al l w ay s fo r t h e ad m i n i st rati o n o f
county b u si ne ss
I t th u s ad ap t s to co unt i es the ba si c i d ea o f
comm i s si on gov ernm ent
,
.
,
,
.
,
.
,
.
,
,
'
'
.
,
,
“
.
.
“
,
‘
.
.
.
S H O RT B A LLO T
Oth er Impr o v em en t:
Th e s el ect ion o f app oi nt i ve co unty offi ce r s f rom l o w e st to
h igh es t ( w i th c e rta i n exc ept ion s ) i s to b e ma d e o n th e b a si s o f
c omp et it iv e exami nat ion u nde r th e d i rec t i on o f an i n d ep en dent
ci v i l s e rvic e boa rd T h i s to o i s an imp o rtant a d vance fo r i t i s
onl y in a h an d fu l o f co u nti e s th ro ugho u t th e wh ol e cou nt ry that
th e meri t sy stem app l i es
Th e fee system i s ab ol i sh ed Offi c e rs a re to rec e i v e sa l a ri e s
Th e con stab ul ary i s t o b e u n der th e cont rol o f th e sh e ri ff
Th e re w i l l n ot be a s fo rm e rly t wo s et s o f p eac e offi c e rs con
s ta n tly d i sp ut in g each oth e r s aut ho rity
A co unty cou n se l w i l l be appo i nte d t o k eep th e v a ri ou s offi ce r s
k eyed up to th e comp l e x p roce d u re p ro v i de d by l aw t o d i rect t h e
c o unty o ffi cer s Th ey w i l l hav e n o e xcu se fo r d eve lop i ng a
“
”
common l aw o f t h ei r o wn by fol l o w in g th e p r ec ed ent s o f th e
offi ce rath e r tha n th e stat ut e s
T h e sy stem w h ic h th i s cha rte r s et s u p i s n ot a p e r fect o n e
Fo r ex amp l e it does not do a w ay w i th m u ch unn ec e s sa ry dup l i
c at io n o i e ffo rt betw een c ity an d cou nt y I t c l i ng s t o th e
t rad it i on th a t mak e s t h e sh eri ff an el ect i v e o ffi c e r th ough n i ne
t enth s o f h i s d ut i es a re si mpl y t hos e o f ex ec ut ing c ou rt o rd ers
I t c ont in ue s th e co u nty as s e s so r an d d i st rict atto rn ey a s po l it ical
offi ce rs wh en th ey sh oul d b e s el ected fo r expe rt qu a l i fi cat ion s
I t l eav e s th e j u s tice s o f th e p eace o n th e el ect i ve l i st i n spi te o f
th e p ett i ne s s o f t h ei r j u ri sd icti on
S o mu ch o f c ri t ic i s m i s du e fro m o u r pa rti cu la r v i ewpoint
B u t o n th e w h o l e i t l ook s l ike th e begin n ing o f a n e w age i n
A me ric an count i e s
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
.
.
.
,
,
’
.
.
.
.
,
.
,
.
.
,
.
.
,
,
.
Th e A la meda P l a n
LO 5
Angel e s i s th e p ionee r B ut anoth e r Ca l i fo rn i a c o m
m u n ity i s u n de rtak ing a m uch m o re p retent i ou s p i ece o f wo rk
Th e T ax A s soc i ati o n o f A la m eda Cou nty ha s a p l an o f co unty
fede rat ion i n wh ic h th e S ho rt B al l ot an d e xpe rt ad m i n i st rat ion
u n d e r an appoin ti ve manage r a re th e d om inan t p ri nci pl e s Th e
adj u stmen t o f c i ty a n d co u nty re lati on s w oul d b e eff ect ed o n th e
p rincipl e th at th e cou nty sh o ul d b e mad e mo re i mpo rtan t a n d
i nc i d en tal ly mo re i nte resti ng to i t s c it iz en s by ch a rgi ng i t w it h
th e w h ol e sy stem o f d ut i e s wh ich con st it ut e th e l oca l e xe rc i se
o f th e pol ic e pow e r
wh ich i s d i v i d ed at p re sen t b et ween th e
.
.
'
.
'
,
,
,
S H O RT B ALL O T
e l emen t i n th e a u d it ing I n l a rge r c ou nt i e s th i s latte r fu nct ion
wo u l d fal l to th e cou nty c omp t rol l e r wh o i s n ow p rov i d ed by
l a w a s a n op t ional offi ce r
I t i s th e i nten tion th at th e c ou nty mana ge r h a ve a sala ry
s uffi ci en t t o att r act t rai n e d m en an d to w i d en th e fi el d o f se l ec
t i on i t i s sp ec i fi c a l ly p rov i ded that h e n eed n ot be a re s i dent o f
“
”
t h e co un ty T h i s feat u r e d up l icat e s th e c ity m anage r p la n i n
op erat ion i n D ayto n an d Sp ri ng fi el d Oh i o an d oth e r c i ti e s
T o mak e r e asonab ly s u r e th at th e boa rd o f supe r vi sor s w ou l d
g iv e th e cou nty m anage r p o w e r to ca rry o ut h i s d uti e s p rov i s i on
i s mad e i n th e b i l l fo r an ad mi n i st rat i ve co de requ i re d to be
enacte d by th e boa rd Th i s w ou l d conta i n i n d etai l th e p ro
c ed u r e r el at ing to th e p u rch a se o f s upp l i e s th e fo rm o f c ont racts
th e r egul at i o n s conce rn ing th e bu dget an d d ep a rt m ent repo rt s
Th e co ron e rs w o u l d b e app o inte d by th e d i st rict atto rn ey
th ereby ten di ng mo re c lo s el y to u n i fy th e mach in e ry o f c ri mi nal
j u st ic e
W h en i f ev e r th e con sti t ut ion i s amen d ed so that the p ri n
c ip a l cou nty o ffi c e r s m ay be made appoin ti ve a fu rth e r u ni fi cat i on
o f th e f unct ion s o f th e boa rd o f sup e rv i so rs cou l d b e eff ected
by a n exten s ion o f th e cou nty man age r s pow e r s o f app ointment
A n am end ment w ith t h i s en d i n v i e w w i l l p rob ably b e p re sente d
to th e l egi sl at u re
T h e n eed fo r th e n e w p lan i s p re ssi ng T h e o rgan i z ed S ho rt
B a l l ot mov em en t wa s n ot ve ry o l d be fore it fou n d that t he
cou nty i s a fi el d i n wh ich th i s re fo r m i s p a rt icu la rly app rop ri at e
Fo r th e p u rpo s e o f sc rap i n g a n acqu ai ntanc e w ith th e subj ect
w e mad e a rath e r tho rough ex am in at i on o f t he statute s i n N ew
Yo rk stat e re lat i ng to counti e s and co unty o ffi c e r s an d fo u n d
som e aston i sh i ng th i ngs
H e re w a s a u n i t o f gov e rnment w h ic h ha d been ru nn ing a long
fo r 2 00 yea rs w i th ou t th e sl ight est sembl anc e o f a n ad min i st ra
t ive he ad o r ch i e f ex ec ut i ve T h e re wa s a boa rd o f s upe rv i so rs
t o b e s u r e bu t i t s membe rs c on si st ed o f del egat e s f rom th e
va ri ou s tow n s w h o m et onl y a t i nte rva l s In th e v e ry n atu re o f
th e ca se th ey co u l d n o t be c on ve rsan t w i th w h at wa s goi ng on
i n th e oth e r cou nty offi ce s
Th e latte r w e re n ea rly al l in th e
i ndepend en t e l ect i ve c l a s s and t h i s fact o f cou rse fu rthe r m i l i
f at ed agai n st a n eff ect i v e o rgan i z at ion
W e d iag ram ed th i s
stat uto ry s it u at ion
Th e re su l t w a s someth i ng wh ich l ook ed
v e ry muc h l ike th e tangl ed ma s s o f st ee l gi rd e rs i n th e ru i n s
.
.
,
,
.
.
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
,
.
,
,
,
’
’
.
.
.
.
.
,
.
.
,
,
,
.
,
.
,
,
.
.
S H O R T B ALL OT
—
o ne
of
th e offi c e b u i l d ings at S an Fr anc i sco a ft er th e g reat
f
o
1 05 :
,
fi re
.
W e th en began t o l ook a ro u nd and s e e h ow th e th in g h a d
w orked i n p ractic e S oon w e ran a c ro s s an i l l u mi n atin g an d
h i gh ly ent ertai n i ng s et o f report s on c ertai n up-state count ie s
wh i ch w ere p rep a red d uri ng Ma rt i n H G l yn n s t erm a s co m p
trol l e r abo ut s i x yea rs ago
Among th e th i ngs wh ic h th e i n ve st i g ato r s fou n d i n at l east
o n e co u nty
w a s a p racti cal ly w i d e op en t reas u ry wh ich cou l d b e
p icked at th e i n stance o f hal f a do z en el ect i v e o ffi c er s b ec au se o f
the p ract i cal ab and onmen t o f anyt h i ng l ike a ud it in g
I n anoth e r
cou nty by a s e ri e s o f i ll egal re sol u tion s t h e boa r d o f sup e r vi so r s
act u al l y ab d icat e d i t s p ri nc ip a l f un ct i on a s au dit o r o f cou nty bi l l s
to an app o i nt i v e emp loye w ho Serv ed w i th ou t bon d s an d w a s
subj ect to n o ch ec k beyon d a p e r functory exam i nati on Vo uc h
e rs fo r p ub l i c exp en ditu re s i n sev e ra l co unt i e s we r e fou n d to
hav e b een bu rn e d S om et i mes they w ere stu ff ed a way in b a r r el s
i n a n u tte r l ac k o f s equ en ce o r o r de r Offi cers l ik e th e co u nty
c l erk o r c o un ty t r ea s ur er h ad b e en p ocketi ng fees w h ich th e
st atu te s p l a i nl y s ai d w e re th e p rop erty o f t h e stat e
Som e o f t h e se ev i l s o f c o u rs e co u l d h av e b een co r rected
sup er fi c i al ly by bette r a dm in i st rati v e mea s u re s B ut at bottom
th e t roubl e w a s o n e o f bad fu n d am enta l o rgan i z at ion T h e
boa rd s o f sup ervi so r s i n m any o f th e N ew Yo rk cou nt i e s a re to o
ab s u rdly l arge t o p er fo rm th e a dmi n i st r at i v e f u ncti on s wh ich a re
i mp ose d up on them T h i nk o f t h i rty -eigh t m en a s i n W es t
c h e ste r county au d it i ng a bi l l by acc l amat ion "
B ut siz e i s n ot th e on ly d i ffi cul ty T h e r e i s n o on e to r epr e
sent th e u ni ty o f t h e co u n ty An d that i s wh e re th e p r op o sed
s mal l boa rd an d t h e co u nty m an age r w i l l cou nt st rongly
.
;
’
m
.
.
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
.
.
.
,
.
,
.
.
,
'
.
,
,
.
.
'
.
R ev i ew
D i scov e ry
o f R ev i ew s
-8
.
N o v em b e r
.
o f th e Co un ty P rob l em
.
H
.
S
.
,
1
91
2
'
G i lb ert so n
T h e m i s d eed s o f al de rm en an d l egi sl ato rs h av e a w ay o f
b u rst i n g fo rth out o f a p i ctu r esqu e hero ic sett ing T hey b reak
i nto th e h ea d l in e s ; th e g ran d j u ry t ake s not ic e ; p ubl i c s e nt i men t
d r iv e s al ong th e p ro s ecut i on an d th er e f ol l o w s a gen era l cl ea ni n g
up an d p e rh ap s som e r ea l c on struct i v e reform E v en un de r
no rm al con d it ion s th e p o s s ib i l i ty o f att ract ing p ub l i c att enti on i s
l ikely to b e a u s e fu l p r even tiiIe
'
.
,
.
,
,
'
.
1 06
S H O RT B ALLO T
B u t w h at o f a go ve rn m en t wh ich d oe s not m ak e s uc h a n
appeal t o th e i magi nat ion and th e d ramat ic sen se ? T h e co u nty
fa l l s i n t h i s c atego ry I t ha s n o b ig franch i se s to gi v e a way an d
“
”
no senators t o rai s e a j ack p ot
I t r un s al on g i n i t s d ul l
p ro sy routi n e fi l i ng reco rd s o f real -e state t rans fer s and cou rt
p rocee d i ngs mak i ng s u r v ey s ex ec uti ng cou rt p roces se s an d
keep ing p ri son e rs B a r ring h e re an d th e re th e act ivi ty o f a
d i st ri ct atto rn ey the re ar e fe w v i sib l e an d phy sica l
v igo rou s
ev i denc e s th at th e co unty i s at wo r k at al l— exc ep t i n th e tax
c ol l ect ing s ea son
B ut f o r al l that th e co un ty i s not th e cente r o f th e p rob l em
o f mode rn c i v i l i z at ion i t i s b eginn ing to b e a fi el d o f int ere st i ng
d i sc o ve ry P a rt i cu la rly i s i t b e in g b rough t i nto s h a rp an d
u n favo rabl e comp ar i son i n m any i n st anc e s w ith t h e c ity gov
an d e spec i al ly i s t hi s t ru e
ern m en ts w i th i n i t s o wn con fi n es
w h ere com m i s si o n gov e rnmen t h a s ga i n ed head w ay Th e d en i
z en s o f th e se c it i e s ha v e w i tn e s se d th e p a s s i ng away o f the c i ty
co un ci l w ith i t s p etty w ard b icke ri ngs an d it s no i sy i n ert ia an d
o f a h op e les s ly i n eff ect iv e sy stem o f adm i n i st rat ion ; th ey h av e
s een th e fou n dati on s l ai d fo r effi c i ency an d econ omy a nd s ec ret
“
”
c ounc i l s aban don ed f o r th e pol icy o f th e Op en roa d
.
.
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
,
'
.
,
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
f P o litical S implic ity
T h e in fe renc e i s n atu ra l : I f c omm i s sion gove rn ment c ou l d
encompa s s th e s e ch an ge s fo r ci t i e s c l ea rl y th e re i s a c hanc e fo r
s i m i l a r rev amp i ng 0 f th e c o unty sy stem A n d so i t h appen s that
i n h al f a doz en w i d el y sep a rat ed st ates w h e re t h e n ew s i mpl i fi ed
c ity gove rn m ent ha s b een i n op e rat io n fo r a fe w y ea rs i t s fi rst
b y-p rod uct i s now a dem an d fo r th e r econ st ruct io n o f th e wi de r
p o l i ti c al un it
I n I ow a th e C oun ty C l e rk s A s soci at ion h a s
brok en i nt o th e s it uati on by go i ng o n reco rd i n fav o r o f a
m etho d o f sel ect i on wh i c h wo u l d re l i ev e th em o f th ei r el ec ti v e
i n depen d ence an d p lace th e m un d e r th e a utho rity o f th e d i st rict
j u dge s Ne w Je rsey h a s c a ugh t t h e i d ea o f s imp l i ci ty and h a s
en ac ted a n opt i ona l l a w wh ic h wou l d p e rmit th e abol i sh ment
o f th e b ig
cu mbe r some boa rd o f su pe rv i so rs a n d su bst itut e a
smal l c o mm i ss ion v e sted w i th b ro ad powe rs o f c ont rol
B ut mo re notabl e t han any o f th e se an d ent i rely o riginal
i n i t s conc ept i on i s th e c on st i tut ion al a mendment i n C al i fo rn ia
w h ich w a s a dopt ed i n Oc tob er 1 9 1 1 and wh ich i s no w being
b rou gh t into u se i n th e count i e s o f Lo s A ngel e s a nd Sa n B e r
Th e C o n tag io n
o
,
.
’
.
,
,
.
,
.
,
.
,
,
,
1 08
S H O R T B A LL O T
.
a w ay i n ba rrel s an d oth e r rec eptacl e s w it h out re fe rence to o rde r
or
sequ ence O ffi c e r s l ik e th e county c l e rk an d th e cou nty
t rea s u re r for yea r s h ad b een p ock eti ng fee s wh ich th e statut es
p l a in ly st ated we re th e p rope rty o f th e state n ot becau s e th ey
we re d i sh on e st bu t b ec au s e th ei r p redeces so r s h a d don e so an d
that wa s th e onl y l a w th ey h ad to b e gu i d ed by a n d b ec au se
th e re w a s n o on e by to tel l th em a ny d i ff e rent w ay
I nci d ent s l i ke th e s e h av e t h ei r l oca l c au se s and th e i r l oc al
signi fi canc e
B ut wh en they com e f rom a h u nd re d i so late d
l ocal it i es th ro ugh o u t th e c oun try they p i ctu re th e c h i e f in fl u enc e
wh i ch h a s m ol d ed co u nty governm en t an d i n fl u ence n o bette r
ca l l ed than by th e n am e o f negl ec t N egl ect on th e pa rt o f th e
p ub l ic a n d o f p ubl i c i st s ; n eglect on th e pa rt o f ev e rybo dy b u t
p ro fes si onal pol it ic i an s wh o hav e g i ven th e s u bj ect i n th ei r
o wn p ec u l ia r w ay
th e mo st conti nuo u s an d so l ic it ou s c a re
.
,
.
,
.
.
,
.
,
,
,
.
,
A M ed ieva l Ins ti tu tio n
Th e co unty ev e n n o w i s e s sent i a l ly a m ed i ev a l i n st itut io n
with modi fi cati on s at sp ec i al p oi n t s to meet th e p res su re o f
mo de rn l i fe an d ra re ly h a s th e sl ight est r ega rd been g i ven t o
th e i ncong ru iti e s an d ab su rd i t ie s o f som e o f th e comb inat io n s
i n m aki ng th e adj u stment s Fo r how el s e cou l d anyth in g sh o rt
o f a sp ec i e s o f m ed i eval -m in dedn e ss p e rsu ad e u s to take se ri
o u s l y su ch an offi ce r a s th e sh eri ff ?
Mode rn pol it ica l o rgan iz a
t i on h a s red uced th i s e rst wh i le po w e r fu l offi ce r to th e d i m en si on s
o f a co u rt m e s senge r
Onc e h e w a s th e pe r son a l rep res entati ve
”
“
K ing i n th e co unty an d th e Keep er o f Ki ng s P eac e
o f th
No w e sp ec i al ly i n popu l ou s cente r s h e ha s been d i spl aced by
w el l -equ ipp ed m un ic i p a l p ol ice fo rce s an d stat e m i l itia ; a nd i n
ru ral sect ion s h e i s a j oke B ut w h i l e th e offi c e it sel f h a s
at roph i ed it s o ut wa rd d ign i ty i s ha rd ly l e s s p repo s se s si ng tha n
fo rme rly I f i n any o f th e fo rty —
seven state s i n w h ich h e i s
n o w a n e l ect i ve offi c e r , a p rop os i t ion w e re mad e to red uc e h i m
to h i s p rope r subord in at ion to th e j ud icia l e stab l i shment a sto rm
d emoc rat s
o f p rote st wou l d a ri se f ro m ten t ho u san d out raged
S o h igh l y i s th e she ri ff regard ed i n s om e o f th e l a rge r c iti e s
that h e i s p erm itte d t o e x tr ac t an i nc om e e st imat ed at
"
"
p e r y ea r pa rt o f wh ic h o f cou rse i s a dded to th e co st s o f
l it igan t s fo r e x tra q u ic k se rv ic e o f p roce s se s a n d i s h i dd en a way
i n l a wye rs fee s
An d th e c o ron e r " S u rely th e re i s a v a st am oun t o f h u mo r
in o f
i n o u r sol emn m a rch to th e pol l s to sel ect th e gath e re r —
,
,
,
,
.
.
'
e
.
,
,
.
,
.
,
.
'
,
,
’
.
,
'
S H O RT BA LL O T
1 09
.
de ad m en s b on e s W hy ha s no t so me on e s u gge st ed that t h i s
offi ce r he ma d e an attach é 0 f th e l oc a l h ea lt h d epa rtment ?
T h i s backwa rdn e s s an d con s er vat i sm i n deal i ng w it h co u nty
offi ce rs h a s b een s ho w n i n le s s l u di c rou s w ay s by comp a ri son
w ith s om e o f th e typ ica l dev el opment s i n th e c iti e s T o i l l u s
t rate : th e i de a o f t h e meri t system o f c i v i l serv i ce w h ich wa s
p rov i de d f o r t h e ci ti e s o f N e w Yo rk stat e i n 1 88 3 w a s n o t
ext en d e d to cou nt i e s u n ti l 1 900 M ass ach u setts wh i c h h a s h ad
a man dato ry stat e -w i de c iv i l se rv ice l aw fo r c iti e s fo r m any
year s h a s n o t yet tou ch ed t h e p rob l e m i n i t s o wn c iv i l d i v i si on s ;
th i s n otw i th stan d ing that p reci s ely si m i l a r r ea son s fo r th i s so rt
o f p rotect ion a r e p res ent
Ho w ev e r i t m ay b e sco red on th e
si de o f p rogre s s that Cook Co u nty Il l m o rs 1 8 n o w abo u t t o
i n stal l a mo st comp l ete an d u p—
to -date sy st em wh i l e i n N ew
Je rsey th e th re e counti e s o f E s s ex M e reer a n d H ud son con
tain ing re sp ec ti v ely th e c it ie s o f N ew a rk T renton an d J e r sey
City h av e recentl y adopt e d th e stat e c i vi l se r v ice l aw by p op u la r
re feren d u m
Li kew i s e th e p ri n cip l e o f n on -p a rti san e lect ion s fo r loc al
offi ce r s no w in vo g u e i n h u nd re d s o f cit i e s and recogn i z e d i n
th ese un i t s a s a p racti cab ly i ncon t est ab l e p rop o si t i on h a s m a d e
l ittl e o r n o h ead way i n cou nt i es al tho ugh th e re ason s f o r app ly
i ng th e p ri ncip l e h er e a re do ub tl y c ogent T h e ob scu ri ty o f
cou nty o ffi ce r s t h e un i nte re st ing ch a ract e r o f th e i r w ork an d
th e con sequent l ack o f p ubl ic i ty wh ich s u r rou n d s t h ei r act i vi ty
mak e f or da rk p a ssages an d b y -w ays o f p ol it i cs w h i ch di rectl y
f a vo r any s o rt o f bad po l iti c al an d b u sin e s s p ract ic e o f w h i ch
i r re spon s ib l e i n di v i d u al offi cer s o r co u nty ri ng s a re capabl e
“
”
An d i nc i denta l ly th es e sam e ri ngs a re i mp o r tan t c ompon ent
part s o f stat e m ach in e s
’
.
,
,
.
1
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
,
'
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
,
,
.
Th e L o ng C o u n ty B a ll o t
From th e stan dp o i nt o f e ffi ci en t c iti z en sh ip th e real l y ser io u s
s i de o f cou nty p ol i ti c s i s th e e ffect w h i ch i t h a s upon th e
u nw i el d in es s an d con fu s ion o f th e bal lot I t u su a l ly happ en s
th at th e c oun ty o ffi c er s a re chos en at th e sam e t i me a s th e state
j ud ic ia l an d s o m efim e s ev en c ity t i c ket A s M r Roo seve lt sai d
in h i s Col u mbu s sp eec h f
,
.
,
.
.
,
c an n o
t
go o d
get
s er
v ic e
bl
v an t if y o u c a n n o t s ee
h im a n d th e r e is n o m o r e e ffec tiv e w ay o f h i d in g h im t h an b y m ix i n g
h i m u p w ith a m ul t it u d e o f o th er s s o th at th e y ar e n o n e o f t h e m
i m p o r t an t e n o u gh t o c a tc h th e e y e o f th e av er a g e wo r k -a-d ay c it iz en
Yo u
fr o m
a
p u ic
s er
,
.
S H O R T B ALL O T
1 1 0
I f th e d i str ict atto rn ey w e re not m i x ed up w i th t wenty oth e r
cou nty o ffi c e r s o f d eci dedl y l e s s imp o rtance h i s offi c e wou l d n u
doubt e dly b e st ronge r for s tand ing i n th e conc ent rat ed ray s o f
p ub l i c op i n i on I f th e supe rv i so r s co u l d stan d o ut f rom th e
c oun ty s u rveyo r th e co ron e r an d th e c oun ty cl e rk t h e c i ti zen s
w o u l d n o t hav e to d i st ribut e the i r att ent ion ove r a l ong l in e o f
m eani ngl es s name s A l d e rm ani c can d i date s i n Ch icago are no
longe r m i x e d up w i th a m u lt itu d e o f u nkn o wn a n d u n imp o rtant
county c an d i dat es a n d n o doub t t h i s fact h a s m uch t o do w ith
t h e h igh e r ton e o f C h i cago s gov ern i ng body i n rec ent yea rs
T h e Lo s Angel e s b a l lot i n th e Nov emb e r el ect i on i n 1 91 0 con
fi ve s et s o f c an di date s m o re th a n ha l f o f
t ain ed a l i st o f fo rty —
whom w ere fo r co u nty offi c es T h i s si t uation by t h e way i s
b ei ng d eal t w ith by th e p re s ent county cha rte r frame r s w h o
p l an t o p u t th rough d ra sti c red ucti on i n th e n u mbe r o f el ecti ve
o ffi c e r s
,
'
.
,
,
,
.
,
’
.
,
.
,
,
’
,
.
F a ul ty Orga n iz a tio n
B u t i n th e l a st analys i s th e cou nty p robl em a ri se s f rom it s
bad grou n d p lan o f o rgan i z ati on S om e t i m e ago th e con sol i
dated la w s o f N e w Yo rk S tate w ere s ea rc he d to fi n d o u t th e
l ega l rel at i on s o f cou nty offi c e rs to o ne anothe r and to th e state
go vern m en t
W i thou t attempt ing t o i n fl uence th e re s u l t but
s i mp l y d rawi ng h i s l in e s th rough t h e m o st conv en i en t open spac e
a d ra ftsman g o t th e p ictu re o f u n u tte rab l e con fu sio n wh ic h a p
pea rs -o u th e oppo si te page A p e r fec t s w itchboa rd fo r tang led
l i n e s " A n d wh at i s th e mean ing o f i t al l ? S i mp ly th at the re i s
n o po sit i vely real ad m in i st rat i v e h ea d sh ip an d su bo rd i nat i on i n
th e county o rgan i z at ion
Th e st at ut e s contemplat e th at th e boa r d o f sup e rv i so r s sha l l
be re spon sibl e fo r th e co unty s fi nanc i al man agement B ut th i s
boa rd i s a l a rge body con s i st i ng o f o n e m emb er from each to wn
an d eac h wa rd o f a c ity w ith in th e cou nty ; a nd l i ke cou nty
boa rd s o f s up erv i so rs i n othe r state s i t con vene s on ly at ce rt ai n
st ated i nte rval s It s m embe rs h av e n o S p ec ial qu al i ficati on s fo r
adm ini st rat i ve wo rk T he r e i s n o cont in u ou s s up e rv i s ion o f
t h e co unty b u sin e s s
T h e oth e r a dm in i strat i ve offi c e rs o f the co unty l ike the t rea s
a re i nd epen d ent o f
u r e r an d th e s up e ri nt e ndent s o f th e poo r
th ei r d i rect con t rol b ec a u s e o f t h e i r sepa rate el ect ion and a re
remo vabl e no t by th e i r p u tat i v e supe ri o rs th em se lve s but by the
,
.
.
,
,
.
.
’
.
,
,
,
.
.
.
,
,
,
S H O RT B ALLO T
1 1 2
d i stant gov e rn o r w h o m ay o r may n ot act wh en h i s attent ion
i s ca l l e d t o l ocal cond i t i on s I n ca s e s o f act ua l m al fe a sanc e th e
s upe rv i so r s m ay r eco ve r o n th e t rea su rer s b on d o r t h e atto rn ey
gen eral m ay tak e s uch a cti on at th e i n stanc e o f th e compt rol l e r
B u t thi s i s not th at con stan t an d i n stant cont rol wh ich i s on e
o f th e fi rst e ss enti al s o f p ract ical a dmi n i st rat i on
To d emon st rate th at th i s ab senc e o f ad m i n i st rati ve cont rol i s
op en to mo re th an academ ic obj ect ion l et m e c it e th e att itude o f
th e t rea su re r o f C ook Cou nty I l l i no i s an o ffi c i a l who h an d l e s
fun d s to th e a mou n t o f
a y ea r H i s i s a fee offi ce
an d acco rd i ng t o th e con sti t uti o n o f I l l i noi s i s un de r t h e s u pe r
v i si on a s t o th e n u mbe r o f h i s a s si stan t s o f th e d i st r ic t j ud ge s
D u ri n g th e p a st ye a r a ft e r s evera l o f th e oth e r cou nty o ffi ci al s
h a d s u bm itt ed to th e exam i nat ion o f th e i r account s an d th e i r
o ffi c e sy stem s th e B u rea u o f P ubl i c E ffi c i ency u nd e rtook at th e
requ e st o f th e j u d ge s to m ak e a n e x amin at i on o f th e t rea su re r s
o ffi c e fo r th e p u rpo s e o f gi v i ng th e j udge s d at a upon wh ich to
a uth o ri z e an i nc re ase i n th e n umb e r o f cl erk s B u t th e t rea su re r
re fu se d to op en h i s offi c e u n de r c i rc u m stance s w h i ch wo ul d pe r
m i t o f eff ect i v e e xam i nat ion
T h e j u dge s h i s l e ga l super io rs
h a d no p owe r to fo rce h i s han d H e wa s r espon sibl e a s b e h i m
sel f d ecl a red o nl y to h i s bon d smen a nd to th em on ly d o e s h e
ren de r any repo rt fo r th e ann u al fl ow o f
T h e p eop l e
el ect h i m
B u t th ey do no t cont rol h i m T h ey h ave n ot ev en
t h e bo on o f seei ng wh at go e s o n i n h i s o ffi c e
T h e po sit ion o f th e c ou nt y t rea su re r j u st c i ted i s an exce l lent
i l l u strat ion o f th e th eo ry gene ral ly u n d e rlying c oun ty o rgan i za
”
“
t ion I t i s a gov e rn ment o f l aw s an i nt ri cat e t angl e o f ch eck s
an d b al anc e s w i th po s it ivel y n o h u man fo rce to d ri ve i t Li k e
a big tou ring c a r w ith th e engi n e goi ng an d th e c l utch on but
n o d ri ve r i n th e fron t s eat i t fol low s a d ev i ou s pat h wh ich l ead s
to d e st ru ct i on No won d e r that county gove rn m ent l ike th e
in evi tably goe s out s id e o ffi c ial
o ld - fa sh i on e d c ity o r g an i z ati on s
d o m an d fi n d s a d ri v e r i n th e pe r son o f a c ou nty bos s o r an
i r resp on s ibl e u noffi c i a l fo rm o f com m i s s i on gove rn ment—th e
”
“
coun ty ring
,
.
’
,
.
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
,
,
,
,
’
,
.
.
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
.
.
,
.
.
,
,
.
,
,
,
,
.
Th e Or eg o n P r o po s a l
In sha rp c ont ra st w ith th e typi cal c ou nty g round plan s ug
ge sted abo ve i s th e o ne p repa red by the O regon P rog re ssi ve s
H e rei n i s recogn i z e d a p rin ci p l e wh i ch m o st oth e r p ract ica l t e
.
S H O R T B ALL O T
1 1
3
f orm e r s appea r to ha v e ove rl ooke d A nd t h i s i s th e fact that
th e co unty i s n ei th e r a s i mp l e m u n ic ip a l co rpo rat ion n o r a mer e
c iv i l d iv i sion o f th e state bu t pa rt akes o f th e a tt r ib ute s o f both
Rememb e ring th at th e a dm i ni st rat i on O i l a w i s a fu nct i on o f
th e state th e O regon l ead e rs h av e con s i stently p l an n e d to k eep
th e j u dic ia l m ach i n ery di sti nct from th at o f fu nct i on s w h i ch a re
p rope rly th e s ubj ect o f loca l cont ro l T h u s altho ugh th e j u dge s
.
.
,
.
,
.
R i c h a rd S
.
C h il ds
’
S u g g es ti o n s fo r
,
,
a
S h o rt B a l l o t C o u n ty
i n d e ferenc e to l ocal s ent i ment wo u l d remai n el ect i ve t he di s
triet attorney an d th e s h e ri ff w ho con s ti tu te t h e p r i ncip a l
agenc i e s i n th e adm i n i st rat ion o f j u st ice w ou l d b e appo int ee s o f
th e gov erno r A l l el se i n th e cou nty i s r ega rd e d a s th e p rop er
”
“
subj ect o f b u s in e s s t reatm ent
I n t h e l atte r d ep a rtment th e
p ri ncip l e s u n d erlyi ng th e com mi ss i on p l an h av e been b r o ugh t
i nt o p l ay so t hat th e gove rn i ng bo a rd o f th e co u nty wo u l d b e
”
“
co n sp ic uou s l y r espon sib l e body v e st ed w ith th e
a s m al l an d
co rp o rat e p ower s an d d u ti es o f th e cou nty B ut O regon l i ke
th e O regon pl an goe s j u st a step f u rt h er than th e c omm i ssi on
,
,
,
,
.
,
.
'
.
,
,
1 1
S H O RT B ALLO T
4
p lan fo r w h e re th e l att e r requ i res th e m emb e r s o f th e gov e rn
i n g bo ard i n di vi d u a l ly to s up e rv i s e th e s omewhat a rti fi c ial ly d i vi
ded d ep a rtment s o f admi n i st rati on th e fo rme r a rranges fo r an
e xpe rt co unty man age r w ho wou ld act u nd e r th e d i r ection o f
t he county di recto r s Th i s offi ce r wou l d ap po int al l th e l oca l
s u bo rd inates su ch a s th e treas u rer co un ty c l e rk a n d so fo rth
A s evi denc e o f th e p ract ical b as i s o f th i s sugge s tion w i tn e ss
th i s st atem ent from M r U R en :
,
,
,
,
.
'
.
,
,
,
,
’
.
It
l y b el ieve d
a v e r a ge p r iv a te
b u s i n es s m a n
as m u c h v a l u e i n b u s in ess
a n d ev e n th e
fo r f r o m f o r t y to s ix t y c en ts as o u r s ta t e a n d l o c al g o ve r n m en ts ge t f o r
I t i s n o t u n u s u a l t o h ea r a m a n o f ex p e r ie n c e s a y i n s p eak i n g o f t h e
$1
“
I c o u l d tak e h al f th e m o n e y a n d g et b etter r es u l ts i f I c o u l d
c o u n ty
"
r u n i t o n b u s i n es s p r i n c ip l es l ik e I d o m y o wn a ffa i r s
I n th e p er i o d f r o m J an u
T h er e is ex p er ien c e t o j us t if y th i s o p in io n
wh en th e b u s in ess th at i s n o w d o n e b y th e c o u n ty c l er k s
1 90 2
a r y to J u l y
o ffi c e i n M u l t n o m ah C o u n t y w as d o n e i n th r ee d ep a rt m en ts b y an el ec t ed
an
el ec ted c l er k
an d an
o f th e c i r c u it c o u rt
o f c o n v ey a n c es
r ec o r d er
t h e r ec eip ts were
el ec t ed c o u n t y c l er k
ex p en ses
I t c o st
t o d o a d o l l a r s wo r th o f c l e r ic a l wo r k a n d g et th e m o n e y
I n th e p er i o d f r o m J a n u a r y t o J u n e 1 90 8 with th e th ree o fi C CS c o n s o l i
d a te d i n o n e th e r ec eipt s wer e
th e ex p en s es w er e
It
c o s t 6 4 c en t s fo r th e c o u n t y t o d o t h e wo r k a n d g et i n o n e d o ll a r u n d e r
M r Fi el d s m a n a g e m e n t o f th e b u s i n e s s o f th e th r e e d ep a r t m e n t s c o n
s o l i d ate d in o n e
M u l t n o m ah C o u n t y is gett in g m o re w o r k fo r 3 8 c en ts th an i t used
to g e t u n d e r th e o l d s y s t em f o r $ 1
Th e d i r ec t n o m i n ati o n l aw b y
e l im i n a t i o n o f th e p a r t y b o s s es a n d 0 f th e m a c h i n es
i s i n s o m e d e gr ee
r es p o n s ibl e fo r th e s av i n g
b u t we b el i ev e i t is i n eq u a l d e g ree d ue to th e
c o n c e n tr a t io n
o f ex ec u t ive r es p o n s ib i l i t y a n d p o we r i n t h e h an ds
o f one
c o m mo n
is
v er a ge
g et s
c o r p o r a t io n
th a
t
th e
a
fa rm e r
an d
,
,
,
.
,
.
.
.
'
,
,
,
,
,
,
’
.
,
,
,
’
.
.
.
,
,
,
m an
.
A nd
n o w w e sh al l po s si bly s ee i n O regon rep l aci ng the ant i
q uated i ncoh e rent anach ron i sm wh ich h a s p a ss ed fo r county gov
c r a men t a sy stem w h i ch at l ea st i n th e d esign in g i s though t
mod e rn an d sc ien t ific — th e di rect ant ith e s i s o f wh at eve ry read e r
o f the se l i n es ha s kn own
B a sed a s i t i s upon a t ho ro ugh
a nal ys i s o f a l l th e c on st it uent facto rs i n c ounty o rgan i zati on i t
i s an embod im ent o f th e gen e ral ly acc epted con st ruct i v e ide a i n
recent pol it i ca l th ought ; u n ity O f o rgan i z ati on a dmi n i st rat ion by
exp e rt s a n d s i mpl ic ity o f c it i z en sh i p th rough t h e Sh o rt B a l l ot
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
1 1
6
S H O R T B ALLO T
S ho rt B al lot m ake s i t ea si er to po l l a n h on est v ot e and e l ect
abl e an d fai th fu l o ffi c ial s doesn t i t th e reby p romote i nd i v id ual
h on e sty a s w el l a s gov e rn m enta l effi c i ency ?
LO N G—T hat s a rath e r b ig
B u t i f you c an p rov e yo u r
p r em i s e s I am ent i rel y w i l l i n g to a dm i t the l ogic O f you r c on
el u sion
S H O RT—T O save ti m e l et u s se e i f th ere a re n ot som e fun d a
m ental p rem i s e s —ax io ms w e m igh t al most cal l th em —w h ic h w e
can take fo r g rante d w ithou t a rgu m en t I th i n k w e w i l l both
ag ree fo r examp l e :
( 1 ) Th at th e av e rag e voter wo u ld p re f e r to c a st h i s bal lot
fo r an ab l e an d hon e st Ofific ial th an fo r o n e wh o lack s th es e
att ri but es
( 2 ) Th at th i s p re f e renc e ho wev e r i s n o t s uffi c i ent ly act i ve
t o make th e a ve rage vote r sp end ve ry m u ch t i me i n st u dy ing
th e compa rati ve me rit s o f r i v al can d i d ate s
—
—
T
h
at
i
t
i
s
ea
si
e
r
for
any
vote
r
a
ve
rage
o
r
n
ot
to dis
(3)
c r i mi nat e i ntel l i gent ly b et wee n th e cand i d ate s fo r a f ew Offi c e s
than bet ween th e can d i date s fo r many offi ce s
( 4 ) Th at th e mo re i mp o rtant th e Offi c e t o b e fi l l ed th e
greate r i nte re st d o th e vote rs take i n d ec i di ng w h o sh al l b e
el ecte d to fi ll i t
I f you s ee any fla w s i n th e se statem ents M r Lon g l et u s
d i scu ss th em b e fo re p roceedi n g f u rth e r
LO N G—I a m en ti rely w i l l i ng to c oncede th e t rut h O f you r fo u r
ax i om s an d m u st adm it th at t ak en togeth e r th ey fo rm a st rong
a rg um en t fo r th e Sh o rt B al l ot a s a n effi c i en t typ e O f el ect i on
"
"
m ach i n e ry Yo u n ee d on l y ad d a fi fth a x i om t o th e eff ect
t hat th e s ucc e s s o f m u n i c ipa l go ve rn men t i s i n d i rect p ropo rt ion
to th e effi c i en cy o f i t s el ecti on m ach i n e ry an d yo u h ave a ppa r
ently p ro ved you r ca se ; b u t th at s an a x io m I can t s wa l l o w
S H O RT — No r hav e I a ske d you to In stea d O f any fi fth ax i om
suppos e w e t ak e a s o ur c onc l u si on th e p ropo s it io n th at ot he r
th ing s b ei ng equ al el ect ion mach i n e ry d es ign ed w ith th e se f ou r
a x i om s i n m in d m ay b e expec ted to set i n m ot ion m un ic i pal
act i vit i e s O f a u s e fu l cha racte r w i th mo re c ert ai nty a n d l es s f ric
t ion than wo ul d be po s si bl e u n d e r a c l um s i e r plan
”
“
LO NG —W ith you r s avi ng cl a u se o f oth e r th ing s be i ng eq ua l
I am e v en w i l l in g to a dmi t you r concl u s ion ; bu t i t st ri ke s me
th at you h av e by n o mean s p roved you r ca s e Yo u d evi se a
bal lot , w h ich —con sid e red me re ly a s a ba l l ot —sho u l d b e most
,
’
,
’
,
.
,
,
.
,
.
‘
,
,
.
.
.
,
.
.
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
,
’
’
.
.
,
,
,
.
,
.
S H O RT B A LL O T
1 1
7
p l easin g to ev e rybody exc ep t t h e p ri nters an d p ape r m an ufac
t ure rs ; th en yo u l i ken i t to a p i ec e o f mach i n e ry a nd a ss u m e
th at i t s th e i dea l th i ng w i th w h i ch to tu r n th e wh e el s o f a c ity
gov e rn ment B u t to u se a si mi la r m etaph o r I m igh t m ent i on
th e fact that a watch th o ugh a fi n e c omp act p i ec e o f mac h in e ry
i s fo r som e p u rp o ses h a rd ly a s u s e fu l a s a l a rge r ( th ough
cl um si e r ) steam engi ne ; though o th er thing s b ei ng equal i t
m ight be Th e t ro ub le i s oth e r th in g s aren t equ al
S H ORT— It rema i n s th en to p rov e th at th e S hort B al lot
wh i ch yo u co n s i d e r d e s i rab l e i n i t sel f ha s n o co unte rvai l ing d i s
a dvant age s to O ff set i t s m e r it s
LO N G —E xact ly ; an d t o b e mo re sp ec i fi c I w i l l m ent i on th ree
o r f ou r o f wh at I th in k a re conce de d to be th e ch i e f weakn es se s
o f th e S ho rt B al lot p l an a s app l i ed to m un ic ip a l it i e s
Yo u m ight
knoc k th em down i f yo u can on e at a t i m e Fi rs t :
T h e S hort B al lot mean s con cent rat ion o f p o we r an d respo n
s ib i l ity i n a v e ry fe w han d s
W hi l e th i s may wo rk w el l i n s ma l l
c it i e s I am con v i nced th at i n v e ry l a rge m un ic ip al it i e s i t w o u l d
b e u n wi s e
S H O RT— M y an s w e r to that obj ec t i on i s th at w e h av e b oth
been tac itl y a s s u mi ng th e S hort B a l l ot an d c o m m i sio n gov e rn
m ent to b e synonymou s term s As to th e wi s dom o f p u tt ing
th e gove rnm ent o f a c ity th e s i z e o f S t P au l o r N ew O rl ean s
in to th e h an d s o f fi v e o r eight men th at i s a qu est i on w e m i ght
—
—
ostp
on
e
ti
l
l
w
e
h
ave
agre
ed
a
s
I
a
m
s
u
r
e
w
e
w
i
ll
o n th e
p
wi s dom o f th e S hort B al lot fo r ev ery ci ty n o matte r h ow l a rge
T her e a re rough ly sp eak ing two ( p a rti al l y ov er l app i ng )
g roup s o f m en i n every c ity g o v er n m ent—th o se w h o d eterm i n e
p ol i c i e s a nd t ho se w h o do th e actu al wo rk o f a dmin is tratio n c r
eng i n ee r i n g I t i s a fun dam enta l requ i rem en t t h at th e p eopl e
sh al l h av e th e righ t to pa rt icip ate i n th e p ol i cy -d ete rm i n in g
fu nction b y choo sing th e m en who a re to ex erc i s e it B ut h av
ing ch osen fo r ex amp l e c o u nc i l me n wh o a re k nown to favo r a
sewa ge d i spo sal sy stem f o r t h e i r c i ty th e ch o ic e by pop u l a r vote
o f an eng in ee r to de s ign th e p l ant o r a sup e ri nten d ent to m an
age it w ou l d Ob vio u sly b e u n w i s e
LO NG—Oi co u rs e t h er e a re m any i mp ortan t p o s it ion s w h i ch
from th ei r ve ry n at u re c an not w i s el y b e fi l l e d by pop u l a r v ot e
I am w e l l a wa re too th at th ere a re m any l i tt l e O ffi ce s w h i ch
bec au s e o f th ei r compa rat iv e un i mp o rt anc e w i l l n e v er a rou s e a
l i vel y pop u l a r interest S u ch O ffi ces l ike wi s e sh ou l d b e fi l l e d by
'
’
.
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
’
.
,
.
,
,
,
,
.
,
.
,
.
,
.
,
.
-
.
.
,
.
.
,
,
,
*
,
.
.
.
,
,
.
,
,
.
,
,
,
,
.
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
1 1
8
S H O R T B A LLO T
appo i nt ment p e rhap s und e r c i v i l se rv ice r u l e s B ut y o u h av e
not y et e xpl ai ne d ho w w i th you r Sho rt B al lot you wou l d m ake
t h e pol i cy -d et e rm i n ing b ranc h o f th e gove rnmen t s uffi ci ently
l a rge i n n u mb e r s to rep re sen t th e v a riou s s ec t i on s an d i nt ere st s
o f a g reat c i ty
S H O RT—A ssu m ing a l a rge gove rn ing body to be d e si rabl e the
d iffi c u lty c o uld r ea dil y b e met by a j u d i ci ou s u s e o f th e wa rd
sys tem S upp o se fo r examp le t h at i n a c i ty o f a m i l l ion in h ab
i tants i t w e re d eemed w i se to h ave th e p eopl e el ec t th i rty cou n
T h e c ity m igh t b e d i vide d i nto fi ft een
c ilm en a n d a m ayo r
w a rd s each to b e rep resente d by t wo co u nc i l m en By maki ng
t h e l ength O f te rm fou r yea rs an d p rov i d in g fo r th e el ec t ion o f
yo u w ou l d
o n e rep re sen tat i v e from each wa rd eve ry t wo yea rs
h ave a bal lo t on w h ich th e vot e r w o ul d h av e to c h oo se onl y
o r t wo n ame s—c o u nc i l m an and
o n e nam e eve ry s econ d y ea r
m ayo r— ev e ry fo u rth yea r
I n B riti sh c i t i e s a s y o u p robably kno w th e wa rd sy stem
p revai l s —and th ei r g ov e rnm en t s a re admi rab l e Th e vote r i n a
mu n icip al el ect ion i n G la sgow f o r ex amp l e h a s th e sh orte st
p o s s ibl e bal lot fo r h e ch oos e s on ly th e o n e m embe r o f counc i l
f rom h i s ow n w a rd Th e coun c il men i n t u rn choo s e th e al d e r
m en wh o al so s i t i n th e counc i l Th e functi on o f th e counc i l i s
t o dete rm i n e p ol ici e s wh i c h a re ca r ri e d out by th e m ayo r an d
oth e r ci t y offi ce rs ch o sen by th e cou nci l
Rememb e r I am n ot exp res s i ng app rov al o r d i sapp ro val O f
th e w a rd sy st em f o r l a rge A me ri can m un i cipal i t i e s bu t am
me rel y p oin t ing out th at a compa rat ively la rg e gove rn i ng body
an d a v e ry S h o rt B a l l ot a re no t n ece s sa ri ly incomp ati bl e O f o ne
t h in g I am v e ry su re — th at w i th too many c ounc i l men th e sel ec
t ion o f each b ecome s o f s uch c ompa rat i v e un i mpo rtanc e a s to
m i n i m iz e p opu l a r i ntere st I n any c a se m un i c ipa l el ect ion s
sh ou l d b e h e l d i n a sepa rate yea r o r at any rat e at a s epa rate
t im e from state and nat i onal el ect ion s
LO NG—Th e advantage s o f th e S h o rt B a l l ot a s y o u o utl i n e
th em se e m u nan sw e rab l e ; an d poin ti ng o u t a s y o u d o th a t th e
S h o rt B al l ot an d c omm i s sio n gove rn m ent a re no t n ec es sa ri ly
syn onymou s I am rea dy to conc ed e th e d e si rabi l ity O f t he forme r
H o w w ou l d y o u d e fi n e th e Sh o rt B a l lot p ri nci pl e i n the b rie fe st
p o s s ibl e te rm s ?
S H O RT—P e rh ap s I cannot d o bette r tha n to q uot e th e defin i
t i on o f th e Nat iona l S h ort B al l ot O rgan i zat ion :
.
,
,
,
.
,
'
.
,
,
.
.
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
.
,
,
.
,
,
.
.
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
S H O RT B ALLO T
1 20
a great c ity i n th e op i n ion o f many i s th at too m uch p owe r
i s th u s p l aced i n th e h an d s o f t oo f e w m en A com m i ssi on o f
fi ve i f th ree o f th em a re n ot o f th e ri ght ki n d m i gh t b e m an
ip ul ated w i th g reat eas e by franch i s e g rabbe r s
S H O RT—T ha t fea r doe sn t wo rry m e a bi t I n th e fi rst p l ac e
m en wh o can b e man ip ul ated a re n ot ap t to b e el ecte d o n a
S ho rt B al lot ; sh o u l d any su ch m en happ en to s l i d e i nto offi c e
th e o ffi c e i t s el f i s so con sp i cuou s that m anipu l at i on i s r en d ered
exceed ingly d i ffi cu lt I n any ca s e th e p ubl i c inte re st s c an read i ly
b e p rotected by p rov i d i n g i n th e ch a rte r tha t eve ry franch i se
g rant sh al l b e submi tt ed to popu la r vot e ; o r i f th i s i s not con
p rov i s ion may be m ade fo r a n opti onal re fe r
s id ered de si rabl e
de r wh ich th i rty o r s i xty day s m u st el ap se be fo re any
en d um u n
f ranch i se grant sh al l t ak e e ffect w ith i n wh ich t i m e a c e rtai n
p e rc entage o f th e c i ti z en s may d em an d it s fu rth e r po stpon em ent
u nt i l rati fi ed by p op u l a r vote
LO NG—T h e mo st con sp icu o u s w eakn e s s o f t he comm i s s i on
f orm i n my op i n i on i s that th e se ch art e r s u s ua l ly p l ac e i n th e
h and s o f fi ve m en n ot only th e p ol i cy -dete rmi ni ng function bu t
th e admi n i st rat i ve funct i on a l so ; th e sam e s mal l gro up o f m en
a re g i ven po we r to l egi sl ate and to en fo rc e th ei r o wn l aw s ; to
app rop ri ate mon ey fo r p ubl ic wo rk s an d to spen d th i s money
th ems e lve s
S H O RT —T h e re I th in k y ou h a ve h i t up on th e m o st fu nda
m enta l obj ection to th e c omm i s s ion plan
B u t w e both ag re e
that o u r vaunte d Am erican sy s tem o f ch eck s an d bal ance s h a sn t
so l v ed i t Th e p rob l em I th i nk w i l l b e p a rt i a l ly sol v ed by th e
i nc rea si n g p e r f ect i on o f o u r m un ic ip al c i vi l s e rvic e l aw s And
o f g reat i mpo rtanc e a l so w i l l b e th e grad ual d evel opmen t an d
t ra i n ing i n t h i s c ount ry o f m u n ic ipa l expe rt s w h o w i l l be em
pl oyed by ou r ci ty com m i s s i on s j u s t a s th e di recto r s o f a c o r
To ret u rn to ou r
po ratio n no w emp loy a bu si n e s s manage r
m ach in ery metaph o r w e m u st rem embe r th at i t s th e man w ith
h i s h and on th e l eve r o n who m th e fi na l respon s i bi l ity m u s t re st
Th e actu a l run n in g o f th e compl icated m ach in e ry o f a c ity gov
o r even to
e r n m en t sh o u l d n t b e l e ft to no vi ce s l ike y o u o r m e —
fi v e o f th em
B u t th i s city manage r mu st o f co u r se be res po n
s ibl e t o the comm i ss ion e r s a n d not i nd epen d ent o f t hem
LO NG—I un d e r stan d that som e s uc h p lan i s a l ready bei ng
t ri ed
S n o w —Yes ; th e c ity o f Stau nton V a som e fou r yea r s ago
,
,
.
,
,
.
’
.
,
,
.
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
,
.
.
'
.
,
,
.
.
’
,
.
’
.
,
,
.
.
,
.
,
,
S H O R T B ALL O T
1 21
e l ected a gen era l manage r wh i l e ret a i n ing th e m ayo r an d cou nci l
p lan o f gov ern men t ; an d i n J u n e o f th i s yea r S u mte r S C
adop te d a n e w ch art e r p ro v i di ng fo r t h ree com m i ss ion e r s d ra w
fo r t h e mayo r an d $2 00 fo r t h e
i ng n om in al s ala ri e s
other s ) an d giv i ng on ly p a rt o f th ei r t i m e to d i rect ing th e ci ty s
b u s i n es s
Th e se comm i s si one r s i n tu rn c h o o s e a city m an age r
w ho n eed n o t b e a l oca l r e s i d ent an d w h o wi l l h ol d offi ce at
th ei r p l ea su re
P rov i s ion i s a l so ma d e i n th e c ha rt e r for th e
i n it i ati v e re f e ren du m an d r ecal l Th e S um te r p l an st ri kes m e
a s bei ng an a dm i rab l e o n e fo r a sma l l c i ty
LONG A n i nt e rest i ng elaborat i on of th i s i dea i s e mbodi ed in
t he n e w fo rmo f c i ty gov e rn m en t p rop o se d by th e B u si n e s s S y s
tern o f G ov ern ment C ommi ttee o f I n d i ana
A re y 0u fam i l i a r
w ith i t ?
S H O RT— I u n de r stan d i t i s an attemp t t o adapt to m u n ic ip al i
t i e s th e syst em o f s ucces s fu l b u s i ne s s co rp o rat ion s b ut am not
fa m i l i a r w i th th e d eta i l s
LO NG— In b ri e f th e I n dian a p ropo sa l cont emp l at e s th e el ec
t ion o n a n on —p a rt i san b a l lot o f a boa rd o f co u nc i lo r s con s i st ing
o f 2 5 I 7 I I o r 9 m emb ers th e n u mbe r d ep en d i ng on th e s i z e
o f th e c ity T h e t erm i n each c as e i s fou r yea rs ha l f o f th e
co unc il o rs to b e e l ecte d f rom t h e c ity at l arge ev e ry s econ d y ea r
T h e sal a ry o f each m embe r i s fi x ed at $5 fo r each m eet ing
att en ded an d n ot to excee d $200 p e r y ea r T h e boa r d o f co u n
c il o r s h as n o p ri m a ry l egi s l at i v e f u nct ion s an d n o adm i n i strat i v e
duti e s an d p ow e rs th o ugh i t fi nal ly p a ss e s on al l o rd i n an ce s
fi xe s th e t ax l evy an d au dit s t h e p ub l i c accou nt s
I t s ch i e f func
t i on i s to el ect ( an d fi x t h e sala r i es o f ) th e bo ar d o f a dm in i st ra
t ion o f th e c ity comp ri si ng th e mayo r an d fou r comm i s s ion er s
Th e board o f cou nc i l o rs a l so app o i nt s t wo comm i s s ion er s o f e l ec
t ion an d th re e m embe r s o f th e ci v i l s ei v ic e c o m m i s s w n a s w el l
a s th e m embe r s o f th e sch oo l bo a rd an d p a rk comm i s si on T h e
city gov e rnm ent i s d i vi de d in to fi v e d ep artm ent s i n c h a rge o f
th e mayo r an d th e oth e r fo u r m emb er s o f th e b oa rd o f a dm in i
any o n e o f w ho-m can b e remo ve d by th e coun ci l or s by
s tratio n
a t w o -th i rd s vot e T h e cou nci l o r s i n tu rn a r e s ubj ect to recal l
by th e c it i z e ns wh o al so have th e i n it iat i v e an d re fe ren du m
p ri v i l eges
I u n d e rstan d th at a n act i v e camp a i gn fo r th i s
”
“
b u s i n es s s yst em o f go v e rn ment
i s n o w b ei n g con d uct e d
by i t s spon so r s i n I n d i an a
H o w do e s th e p rop o s al i mp res s
you ?
,
.
,
.
,
’
,
.
,
,
.
.
,
—
.
"
,
.
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
.
.
,
.
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
'
'
,
.
,
,
.
.
,
,
.
.
,
S H O RT B AL L O T
1 22
S H O RT—I j u dge th at th e p l an i s ba se d o n th e th eo ry th at the
p ropos ed b oa rd o f cou nc i lo rs co r respond s to th e boa rd o f di rce
to r s o f a bu s in e s s co rpo ra tion ; an d that th e m ayo r an d co mmi s
s io n er s co r re spon d to th e b u si ne s s ma nage r an d h ead s o f d ep a rt
m ent s cho sen by an d resp on s i bl e t o th e boa r d o f d i recto rs B ut
I see th i s i mpo rtant d i st incti on : a co rpo rat i on s d i recto r s have
a p e r sonal fi n a nc ial i nt e res t i n th e s ucc e s s fu l man agemen t o f
th ei r en te rp ri se fo r th e d i recto rs a re u s ual ly chos en —o r choos e
t h em se l ve s — from a mong th e l a rge st stoc kho l d e r s
I n a m un i
on the oth e r hand i t i s e s sen ti a l th at th e gov ern ing
c ip a l ity
boa rd be kept f ree o f m en wh o h av e fi nanc ia l i nte re st s o f the i r
o wn t o se rve ; th e sp u r to eff ect i v e wo rk m u st b e c iv i c p ri d e
o r at l ea st n oth i ng mo re s el fi sh than th e de s i re t o sha re i n th e
s am e d egree a s al l oth e r c it i z en s i n th e c ity s w el fa re T he
s ucc e ss o f the I nd i an a p l a n wou l d o f c ou r se d epen d l a rgely o n
th e pe rsonn el o f th e boa rd o f cou nci lo r s ; an d I fea r th at w ith
1 7 o r 2 5 men el ected f ro m t h e c ity at la rge th e ba l l ot w ou l d b e
t oo long an d th e re spon sib i l i ty n o t s uffi c i ently concent rated ; to
sec u re th e best re s u lt s
I f th e boa rd o f cou nci lor s i s k ept a s l a rg e a s i s p ropo sed
an d el ect ed from th e c ity a s a who l e I b el i ev e t he In d iana com
m ittee wou l d do w el l to p rov i de t hat s uch el ecti on s be h el d
u nd e r som e p la n o f p ropo rti onal rep re sen tat ion s uc h a s th e
Ha re sy stem o f a s i ngl e t ran s fe rab l e v ote w h i ch i s i n s ucc es s ful
u se i n m u n ic ipa l e l ect ion s i n D enm a r k an d t he Un ion o f S outh
A frica
I t st ri ke s m e al so th at— in th e smal l e r c it i e s at l ea st —th e
d i v i d ing o f th e m u n ic ipa l gove rn men t i nto fi v e ex ec ut i ve d epa rt
m ent s i n cha rge o f fi ve sepa rat e comm i ss ion e r s cho s en from
o ut si de o f th e boa rd o f counc i l o rs w o u l d b e a rath e r exp en si ve
and c umbe r som e pl an I n ci ti e s o f l es s th an
pop u l ation
I b e l i ev e t h at th ree com m i s si one rs wou ld be amp l e ; an d i t may
b e th at i n c i ti e s o f
o r l e s s o n e ma n o f rea l abi l ity wou ld
be abl e to s upe rv i se th e ad m i n i st rat iv e en d o f th e c ity s b u si nes s
T h e I n d i an a p ropo sal i s h ow eve r a ve ry i n te re st ing on e and
w ith s uc h mod i fi cat i on s a s fu rthe r d i scu ss i on an d p ract ica l ex
p e rienc e m ay s ugge st i t m ay d evel op f rom an I nd i ana p la n i nto
an Ame rican pl an
LO NG —If I ha d t h e ea r o f tha t I ndi ana c o un n ittee an d othe r
c ha rt e r m ake rs I w ou ld suggest tha t th ey t ry t o wo rk out a
scheme by wh ich eff ect i ve c o op e rat ion wou ld be e stabl i she d b e
.
,
'
'
,
.
,
,
.
,
,
,
’
.
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
'
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
'
.
,
,
.
,
,
,
S H O R T B ALLO T
1 24
m i sce l l an eo u s m i no r el ect i ve offi c e rs a re d i spo sed t o j ubi l ate
ov e r th e resu l t s t h ey a re gett i ng whe rea s th e c i ti e s th at h ave
th e com m i s si on p l an s eem to b e u n an im o u s i n th ei r w i l l in gn es s
to k eep i t i n de fi n i tely on th e g roun d that w h eth e r i t b e p er fect
o r n ot i t i s ce rta i n l y a va st i mp rov em en t ove r i t s p red eces so r
No th ing i n p ol it i ca l sc i ence c an b e demon strate d w it h math e
m atic a l ce rta inty b ut I s ubm i t th at fo r th e rea son s that fol l o w
it s eem s rea sonabl e to bel i eve th at th e es s ent i al facto r i n th i s
relat i v e s ucc es s o f com m i s si on gove rnmen t i s t h e fact that i t h a s
“
happen ed to i n vol ve comp l ete acceptanc e o f th e S ho rt B al l ot
”
p rincip l e
“
A s d e fi n ed by T h e S ho rt B al l ot O rgan i zat i on
th e S ho rt
”
B a l lot p ri nc ip l e i s
Fi r st —T h at o n ly th o se o ffi ce s s ho u l d be el ect i ve wh i c h a re
i mpo rtant eno ugh t o att ract ( a n d de se rv e ) p ubl ic exam inat ion ;
and
S econ d — T hat v e ry few o ffi c es shou l d b e fi l l e d by el ec ti o n at
o n e ti me so a s to p e rm i t ad equate an d u ncon f u se d p ubl ic ex am i
n at i on o f th e c an d i d ate s
Comm i s sion gov ern men t v e st i ng th e p o we r i n a s ingle bo ard
w h ic h i s so sma l l an d s o p ow e r fu l that th e in d i v id u al memb e r
i s c on sp i cuou s c on fo rm s p rec i s e l y to th i s p ri ncip l e T he re are
o b se rvabl e c e rta i n phen omena i n th e ope rati on o f comm i s s ion
gov ern m en t w h ich a re cl ea rly t rac eab l e t o i t s S h o rt B al l ot
Fi rst th e p eop l e kno w wh at th ey a re d oi ng on el ect ion d ay
Any foreign e r wou l d i n stant ly t ake i t fo r g ra nte d th at th i s i s a
n ece s sity fo r a wo rkabl e d em oc racy bu t i n th i s co un t ry s o
obv iou s a fact ha s been con si st ent ly igno red I n ev e ry c ity u nde r
th e ol d styl e o f gov e rn men t w e see g reat m u l t it ude s o f p eopl e
“
”
vot in g a st raight t icket
n o t becau se
o f any
o verwhel m i ng
l oyal ty to th ei r p a rty b u t becau se t h ey kn o w o f n oth i ng bette r
to d o Th e typi cal A me r ic an vot e r vot e s fo r h i s mayo r w ith
c l ea r c on vict i on H e can a rgu e about th e mayo r on th e street
w ith any vote r c an expla i n h i s rea son s fo r h i s v ot e i s a rm ed
w i th a con s id e rab l e a rray o f fact s an d h i sto ry an d h i s vot e
rep re sent s a w el l - fo rm ed op i n ion T h e m ayo rs o f typi cal ol d
styl e c iti e s a re co rre spon d i ngly bette r rep resen tat i ve s o f p ubl ic
Op in i on th a n th e va riou s ob sc u re offi c e r s wh o m ak e u p th e re st
an d pol it ic i an s con si stent l y nom i nat e fig u reh ead s
o f t h e t i cket
fo r th e mayo ral ty beca u se t h ey m u st ha ve a s can d idat e som e
man w ho can stan d th e l imel ight I n thi s matte r o f th e c on
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
,
'
,
.
,
.
,
.
.
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
.
,
,
,
.
’
,
.
S H OR I
BA L L OT
‘
1 25
o ffi c e o n wh i ch p ubl i c d i scu s sion foc u ses th e pol iti c ian
de sp ite th e fact tha t h e h ol d s com p l ete p o s s es s io n o f th e n om i
n at i ng mach i n e ry i s exceed ing ly d e f e rent ia l to M r P l ai n C i t i
z en A typ i c al Ame rican v ot er h o w ev e r fi n d s on his ba ll ot not
m e re ly a s et o f ca nd i d ate s fo r m ayor b u t al so a ho st o f can
did ate s for a st ri ng o f p etty offi c es
Th e r e a r e weak co u nci l
m en fo r i n stanc e Th e p o w er o f th e cou nci l a s a wh ol e may
b e l a rg e b u t i t i s u s u al ly so d i s sip ate d by d i vi s i on among an
u n rea sonab ly l a rge n u mbe r o f m emb e r s t hat th e i ndi v i d u a l
c ou nc i l man i s o f no accou nt an d p ub l i c op i n i on re f u se s to
w a st e i t s b reath up on h i m
T h e re are a l so v a ri o u s m ino r
el ect i ve ad m i n i st rato rs s uc h as c i ty t r ea s u re r co mpt rol l e r boa rd
o f p ubl i c wo rk s p res i den t o f co unci l etc o ffi c e s wh i ch a re ei th e r
i n sign i fi can t i n p o w er o r so u n inte re st in g i n cha ract e r th at t h ey
co mp letely esc ap e p ub l i c scruti ny
T h e p eop l e ar e h u m an b ei ng s an d exc ep t i ng u n de r s om e c o m
p u l si on are n ot to b e e xp ect ed to take a n i n te rest i n un i nt e rest
i ng th ings T h i s s i mp l e an d w el l —
known u n wi l l i ngn es s o f th e
p eop l e to get e xc ited ov e r u n i nte resti ng matt e rs h a s n o t been
taken in to acco u nt i n desi gn in g c i ty go v e rn ment s C ha rte r c om
“
m ittees h ave s a id i n e ffect :
Th e ci t i z en s o ugh t to b e i ntere sted
i n getti ng th e righ t m an fo r c ity t rea su re r Th e re fo re w e w i l l
”
m ake th e c ity t rea s u re r el ect i v e
S ub s equ ent e l ect i on s sho w ed
th a t th e ci t i z en s w e re n o t i nte rest ed ; th e g r eat maj o ri ty o f t hem
p a i d n o att enti on t o th e matter an d i n con sequ ence th e c on t ro l
o f th at o ffi c e wa s l eft i n th e h an d s o f a smal l m i n or ity
This
“
”
ap athy o f th e c i t iz e n s c an b e exp la i ne d a nd i s n ot i n ex cu sab l e
w hen it i s con s i d ered t hat th e o ffi c e o f ci ty t re a s u re r h a s n oth i ng
to d o wi th t h e b road p ol ic i e s o f th e t own an d i s n o t t ru ly
pol i tical th e o nl y i s su e i nv ol ve d b ei ng th e qu e st i on o f wh i ch o f
th e se vera l a sp i rant s sh al l h ol d t he j o b an d d ra w th e sal a ry
Tha t i s n ot a n i s s u e l arge enough u n l e ss th e re b e great scan da l
to ca u se a l l th e m en o f a c i ty to st an d up d i v i d e an d b e cou nted
“
Fo r th e Ch a rte r Rev i s ion Co m mi tte e t o s ay
i t s th e p eop l e s
d uty t o l i v e up to th e s e requ i rement s w h i ch w e l ay do wn fo r
”
th em i s sh ee r i mp e rt i n enc e I f th e p e o p l e w i l l not g rac io u sly
d ei gn t o do c e rtain w o rk th at i s la i d out fo r th em t o do th e
s en si bl e and p rop e r s ol ut ion o f th e d i ffi cu l ty i s to chan ge th e
requ i rem ent s i n acco rdanc e w ith t h e p e op l e s acti on I f th e
mo u nt ain w i l l n o t com e t o M ah o mm ed M ah o mm ed m u st g o to
the mount ai n
s pic uo us
,
,
,
.
,
.
,
,
,
.
.
,
,
,
.
-
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
,
.
.
,
.
,
.
,
.
,
.
,
,
,
.
,
’
’
.
‘
,
’
.
,
.
,
1 26
S H O RT B A L LO T
I n th e c om m i ss io n p l an th e re a re at mo st on ly fi ve elect iv e
o ffi ce rs i n th e w h ol e c i ty T h ey a re al l i mpo rtant and sha re i n
th e d ete rmi nat i on o f pol i c i e s an d th e p eopl e con sequ ently ta ke
a great n atu ral an d spont an eo u s i nte re st i n ev ery on e o f thos e
e l ect i v e p os i t i on s M r P l ai n Ci t i z en can a rgu e abou t e ve ry on e
o f th e fi v e m en j u st a s i n th e o l d d ay s h e cou l d a rgue abo ut
th e ma yo r O n e l ec t ion day h e e xp re s se s a c l ea r con v ict ion
rega rd ing ev e ry el ecti v e offi c e He i s c omp l et ely th e ma ste r o f
h i s bal lot an d h i s ma stery h a s b een acqu i re d wi th ou t con sc iou s
e ff o rt I t i s a s i f th e e xh o rtat ion s o f re fo rme r s h ad succeed ed
i n i n d uc ing a l l goo d cit iz en s to go i nto p ol it ic s ; on ly i n th i s ca se
p o litic s h a s been s i mp l i fi ed a n d th e reby b rou gh t to th e p eop l e
S u rely th i s u n iqu e ph enom enon o f th e c omm i s sion -governed c ity
th e fact th at th e p eop l e kno w w hat t hey a re d oing o n el ect ion
day i s a ve ry v ita l an d i mp o rtan t on e I t i s d u e to th e sh o rten
an d n ot t o any e xci tem ent o f c i vic i nt ere st
i n g o f th e b a l lot
a mong th e p eopl e T h e p eop l e o f G al ve ston w e re th e sam e
a fte r th e fl o o d a s b e fo re Th e p eop l e o f H ou ston d i d not
und e rgo a mo ra l uphe ava l wh en c om m i ss ion go ve rnm ent wa s
e stabl i sh ed N e i th e r d i d the Peopl e o f D es M oi ne s Ceda r
Rap id s o r Leaven wo rth I t wa s th e b al l ot th at ch anged not
th e p eopl e Inc id ental ly do e s i t no t seem po s s i bl e t hat th e p eo
p l e o f th e m uc h admi red B ri t i sh c it i e s w h ich al so h av e an exc eed
“
”
sh o rt b a l lot
may not be i nd i v i d u al ly a bi t mo re al i ve
i n g ly
natu ral ly on c i vi c qu e st i on s t h an ou r o wn p eop le ? I s i t not
re asonabl e to b e l i ev e that th e i r h u man n at u re i s th e s am e a s
"
“
ou r s and th at i f an Ame rica n c ity adopted tha t S ho rt Bal lot
p l an i t wo u l d get si m i l a rly sat i s factory re su l t s ?
I t i s obv i ou s th a t wh en al l th e p eopl e o f a c ity kn o w wh at
t h ey a re do i ng o n el ect ion d ay th at s epa rat e c l a s s o f pol it ica l
“
”
sp ec i al i st s kn own a s pol it ic ian s coi nc i dent al ly d i sappea rs Th e
pol itic i an i s si mp ly a c it i z en w h o kn o w s w ha t h e i s d oi ng o n
el ect i on day H e i s a m a n w ho d oe s al l th e wo rk w h ich c it i z en
sh i p requ i re s o f h im I n th e o ld sty l e c ity w h ere th e w o rk
“
t he se c ompl et e c i t i z en s
o f th e vote r i s ob scu re a n d c ompl e x
a re so few a s to con st it ut e a d e fi n ite rul i ng c l a s s—a n ol i g a rchy
S impl i fy t h e wo rk o f th e c i ti zen s suffi c iently and a l l th e c it i z en s
a utomati cal ly bec om e eff ect iv e p ol it ic i an s an d th e po l it ica l s pe
h i ms el f n o mo re infl uent i a l t han the
c ia l is t o f th e pa st fi nd s
a ve rage c it i z en
I n th e la st ana ly si s I t h i nk o u r compla i nt aga i n st ou r c ity
.
,
,
,
.
.
,
'
.
.
.
.
,
.
,
,
.
.
'
.
,
.
,
.
,
,
-
,
,
,
.
,
.
.
.
"
,
.
,
.
,
1 28
S H O RT B ALLO T
ay d eterm i ne wh o i s to
m u n icip al resea rc h by d i l i gen t del vi ng m
bl am e f o r d ep a rtm ental i n e ffi c i en cy i n a l most any c i ty but th a t
,
i s by n o m ean s th e sam e th i ng a s hav i ng eve ry c i t iz en i n t ow n
kn o w beyon d do ubt w h o i s re spon s ibl e w ith ou t any i n vesti gat i on
at a l l A c it i z en o f a comm i s si on -gove rne d ci ty fi n d ing a st ree t
d i rty kno w s th at fi ve m en w hom h e can nam e by n am e a re r e
spon s ibl e t h a t th ey h av e p o w e r t o r ai se enou gh mon ey to k eep
th e st reet c l ean and to h i re th e s weep e r s an d to see th at th ey
do th e wo rk I n s u ch ci rc u mstanc es th e c it i zen feel s som e
s ati s fact ion i n m ak i ng a compla i nt a n d eve ry city ha s s een a
mo st sp ectacu l a r r ev i v a l o f i nte rest an d act i vity i n m u n ic ip a l
aff a i rs among th e c it i z en sh ip I f th e c o mm i s s i on w e re a v e ry
l a rge on e so th at th e i n d i v i d u a l m emb e r s o f i t w e re n ot c l ea r
ta rget s t he r e wou l d be m uch l e s s sat i s fac ti on fo r t h e c i ti z en
s i n ce th e fai l u re o f a m emb e r to gi ve th e p rop er attent i on t o a
reason ab l e d eman d wo ul d b e l e s s con sp ic u ou s an d w ou l d st a rt
l es s tal k T h e fact tha t each comm i s si on er i n th e smal l com
m i s s i on i s p ubl i c p rop e rty so to sp eak an d i s kn o wn to eve ry
c i t i z en a s th e m ayo r al on e wa s kno w n i n t h e o ld styl e pl an
c au se s eve ry c iti z en to take n ot ice o f any f au l t o r fa i l u re t o do
righ t Th e co mmi s si on e r s r epu tat ion i n th e comm un ity i s c o n
w i t h th e se c ri t ic i sm s Wh en
s ta n t ly fl uctu at ing i n acco rdance
a n attack i s ma d e o n h i m h i s con sp ic uo u sn e s s fo rc e s h i m to
rep l y an d h i s rep ly i s w a ite d fo r by th e p eopl e T h e sam e
attack a imed at an obsc u re an d i ncon sp ic uou s a ld e rman o f the
wo u l d go u nnot ic e d an d th e al de rman s pol it ical
o l d regi m e
st rength m igh t not fl uctu at e at al l A con sp ic u ou s offi c ia l i s
n at u ra l ly mo re sen s it i ve t h an an i n con sp ic uo u s o ne P u t a
typ ic al o l d styl e pol it ic ian i nt o th e spotl igh t o f a comm i s si on e r
sh i p a n d h e w i l l b re ak lo os e f ro m ol d a s soc iat ion s an d tem pta
t i on s becau se h e i s u nab l e t o w ith stan d th e p ubl i c c rit ic i sm
wh ich i s l au nch ed at h i m i f h e fai l s to s erve th e w h ol e peopl e
T i m e and aga i n w e h av e seen th i s ph enomeno n i n th e ca se o f
mac h i n e mayo r s I n th e com m i s si on g o ve rn m ent w e h av e p rae
t ical l y ent ru st ed th e p ow e r to a b o a r d o f mayo rs
Th e re i s n o such th ing i n d emoc rati c p robl em s a s i nc o n s p ic u
o u s acc ou ntabi l ity Con spic uou sn es s i s e s sent i a l I t i s on ly an
oth e r w ay o f say i ng t ha t th e p eopl e a s ma st e rs o f a n el ect i ve
se rvant can cont rol h i m on ly i f they s ee wh at h e i s d o ing \V h en
a l l th e p eopl e s ee wh at a man i s do in g t hat man i s ips o fa r to
Con s pic uou sn es s t o a c erta i n ex tent
ex CCCd ingly c o n s pic uo us
,
.
,
.
,
,
.
,
.
,
.
,
,
,
,
’
.
.
,
.
,
'
.
.
,
.
.
.
.
.
.
,
.
'
,
,
S H O R T B A LL O T
“
1 29
’
m ean s stan d i ng a l on e
O n e o f a c row d c an not b e con sp i cuou s
—an d th e re w e a r e b ac k a t th e S ho rt B al l ot aga in "G overnment
i n th e l i gh t i s s a fe r than gove rn m en t i n th e da rk— th at i s
obv iou s — a nd any syst em wh i ch p ro vi de s f o r s uch" concen t rated
sc rut iny a s th e c o mm i s s i on p l an d oe s sh o ul d b e abl e to sho w
sup er io r re sul t s ov e r t h e ol d styl e j u ngl e o f ob sc u ri t i es
T h e com m i s si on p l an i s m o re th an a S h o rt B al lot pl an ho w
e ve r It i s a fair ly c o r r ec t S ho rt B al l ot p lan
A n effi c i en t o rgan i z a tio n mu st h av e a s i ng l e h ea d ; n o t n ec es
s a ril y a s in gl e man
bu t at l ea st a s i ng l e boa rd o r c omm i ttee i n
wh i ch al l th e re i n s o f p o we r a re cent ere d an d u nifi ed How
o ften do w e s ee v ol u nta ry o rgan i zat ion s r anging f ro m a soc ia l
p icn i c up to a n i n fo rma l a s soc i at i on go to p i ec es o r devel op
ser iou s i n e ffi c i en cy n o t b ecau s e o f th e w eakn es s o f any pa r
Ou r
tic u l a r m emb ers b ut from th e si mp l e l ack o f a s i ngl e b o s s
Nei th er th e mayor n o r t h e
o l d s tyl e gov ernment s a re h ead l es s
c o unci l n o r anyon e el s e con st it utes th e cou rt o f u lt i mat e app ea l
Nobody i s b o s s u n l e s s th e p eop le w it h th at si ngula r pol i ti c al
gen i u s o f th e Am eri can s del eg at e t he i r f un ct ion s to a m ach in e
bo s s w h o w i l l n omi n at e an d cont r o l p upp et s an d k eep t h em
w o rki ng i n h a rmony by th e u s e o f u n l aw fu l i n fl u ence
T h e com mi ss ion p l an b reak s w ith o u r ol d sup e r st it i on s r e
“
ga rd i ng th e d e s i rab i l i ty o f th e s ep arat ion o f p ow er s an d p ro
v i des a comp l et e u n i fi cat ion o f p ower s ; a un i fi c at io n that i s ab so
l u tely e ss ent i al to accountabi l i ty
Th e s in gl e boa rd h a s p o w e r
to do eve ryt h in g an d h enc e c an b e hel d r e sp o n s ibl e f o r anv
f ai l u re t o do a nyt hi n g wh ich th e p eop l e w an t don e
T h e co m
“
m i s s ion i s st ri pp e d o f al l exc u se s I t can n ot say i t i s th e oth er
”
man s fau lt
I f th e p eopl e d eman d l o w tax e s th e com m i s s i on
h a s p ow e r to comp el th e d ep artm ent a l econ om i e s n ec e s sa ry t o
b r i ng th em abo u t I f th e p eop l e w a nt h i gh e r d ep artmental
th e comm i s s i on h a s p o w er t o ra i s e th e money n ee d e d
efli c i en c y
fo r i t I n a des i r e t o p l ea s e c riti c s o n b oth si de s th e c o mm i s si on
i s un de r st rong i n d uc ement s to att emp t to s ecu re b oth d epa rt
menta l e ffi c i en cy an d low ta x e s T h e k now l e dge th at i t w i l l
s ecu re c re d i t fo r goo d d eed s an d d i scred i t fo r bad by re ason o f
th e con sp i cu o u sn e s s o f th e wo rk o f th e i n d i v i du al m emb er s s et s
e ven p ol i ti ca l hack s to re so l ut e end eav or s to pl eas e th e p ub l i c
A b a l l ot o f fi ve o ffi c e r s cou l d b e a rranged a lo ng ot he r l i ne s
and i n fact w e f requ ently do h av e b al l ot s i n A m e rican c iti e s a s
sh u t as th at , bu t th e un e q u al di v i sio n o f po w er an d th e u ne q u al
.
,
o
.
,
.
.
,
.
,
,
,
.
,
.
.
,
,
.
”
'
.
.
.
’
.
,
,
.
,
.
,
.
,
,
.
,
,
,
1
S H O R T B A LLO T
30
int e re st o f th e p eopl e i n t h e o fli c er s re s u lt s u su al ly i n th e o ver
sh ad ow i ng o f s om e o f th e offi ce r s both b efo re an d a ft e r el ect i on
U su al l y th e mayo r get s al l th e l i mel ight at th e e xp en se o f th e
o th e r el ect i v e o ffi c er s I n th e comm i s si on pl an h o w ev e r th e
p ract ical equ a lity - o f th e co m m i s s i on e rs re su l t s i n a co r re spon d
ing ly equal d i v i sion o f th e l i m el ight
E ac h m a n get s h i s sh a re
o f p ub l ic sc rutin y an d i s n o t ove r sh a dow ed T h e Ne w J e rsey
p l an rep resent s th e l ate st dev el op ment s o n th i s poin t an d i s co r
r ec t i n as m uc h a s th e fi v e m en a re ele cted w i thou t d e s ign at ion s
t o offi c e an d ch oo se th e m ayo r from amon g th ei r o w n n u mbe r
a fte r el ect ion
Th e re a re oth e r featu re s be si de s th e S h ort B al lot wh i ch a re
characte ri stic o f comm i s s i o n gove rn m en t an d a re c omp ri sed i n
th e u su al d e fi n it ion o f th e p l an b u t I do n ot see h o w e ve n t h e
mo s t a rd ent s uppo rte r s o f t h es e featu res can p rov e th at t h ey
a re e s sent ia l T h e i n it i at i ve an d r e fe ren du m -b y -p rote st a re
m u ch l au ded by c erta i n enth u si a st s bu t G al ve ston and H ou st on
wh e re th e w av e fi r st sta rted ha ve n eve r h ad th o s e feat u re s Fo r
th e s am e rea son s i t cannot b e sa i d that i t i s th e recal l wh ic h p ut s
offi c ial s on t h ei r goo d beh av i o r an d accoun t s fo r th e s ucc ess o f
th e p lan N ei th e r c an i t b e th e non -p a rt i san bal l ot Fo r th e
c omm i s sion p l an succeed ed b e fo re any o f th e se fea t u re s w e re
add ed to i t an d ha s con ti n u ed a s ucce s s i n G al ve ston an d H on s
ton desp ite th e i r ab senc e
Th e S h o r t B al lot i s th e magi c i n th e co mmi s si o n pl a n an d
f rom gov ernment by po l i tic i an s l i e s i n
o u r u l ti mate sa l vat i on
t h e h op e o f u n i ve rsal recogn i ti on o f th e f ac t a n d th e appl icat ion
o f th e sam e vi ta l p rinc ipl e to ou r c ou nt i e s an d stat e s
,
.
,
,
.
,
,
.
.
,
.
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
,
.
.
,
.
.
An nals
of
th e
A m e r i c a n A c a d em y
N o v e m b e r 1 91 1
-8
.
3
.
,
M u n i cip al G o ve rnment Ad m i n i ste red by a G en era l Manage r
Th e S ta unton P lan Joh n C rosby
.
In
o rd e r t o obtai n a mo re econom ic a n d bu s in e s s sy st em o f
m u n ici pa l gov e rnm ent a la rge n u mbe r o f c i ti e s h ave w ith i n th e
pa st t en year s adopt ed th e comm i ss ion pl an w i th wh ic h ev ery
p e r son i s m o re o r l e s s f am i l ia r
T h e c ity o f St aun ton Vi rg ini a s om e th ree y ea rs ago adopted
th e un i q u e a nd bu s in e ss m etho d o f gov ern ment by a gen e ra l
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
1
S H O R T B AL L O T
32
d i v i de d i nto t wo b ranc h es Th e o n e con si st s o f th e m ayo r an d
th e co u rt s who h av e ch arge o f th e en fo rc emen t o f th e l aw s
p art i cu l arly th e p en al o rd in ance s Th e othe r o r bu si n es s
b ranch i s u n de r th e c ont rol o f t h e gene ral m an age r w h o take s
th e p lac e 0f c ou nc i l commi tte es an d h as f u l l c ha rge an d con t rol
give s bon d fo r th e fa ith fu l
o f a l l th e bu s i n e s s o f th e c ity
p er fo rm ance o f h i s d uty an d i s r esp on si bl e t o th e cou nc i l I n
t h i s a rt icl e I a m d i sc u s s i n g th e b u si n es s po rt i on o f th e execut i v e
b ranc h o f m u n ic ip a l gov e rnmen t
“
”
“
T h e S tau nton p la n i s a democ rat ic gove rn m en t f o r th e
”
p eop l e an d by th e p eop l e
Nei th e r th e p eopl e n o r t h e cou nc i l
ha v e su r ren dere d any o f th e i r sove rei gn r ight s ; th ey hav e si mp ly
c r eate d a n o ffi c e k no wn a s th at o f a gen e ra l m an age r a p ai d
emp l oyee wh o dev o tes h is w hol e t i m e a n d attent ion t o th e
bu sin es s o f th e c i ty a n d w h o i s re spon sib l e to th e co unc i l an d
th e p eop l e i n ste ad o f i ntru st i ng th e a ff ai r s o f th e c i ty t o th e
comm i ttee s o f th e c ou nci l Fo r e ach co unc i l man th in k s th at th e
oth e r m e m b e rs o f th e com m itt ee h av e mor e t i me th an h e h a s
fo r looki ng a ft e r th e b u s i ne s s o f t h e c ity an d eac h commi ttee
man i s o f th e sam e op i n ion —al w ay s w i l l ing t o l et th e oth e r
f el l o w d o i t A s a re su lt t hat w h i ch i s e v ery on e s b u si n e s s i s
no on e s b u s in e s s an d th e poo r o l d c i ty get s al ong th e be s t sh e
c an to th e det ri men t o f th e t ax p aye r i n pa rt i cu l a r an d th e p eop l e
i n genera l Wou l d any p ri vat e c orpo rat i on c on s i de r fo r a
mom ent c on d uct ing i t s bu si ne s s th rou gh co m m itt ee s comp o sed
w h o ha ve
o f stoc k h o l de r s w h o r ec e i ve no p ay fo r suc h s e rv i ce
oth e r b u si n e s s aff a i rs to look a fte r an d wh o w ou l d d evote only
spa re m om ent s so t o sp eak to t h e b u si n e s s o f th e co rpo rat ion ?
A c o rporat i on run o n t h i s p la n w ou l d h a rd ly p rod uc e d i v i d en d s
No w w e h av e
n ei th e r wo u l d i t s stoc k b e sol d at a p re mi u m
s i mp l y don e a s d o th e p r ivat e co rporat ion s W e hav e el ec t ed a
gen e ra l m anage r a p a i d emp loyee t o atten d to th e bu sin e s s o f
th e c i ty an d p rod uc e d i v i d en d s f o r th e taxp aye r by keep i n g
h i s t ax e s d ow n t o th e m in im um rate an d by g i v i ng h i m va l u e
r ec e i ve d fo r eve ry d ol l a r h e p ay s i nto the m u n i ci p al t rea s u ry
‘
T h e mayor i s th e o fli c ia l h ea d o f th e mu n ic ip al ity an d c o rre
T h e gene ra l
s po n ds t o th e p re s id en t o f th e p ri vat e c o rpo rat ion
m anage r o f a m un ic ipal ity i s th e exec ut i ve an d bu s in e s s manage r
who se d u ti e s co rrespond i n eve ry pa rt ic ul a r w it h t h o se o f th e
gene ra l manage r o f a p ri vat e co rp o rat ion T he cou nc i l adopt s
th e o rd in anc e s fi x e s th e rate o f taxat ion an d formul ate s t h e
.
,
,
.
,
'
,
,
,
.
.
.
‘
,
,
,
.
,
’
.
,
’
,
.
,
,
,
,
,
'
.
,
.
,
,
'
.
.
‘
,
.
,
,
S H O R T B A LL O T
1
33
poli cy an d t h e mayo r a n d gen e r al m ana g e r s ee t h at th ey a re
,
ca rri e d o u t Un d e r o ur c on stit ut i on th e mayo r ha s en ti re
c h a rge o f th e p ol ice an d fi re d ep a rtm ent s Th e gen e ra l m an
age r h ow ev e r doe s a l l o f t h e p u rch a si n g fo r th e s e d ep a rtment s
o n a requ i s it io n f ro m th e ch i e fs
W e r etai n th e fi nanc e o rd i
n ances an d a u d it i ng c o mm ittee s a s th e i r d ut i e s r equ i re v e ry
l ittl e ti m e a n d attent ion an d s e rv e a s a ch eck o n t h e gene ra l
man ag e r At t h e begi nn in g o f th e fi scal ye a r t h e gen e ra l m an
age r s ubm i t s h i s e sti mat es t o th e fi n an ce co m m itt ee sh o w i n g
in d eta i l t h e n e ed s o f th e v ar i ou s d ep artment s t ogeth e r w i th
h i s recomm en d at ion s
From th i s rep o rt th e fi n anc e c o m m itt e e
m ake s i t s recom men da t i o n t o t h e cou nci l o f th e a mo un t o f t ax e s
t o b e l e v i e d fo r t h e fi scal y ea r T h e gen e r a l m anager h a s n o
a uth o rity t o fi x t h e r at e o f ta x at i o n o r to co nt rac t loan s o n
a c c o un t o f th e ci ty b u t t h i s i s a l l l e f t in t h e h and s o f th e
fi nan ce c omm itt ee an d th e co u nci l w h o a re th e r ep r esentat i v e s
o f th e p eop l e Th e o r d i n anc e c omm itte e w ith th e as s i stan c e o f
t h e c ity attorn ey d r aw s u p al l o f t h e o rd i n ance s an d p ut s t h em
i n p rop e r l ega l form t o b e p resente d t o th e co u nc i l fo r a dop ti on
T h e au d it i ng co mm itte e p a s se s o n al l o f th e accou nts o f t h e
gene ra l m an age r each month an d mak e s a rep ort t o th e cou n ci l
i n ad dit io n t o th e regu la r qu a rt e rly r ep o rt s ubm i tte d to th e
c o u nci l by th e gen e ra l m an ag e r
Th e gen era l m anager i s requ i re d t o m ake quarte rly and ann ua l
r ep o rt s to th e co unc i l s ho w ing i n det a i l al l wo rk don e by h i m
I n th e g en e ra l m
an ager s o flic e i s kep t a regu l a r s et o f do u b l e
entry b o ok s Wh ich s e rv e a s a comp l et e c h ec k o n th e offi ce o f
t h e ci ty t re as u re r B oth th e gene ra l m anage r and t h e t rea s u rer
r en der mon th ly b al anc es to t h e co u n ci l an d t h e se bal anc e s m u st
agre e th e o n e op e rati ng a s a c h ec k aga i n st th e o th e r T h e book s
i n th e gen er a l m an age r s o flci c e a r e kep t i n s u ch a m an ne r th at a
deta i l ed statement c an b e h a d at any t i m e o n any accou nt a n d
a re al way s o p e n fo r i n spect i on
T here i s no th i ng n e w i n o u r sy stem ; w e h ave si mp l y adop te d
fo r th e gov ern m ent o f o u r c ity t h e b u si n e s s m eth o d s o f th e
p r iv at e corp o rat ion We be l i ev e th at o u r sy stem i s i n m any
resp ect s b ett e r than t h e co mm i s s io n p la n I n D es M o in es fo r
e x amp l e a r ec a l l wa s t h reatene d agai n s t t h e com mi s s ion e r w ho
h a d ch arge 0f t h e p o l i c e d ep a rtm ent H e s ai d h e wa s not to
b l am e fo r con d iti on s s i nce t h e oth er c om m i ss i one r s h a d a ga in st
h i s wi l l , i nstall e d a c h ie f o f p o l ic e w h o d efi ed h im I t se e ms to
.
.
,
,
.
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
,
.
.
,
,
.
,
,
.
,
.
.
,
’
,
.
,
.
,
’
,
,
.
.
'
:
.
,
,
.
'
,
’
'
.
1
S H O RT B ALLO T
34
m e th at ou r sy ste m can be a d apted and ma d e j u st a s app l i cabl e
to a la rg e c i ty a s to sm al l c i ti e s an d to w n s
O f co u r se in a l a rge
c ity th e gen er al man age r w o u l d requ i re a l a rge n umbe r o f
su bo rd i n at e s sup e r i nt en d ent s h ea d s o f dep a rt men t s etc bu t h e
wo u l d b e th e c ent r al an d resp on si b l e h ea d An d i f ad aptabl e
to l a rge c i ti e s why not t o cou n ti es an d state s ? W h at w ou l d b e
th e sav ing t o taxpaye r s i n th e l arge c i ti e s i f th ei r bu si n es s aff ai rs
w ere c on d uct ed o n the sam e bu s i n e s s p ri nc ip l e s a s a re th e l a rge
p ri vate co rpo rat ion s s uc h a s th e S t an da rd O i l Company t h e
Un it e d S tat es S t eel Co rp o rat ion th e g rea t r ai l roa d c o rpo rat ion s
and o the rs ? Th i s sy stem i s n ot ca lcu l at ed t o m eet th e app rov al
o f th e p ol i t ica l g ra fter ; h e p re fe rs th e ol d sy stem a s goo d en ough
f o r h im
A s w e hav e h ad th i s sy ste m i n op e rat ion fo r m o re than th ree
y e ar s an d pa s se d th e exp e rim en ta l state i t w i l l qu i te n at u ral ly
b e a s k ed what h av e been th e re s u l t s ? I t ha s n ot on ly b ee n a
s ucces s i n e ve ry p a rt ic u l a r b u t h a s p rod uc ed bett er re su lt s i n a
sho rt er t i me th an w a s ant i c ip at ed b y i t s mo st enth u s i a st i c su p
p o rte r s T h e p eop l e w i t h few exc ept i on s a re w el l pl ea sed an d
wo u l d n o t u n de r any c on s i d e rat ion retu rn to th e o ld system
Th e ca sua l ob se rv e r c an not h elp not i c ing t h e ma rked i mp rov e
m en t i n o u r street s an d s id ewa l k s I f th e c it i z en s h av e any
b u si n e s s w ith th e ci ty th ey kno w e xactly w h om to go to Th ey
al so kno w w h e re an d h o w eve ry do lla r o f th ei r t ax e s i s spent
an d w h a t th e resu l t s a r e Un de r th e ol d sy stem i f a c it i z en h ad
any bu si n e s s w i th th e c i ty h e w a s sen t f r o m o n e pa rty t o a noth e r
unt i l h e f requ entl y b ec am e d i sgu sted t ry in g t o fi n d th e p rope r
p a rty t o a tten d to h i s c a se an d gav e u p a l l h ope o f eve r be in g
abl e to t ran s act h i s bu sin e s s To be ab l e at a l l t im es to kno w
exactl y w h er e an d h o w y ou r mon ey i s b ei ng spent th e c o st o f
e ac h p a rt ic ul a r pi ece o f wo rk an d th e ma i nten anc e o f eac h d e
p a r tm en t o f t h e c ity gov e rnm en t i s c e rta i nl y w o rt h a great de a l
T hi s f eatu re o f th e n e w system i s s u flfic ien t t o j u st i fy th e m a i n
t en anc e o f th e offi c e
I bel iev e th at i t i s t h e gen e ra l opin i on t hat
un de r th e ol d sy stem w e n eve r d i d o n e-h al f o f th e i m p rovement s
t ha t w e h av e been abl e t o do u n d e r t h e n e w sy stem pa rt ic u la rl y
i n th e matte r o f st reet s s i d e wa l k s sew e r s an d ext en si on o f
wate r m a in s
Un d e r th e ol d system ou r b ond ed d ebt w a s la rgely d u e t o
bad bu si n e s s m ethod s
It w a s t h e c u s tom t o a l l o w f re e rein
t o th e counc i l com mi ttee s an d u s ual ly w i n d u p at t h e end o f
.
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
.
,
.
,
,
,
‘
.
,
,
'
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
,
.
.
,
.
,
'
,
.
,
,
.
,
.
,
,
,
.
.
,
,
1
36
S H O R T B AL L O T
A s th e accoun t s u n d e r th e o l d sy stem w e re k ept i n a gen e r al
w ay w ith o ut r egar d to any d et ai l i t i s al m o st i mp o ss ib l e w i th ou t
con su m i ng a great d ea l o f t i m e an d l ab o r t o m ake a compa ri son
o f th e am o unt o f mon ey exp ende d i n th e v a r i ou s d epa rtm ent s
a n d th e re sul t s obtai n ed w i th t h at o f th e n e w sy st em I w i l l
i l l u st rat e t h i s by o nly o n e i tem that o f granol i th ic pav ing Und e r
th e o ld system we w e re p ay ing fro m
to
p e r sq ua re
y a rd fo r a v e ry i n f e ri o r g rad e o f gran ol i th ic w o rk w h ic h w a s
d on e by c ont rac t ; u n d e r th e n e w system w e a re do i ng a m uc h
b ette r c l a s s o f w o rk w i th h i re d labo r u n d e r th e s upe rv i sion o f
o u r gen era l m anag e r
( wh o i s a p ractic al engin ee r ) fo r n i n ety
an d a h al f ce nt s p e r squ a re y a rd Un d e r th e o l d sy st em i t w a s
f requ ently foun d th at th e s am e a rti cl e wa s pu rcha sed at d iff e ren t
p ric e s f or d iff eren t d epartm en ts Un d e r ou r n e w sy st em a l l
s upp l i e s a re p u rcha se d by th e gen e ra l mana ge r i n b u l k l a rg e
qu ant it i e s o f supp l i e s a re a d ve rt i sed f o r an d cont rac t s a re
aw a rd ed t o th e l o w e st r espon s i bl e bi dd e r
Un de r th e ol d sy st em th e respon s ibi l i ty w a s d i st ri bute d
among th e h ead s o f th e v a r i ou s d epa rtm ent s an d th ere was
real ly n o re spo n si bl e h ea d Un d e r t h e n e w sy stem th e res p o n
s ib il ity i s
c ent e red i n th e g en e ra l m an age r A l l d epa rtment s
repo r t to h i m a n d wo rk i n h a rmony a s a un i t W h e r e th e re i s
u n ity th ere i s st rength ; wh ere t h e re i s d i v i sion th e re i s frict ion
A c i ty s force s m u s t b e u n it ed and wo rk i n h a rmony t o m ak e
i t s Op e rati on s s ucc e s s fu l an d obt ai n th e be st r es u lt s
I n o rd e r to a dopt th i s sy stem p rop e rl y th e c o u nci l sho u l d b e
abo l i sh ed an d in l i eu th e reo f a boa r d o f d i recto rs el ected con
s i st ing o f fi v e m emb ers i n c it i e s o f fi fty th o u sa n d a nd u nd e r
I n l a rge r c iti e s i t w o u l d p robab ly b e w el l to i nc rea s e th e n inn b e r
O ne o f t h e se sh ou l d
o f d i recto r s acc o rd i ng to th e pop u l at ion
be th e m ayo r E ach d i rect o r sh o u l d b e p a i d a sal a ry c o m
m en su rate w i th h i s d ut ie s T h e boa rd o f d i rect o r s sho ul d en i
pl oy th e g ene ral manage r an d gi v e h i m s uffi c i ent aut ho rity t o
p roperl y manage an d c on d uct th e bu s in e s s o f th e c ity T h e
g en e ral m anage r sh o u l d h i re an d d i sch a rge a l l h ead s o f d epa rt
m ent s a n d emp loyee s sho u l d be p l ac ed u nd e r c i v i l se rv ic e t o
p re ven t t h e gen e ra l manage r from ab u si ng h i s au tho rity o r
i mpa i ri n g the s e rv ic e an d a t th e s ame t i me to al l o w h i m t o
sec u re th e mo st c ompet ent empl oy ee s T hat i s th e c ity shou l d
be manage d an d ope rated i n th e s am e bu s in e s s man ne r a s th e
p ri vate co rpo rat i on
,
,
,
,
‘
.
,
'
.
,
.
,
.
'
.
,
.
.
.
.
.
’
.
,
,
,
.
.
.
.
.
,
,
.
.
,
S H O RT B A LL O T
A n n al s
th e A m e r i c an
of
A c a d em y
1
C o m m i s s io n G o ver nm en t
.
in A m eric a n C i t i es , 2 d E d
1
.,
91 4 : 8 7 2 -6
City -Man age r P la n a n d E xp e rt C ity M anagem ent
H S G i lb e rt son
.
37
.
.
Fro m th e stan dpo i nt o f gen e ral m u n icip a l p rog re s s pe rh ap s
th e g reate st c ont ri b ut i on o f t h e c ity -m an age r p l an i s th e env i ron
men t i t fu rn i she s fo r exp e rt c i ty manag em ent
D ayto n O h io t o tak e th e m o s t con sp i c uo u s e xa m p l e i s a
typ ic a l A m e ri ca n c ity i n a st at e w h e r e p ol i tic s i s rat ed a s a
ba s ic i n du st ry an d wh e re p o l i ti c i an s p res u m ab ly ha v e a l w ay s
rega rde d loca l o ffi c e s a s s t ri ct ly l oca l p roperty
B u t D ayton
f o rc i bly to re i t sel f a w ay f ro m th e gra sp o f th i s t ra d it ion It s
n e w cha rt e r exp res s ly stat e s th at th e ch i e f e xecu t iv e n ee d not
b e a res id ent o f th e c ity ; a n d t h e fi r st comm i s s i on e l ect e d u n d e r
th e n ew sy st em t ru e to th e sp i r i t o f th e cha rte r c ho se th e fi rst
c ity m a n ag er by a m et ho d wh ic h i s a ltogeth e r n e w to th e p rae
t i c e o f A m e ri can c it i e s W e ek a fte r w eek t h ey met i n e arn est
c on s u l tat ion ,goi ng o v er t h e qua l i fi cati on s o f som e f o rty o r fi fty
e x cel l en t c an d i d at es u nti l fi n a l ly th ey d ete rm i n ed up on a man
i n anoth er c ity w ho s e reco r d o f p u b l ic s erv ic e w a s o f th e v e ry
h igh est b ut w ho s e p ol it i cal cl ai m up on t h e c om m i ssion e rs wa s
ab sol ut ely m l H e s ec u re d th e p o s it io n app a rently o n p u re me ri t
B ut D ayton i s n ot un iqu e i n th i s p r acti c e : S umt e r S outh
Carol in a g o t i t s fi rst c i ty m anage r f rom anoth e r state Th e
s econ d l a r g e s t c i ty u n de r th e n e w p l an Sp ri ng fi eld O hi o h a s
c ho sen M r C E A sh b u r n er wh o was fo rm e rly th e c ity m anage r
o f St aun ton Vi rgi n i a— a s ugge st i on o f th e G er man sy st em u n de r
wh ic h m en go from -c i ty to c ity a s p ro fe s s i on a l m u n ic ip a l ex ec u
,
.
,
,
,
,
,
‘
.
.
,
,
'
.
,
-
,
,
,
,
'
.
.
,
.
,
,
.
.
.
,
,
,
,
tiv es
.
mu ch empha s i s cann ot b e l a i d o n th i s rem ov a l o f th e
r e si d enc e qu a l i fi cat i on a s app l i e d t o th e mo st re sp on s i bl e an d
mo s t rem un e rat i v e p o s it io n i n th e c ity I t i s q u esti on abl e i f
t h e l i m i tat ion s w h ich th e fo rme r re st r ict i on s h a v e p l ace d up on
m u n i c ip al dev elop m en t h av e b een mo re th an h a l f real i ze d fo r
”
“
th e ve ry l i fe o f w h at w e a re w ont i n v id i o u s l y tO c a ll pol it ic s
dep en d s o n a n atmo sp h e re o f p rov inc i al i sm To h av e i m p o se d
h i gh qu al i fi cat ion s fo r p ubl i c s e rv ic e o r -t o h av e th ro w n t h e
“
offi ce s o p en to o ut s i d e r s wo u l d h av e sh u t ou t too m any o f th e
”
An d so c i ty aff a i r s h a v e revol ved i n l i tt l e c i rcl e s o f l oca l
b Oy s
To o
.
.
,
'
,
,
.
'
.
,
'
1
S H O R T B A LL O T
38
e xp e ri ence boun ded by th e n a r ro w o utl ook o f m en w h o w e re i n
th e g am e fo r today an d ou t tomo r ro w a n d wh o fo r th e l a rge
part i f h on e st w e re p ri m a ri ly int e re sted in th e p etty an d tem
A utomati cal ly
po ra ry em ol u ment s wh i ch w en t w i th th ei r j ob s
t h ere h a s bee n e xcl u d ed f ro m th e p ubl i c se rv ic e a g reat cl a s s
o f p ub l ic -sp i ri te d m en w ho h av e h a d a l l t h e poten ti al i t i e s fo r
s e rv i ng th e p ub l ic i n ane ffect i v e way T h e e xp e ri ence o f d i st ant
c it i e s h a s b een n egl ect ed w ith th e resu l t th at m an y co st l y a dm in i
s t rativ e b l u n d e rs h av e b een p e rp et rate d w h i ch a n ex ecu t i v e f rom
th e o ut s i d e w ith a b roa d kno w l edge o f c ity n eed s cou ld h av e
fo re stal l e d
I n cont ra st to th i s stat e o f aff a i rs th e city -manage r p l an m ake s
mu n ic ip al managemen t a fi el d o f u nl i m ited oppo rtu n i ty t o cap abl e
men a nd enco u rage s a f ri endly attit u d e to wa rd sc i en t i fi c i d ea s o f
gov ern ment W h erev er t h e t r u e sp i rit o f th e p lan i s ob s erv ed
th e broad exp e ri en ce o f d i st ant c i ti e s w i l l be b rough t to b ear o n
l oca l p robl em s o f fi n anc e engi n ee ri ng p u bl i c h ea lth rec reat ion
W h at t h e spon so r s f o r th e m un ic ipa l r e fe renc e l ib rari e s a re n ow
t ry i ng t o d o u n d er a s eri ou s h an d ic ap an d w ith n on e to o m uch
en co u r a gem ent fro m o ffi ci a l sou rc e s w i l l hav e a comp at i bl e o f
fi c i al en vi ron m ent
B ut th e e l i m i n at i on o f th e re s i d enc e requ i rem en t i s n ot mor e
s ign i fi can t fo r th e g rowth o f exp ert ad m in i st rat i on th an t h e v e ry
st ruct u re o f th e c i ty -man age r p l an Th e n ew sy stem w h i l e
lk eEp i ng t ru e t o th e d oct ri n e o f th e u n i fi cat i on o f po we rs p ro
v i d es fo r a comp l et e d ivo rc e o f th e p e r sonn el o f po lit ic s from th e
p e rsonn e l of a d mi n i st rat ion I t recogn i z e s th at t h e s e t w o fu nc
t ion s o f gov e r n m en t d eman d th e s ervic es o f t w o d i st i n ct typ e s o f
m en I t con se rve s th e p ri nc i pl e o f dem o c ra cy by k eep i ng open
to th e rep re senta ti v e c iti z en t h e el ecti v e offi ce o f com m i ssi on er
o r co u nci l man b ut th e p o l i t ical el ement c ea s es at th e v e ry poi nt
wh e re th e o rgan i z ati on fo r th e actu a l op e rat ion o f t h e gove rn
m ent begin s
T h i s i s a ra d i ca l d ep a rt u re H e reto fo re o u r concept ion o f
democ racy h a s i mp el l e d u s to ca rry pol i t ic s m uc h fu rth e r dow n
i nt o th e a dm in i st rat i on W e h ave fea red bu rea uc racy and t o
l ay th at p a rt ic u la r gh o st h ave i n stal l ed at t h e h ead o f d epart
m ent s m en wh o se ch i e f qu al i fi cat ion i n m an y c a se s seem s to
hav e been th ei r obv i ou s un fi tn e s s fo r ad m i n i st rat ive wo rk T h e
t ra in ed m a n h a s been t o o o ft en r a t ed th e enemy o f free gove rn
m en t
,
,
,
.
,
.
.
,
,
,
,
.
,
-
,
.
,
.
,
,
,
,
.
.
,
,
-
.
.
,
,
.
i
.
.
,
,
.
,
,
.
'
.
1
S H O RT B ALLO T
40
xp eri enc e ent e r i n a h igh e r d egree th an i n th e ca s e o f such
p o st s a s th e li b ra ri an sh ip i n Ch ic ago o r the ch i e ftai n sh ip o f t h e
N ew Yo rk fi r e dep a rtmen t Th e c ity man age r w i l l come squ a rel y
and con t i n u ou sl y i nto con tact w i th th e p ubl ic an d sh ou l d b e a
po l it ic ian i n th e sen s e o f bei n g a n acc u rate j u dge o f th e p u bl ic
m in d ; th e k i n d o f a ma n w ho cou l d get el ected t o p ubl i c offi ce
u n d er a f avo rab l e el ecto ra l sy ste m H e m u st b e p rep a red t o
c re ate p ubl i c opi n ion an d to fo restall c ri tic i sm Mo reove r th e
c ity manager m u st b e a p e r son o f v i s io n an d i n i tiat i ve w it h a
con st r uc ti ve g ra sp o f th e d est iny o f A me r ican c i ti e s fo r w h i l e
h e i s i n th eo ry th e s e rv ant o f th e co u nc i l h e w i l l b e n o e rran d
boy
H e w i l l i n actu a l f act be th e c h i e f pol i cy -m ak e r o f th e c ity
w h i l e th e co unc i l s e rve s a s a ch ecking c ont rol l i ng agency Th e re
i s n o b igger j o b i n Am e ric a
T h e d e sc ript ion o f co u r se appl i es to th e ra re l oo -p er -c ent
e ffi c i en t m an B u t th e re a re an d h ave b een m en o f th i s typ e
G eo rge M c A n eny Cy ru s C M i l l e r J oh n P u rroy M itch el al l o f
th e l a st adm i n i st rat io n i n N e w Yo rk C ity app roac h t h i s
stand a rd C ol on el W a ring wa s a man o f su ch q u a li ficat ion s I t
i s doubtl e ss o w ing t o th e fo rm e r l ac k o f oppo rt un i ty t hat mo re
o f th em have n ot com e to th e s u rfac e
W itho u t doubt th e engi
n ee ri ng p ro fe s s i o n a l on e cou l d be m a d e to yi el d up m any
B ut th e g ro wth o f th i s n e w m u n icip a l sy stem c reat e s a fa r
w i de r p robl em th an th at o f th e m e re se l ect io n o f e xecut i ve s from
th e v i s ibl e s upp l y o f m ate ri al I f th e c ity -man a ge r p l an d eve lop s
a s rap id ly a s th e commi s si on fo rm ( an d t h e p re sent i nd ic at i on s
a re that i t w i l l ) w h enc e com e t he c ity ma nagers ? Th e u n i
v er s itie s an d the sch ool s o f engi n e e ri ng an d t ech nol ogy fu rn i s h
b u t a v e ry i mpe r fect p rep a rat io n fo r th i s fi e ld
W e h av e n o
sch oo l s o f m un ic i pa l ad m i n i st rat ion an d e ven o u r g rad u at e
sch ool s o f pol it ica l sci enc e cont en t th em sel v es w it h a st u dy o f
th e m e re sk el eton feat u re s o f th e mu n ic i pa l p robl e m I n G e r
m any at l ea st t wo c iti e s ( D iis se l do r f a n d COl n ) ha ve e stabl i sh ed
suc h s c hool s a s a p a rt o f th e i r m u n ic ipa l c iv i l s e rvi ce sy stem
T h ei r g rad u ate s go o ut fro m t he se i nto i mpo rt ant e x ecu t i ve
po s i tion s i n sma l l e r c it i e s an d i f succ e s s f u l th e i r s e rv ic e s a re
i n g ro w ing d ema n d i n sco re s o r h u n d red s o f c it i e s M un ic i pa l
m an agem en t th e re i s act ual ly a rec ogn i z ed p ro fe ss ion
l lié fut u re o f th e c ity -ma nage r p l a n a s o f al l e xpe ri ment s
at th e p re sen t m omen t, i s o f c ou r se p roble mat ica l B u t th e
p ri nc ipl e o f exp ert non -pol it ic a l managemen t i s fo rt i fi ed by a t
e
,
.
,
.
.
,
,
,
,
,
.
.
,
.
,
,
.
,
.
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
.
.
.
'
.
,
-
.
,
.
,
.
,
,
,
.
.
'
'
‘
,
,
,
,
,
.
S H O R T B A LL O T
1
41
l ea st o n e st riki ng b i t o f m un i ci p a l e xp e r i enc e T h e sch oo l sy s
t em s i n o u r l a r g e st c i t i e s h av e p a s s ed th rough th e pol i t ic al
p eri od ; s ub sequ entl y th ro ugh a p e rio d o f d i sgu st fo r th e p ol it ic al
m anagemen t B u t fo r a l ong t i m e i n m any c i ti e s th e i r m an
ag em ent h a s re sted u p on s o m eth i ng app rox i ma t in g a p ro f es s i o na l
m e ri t ba s i s
B ack o f th i s d evel opm ent w a s a gro wth o f ci v i c
c on sc i ou snes s I t b egan w i th th e sc hoo l s ; i t i s rap i d ly co lo ri ng
o u r v i ew s o f p ubl i c h eal t h adm i n i st rat i o n P o l it ic s i s grad u al ly
be ing w eed e d ou t o f th e po l ic e sy st em s W h er e w i l l t h i s ten
d eney stop ? I s th e re any l ik el ih oo d t hat i t w i l l c eas e to com
m en d it s e l f u nt i l w e h av e fi n al ly d i scov e re d t h at a ft e r al l
“
”
po l it i c s h a s n o p rop e r p l ac e i n any d ep a rtmen t o f city a dm in i
s t ratio n—that i t s p re senc e anywh e re i n t h e sy stem is con d uct i v e
to exp en si ve p r o v i nc i al i s m an d that it s v ery ex is tenc e b ree d s
i n e ffi c i ency an d e xt rav aganc e
.
.
,
,
.
.
.
.
.
,
,
'
.
R ev iew
of
R ev i ew s
-
5
.
S h o rt B al l o t i n A m e ri can C it i e s
Ja n ua ry
.
.
H
.
1
,
91
2
S G i lbe rt son
.
I t i s el ev en yea r s s i nc e th e G al ve sto n d i sa ste r B u t o ut o f
th at ex i gency w i th begi n n i ng s i n th e m e re st o f acc i den t s h a s
gro w n a mov em ent w h i ch h as r e-c re ate d th e st ruct u re o f on e
h un d r ed an d s i xty A m eri c an c i t i e s shak en som e o f th e m os t
ch e ri shed t ra di t ion s o f o ur po l i t ic s an d p u t a n ew not e o f o ptim
i sm in ou r po l iti c al th i nki n g
G a l ve sto n s reh abi l i tat io n n ee d e d a st ron g efli c ien t d i rect ion
from it s govern i n g bo dy ; it s comp l e x u n w o rkab l e gov e rn m en t
cou l d not gi ve i t S t rai gh t way w ithou t re so rt to th eo ry som e
o f th e l ead i ng c i ti z en s p roceed ed to m ap o ut a v e ry s im pl e p l a n
o f cont rol at th e h an ds o f fi v e m en wh o w e r e to h av e amp l e
p ow e r s an d b e un h amp ere d i n th e i r cho ic e o f me an s T h e p lan
wa s ad opt ed an d wo rke d exc eed i ngly w el l bu t it w a s n o t dem o c
racy
fo r th e c om mi s s i on w a s cho s en by th e gove rn o r T h e
l egi sl at i v e act c reat in g i t w a s dec l a red u ncon st i tut ion al on th e s e
g rou n d s B u t i t w a s re v i v e d i n s ub stan t ial l y i ts ori gi nal fo rm
”
“
w it h th i s vi t al d i ffe rence : th at t h e co mm i s si on e rs w er e to b e
c ho s en by pop u l a r vote
T h e sh i fti n g o f cont ro l f rom gove rno r to p eop l e c au se d
un ea s in e s s to th e loca l l ea de rs w ho We re on ly to o f am i l ia r w i t h
th e re su l t s o f th e p o pu l ar ru l e u nd e r th e o l d gov e rnm ent B u t
.
,
,
,
,
.
'
’
,
.
,
,
_
'
-
,
,
.
,
'
.
,
.
.
,
.
1
S H O RT B ALLO T
42
th e el ecto r s m a d e good th i s t i me by el ecti ng t o offi c e th e v e ry
m en w h o m th e gove rn o r h ad app oi nted A n d fo r t en y ea r s th ey
h av e be en r e el ec t in g t h em aga i n an d agai n s o th at w ith o n e
e xc ept ion th e origin a l co m m i s si on ha s b ee n at th e hel m i n G a l
v e sto n t i l l th i s y ea r
I t w a s a n ew p h enomenon ; th e p eopl e act u al ly s el ecti ng f o r
o fli c e n ot m en wh o h a d b een i den t i fi ed w i th o ffi c e-gett ing o rgan i
z at io n s b u t b anke r s an d bu si n es s m en o f ab i l ity w i th rep u tat ion s
to su sta i n an d i nt e re st s o f th ei r o wn t o p rot ect S o t h at th e
G al ve ston exp e rim ent n ot on ly so l ved th e l oca l p rob l em o f
efli c ien t gov e rn ment
b u t i t d i d so w i th ou t a sac ri fic e o f d emo
c rati c p r i nc ip l es I n fact th e th eo ry wh ich h a s g ro w
n up ou t
o f G al v e ston s succe s s i s th at th e s i mp l i fi ed con d it i on s o f c i t i zen
sh ip h av e b een al l th at i s r eal ly n e ede d t o pu t th e p eopl e o f a
commu n ity i n e ff ecti ve cont rol
.
,
.
,
.
,
.
,
’
.
F r o m Tex as
to Io wa
’
T h e i d e a sp rea d t o H o us to n whic h a d opted i n 1 905 n o t th e
e xac t p l a n o f o rgan i z ation b ut i t s e s s ent ia l s i mpl ic i ty—fi v e m en
th e onl y el ec t i v e o fli c er s cop i o u s i n po w e r c on sp i cuou s T w o
yea r s l at e r D a l l a s f e l l i n l i n e a n d i n th e sam e y ea r th e i d e at ook
“
root i n D es M o i ne s From th en on th e comm i s si on gov e rn
”
m en t i d ea h as b een a n at i on al p os se s s ion fo r th e c it i zen s o f
D es M o i n e s d i d n o t c ont ent th em se l ve s w i th h av i ng a pop u l a r
an d wo rkab l e gov e rn men t f o r i t s o wn sak e b u t ad vert i sed it fa r
and w i d e a s th e c ity s ch i e f c i v i c a ss et
I n obta in i ng p e rm i s sion f rom th e s tat e o f I o w a t o adopt th e
c omm i s sio n fo rm o f o rgan i z ati on D e s M oi n es h it upon a d ev ic e
w h i ch h a s accel e rat ed th e m ovem ent i n th e c oun t ry by seve ra l
d e g re es T h i s wa s th e a dop tio n o f a st ate -w i d e p e rm i s si ve la w
wh ic h mad e i t p os s i bl e fo r an y c ity ( w i th i n ce rta i n l i m it s o f
c l as si fi cati on ) t o pu t th e pl a n i nto op e rat io n by a popu la r el ec
t ion cal l e d u pon pet it ion o f 2 5 pe r c ent o f th e qu a l i fi ed el ecto rs
S e ven I o w a c it i es reo rgan i z ed u n d e r th i s a rrangemen t S ou th
D akota ad opted a si m i l a r l a w i n the sam e y ea r
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
,
,
’
.
,
,
.
.
,
.
.
C o m m is s io n La ws in Twen ty S ta tes
an d 1 909 Kan sa s a dopted t wo s uc h l a w s fo r h e r
fi r s t an d secon d -c l a s s c it i e s resp ect iv ely an d n o w e ve ry i mp o r
t ant c ity i n Ka n sa s i s u nd e r t h e comm i ss i on fo rm T h e ot he r
state s wh i c h hav e adopted su ch blank et l aw s a re I l l ino i s K en
In
1
90 7
,
,
,
.
,
1
S H O R T B A LLO T
44
sma l l e r c i ti e s seven i n Om ah a ) on eac h o f w hom i s d evo l v ed
th e s up e rvi s ion ov e r a d ep a rt ment o f th e c i ty s act i v i ti e s T h u s
i n G al ve ston th e re a re fou r d epa rtm ent s ( th e m ayo r in C a l
v e sto n i s n ot sp ec i fi cal l y a s si gn ed to o n e ) d e sign ated ( 1 )
Fi n anc e an d rev en u e ( 2 ) S t reet s an d p ubl i c p rop e rty ( 3 ) W ate r
an d s ew e rage ( 4 ) P ol ic e an d fi re T h e fi ve m en si t a s a body
i n a del ibe rat i v e cap ac i ty A ll o f th e com m i s s i on ers a re el ected
by a vote o f th e wh ol e c i ty N orm a l ly an d l ogical ly th ey a re
th e on ly el ect i v e o ffi c e rs b u t a fe w cha rt e r s p rov i d e fo r a
s ep a rat ely e l ected fi sca l o ffi ce r on th e t h eory th at th e a u d it o f
th e comm issi o n s accou nt s s hou l d b e con d ucte d by a n o fli c er wh o
i s n ot on e o f th ei r se rv ant s Un de r th e A l abama l a w th i s sepa
rat e au d i t i s c on d ucte d by a stat e ex am i ne r
T h e D es Moi ne s ch a rt er ad ded to th e st ructu re w hat were
”
“
at th e t i me unkno w n a n d u nt ri ed dev ice s o f th e i n i ti at i v e
re feren du m an d reca l l mea su re s d esi gn e d to m ak e doub ly su re
th at th e p e op l e w o u l d cont ro l T h i s i n st rum ent al so i ncl uded
c i vi l s e rvi c e an d co rrupt p ract ic e s p ro v i s ion s an d a sch eme ot
n o n -p a rt i san el ecti on s
T h es e f eat u re s ho wev e r w e r e a l l taken
fro m ol d e r fo rm s ; a n d th ey con sti tute n o e s sen ti al pa rt o f th e
c o mm i ss i on m ov em en t i n a s m uc h a s o n e o r al l o f them a re
absent f rom n ea rly eve ry l a w e xc ep t th e Io wa st atu te Th e
i n it i ati ve an d re fe ren d u m h av e ra rely been u sed an d o f th e recal l
th e m o st st rik i ng i n stanc e s o f its u s e l i e o ut si d e th e com mi s
Th e on ly comm i ss i one rs ev e r remo ved
s io n ed-gove rn ed c it i e s
w e re tho se o f T acom a W a sh an d d u ri n g S ept ember 1 91 1 th e
m ayo r and on e oth e r commi s si on e r i n W i ch ita Kan
Th e G a l v esto n p la n w a s h e wn i n th e rough W i d e appl ic a
t ion h a s sh ow n th at ce rta in adj u stment s mu st b e m ad e i n l oc a l i
t i e s to mak e th e in st ru men t tho rough ly re spon si v e to th e w il l o f
t h e p eop l e H e re i s a rath e r fi ne q u e st i on i n soc i a l p syc h ology :
H ow t o a r range th e pop ula r sel ec t i on o f th e el ect i ve body i n
s uc h a w ay that ev e ry membe r o f i t s h a l l rece i ve s u ch ad equ at e
sc rut i ny a s to s ecu r e h i s f u l l respon si bi l ity to t h e vote r s o f t h e
c ity I n W ich it a t h e m ayo r w a s s epa rate ly d e si gnated on th e
bal lot i e v ot ed fo r a s m ayo r a l tho ugh u nde r th e Kan sa s l a w
h e i s n o mo re i mp o rtant t ha n any o f h i s con f r ere s B u t t he
p eopl e th ough t h e w a s m o re i mpo rtan t w ith th e res u l t that the
i n te rest i n th e W ich it a el ect ion s h a s been cente re d o n th e mayo r
at th e e xpen se o f th e oth e r com m i ss io ne r s To remedy t h i s
d e fect a rad ica l st ep h a s been tak en i n N e w J er sey and N eb ra ska :
,
’
.
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
.
.
'
,
’
.
.
-
,
,
,
.
.
,
,
,
.
,
.
,
.
,
,
,
.
,
.
‘
.
.
,
.
.
,
,
.
,
,
.
,
S H O R T B A LL O T
1
45
a c om mi s sion o f fi ve i s el ected by th e p eop l e a nd f rom th ei r o wn
n um be r t h e commi s s i on e r s s el ec t a m ayo r T hu s ev e ry can d i
d ate fo r com m i s si one r e lected i s p otent i al l y th e h ea d o f th e c ity
gove rn ment and p re sum ably r ece i ve s a c or respon d i ng sh a r e o f
attenti o n at t h e han d s o f th e e l ecto r s
T h e S ac ram ento Cal cha rt e r wh i ch w a s vot e d o n N ov embe r
7 i s a rema rk abl e o n e i n s eve ra l re sp ect s : t h e bo a rd o f e duc atio n
i s w ip e d ou t an d it s f un ct ion s v este d i n th e c ity coun ci l on e o f
w ho m w i l l be c o m mi s s i on e r o f e duc at i on ; th e comm i s s i on e r s
will b e el ect e d i n rot ati on o n e ev e ry yea r ( th e S h o rt B al lot i dea
r e d uc e d to it s l ow e st t erm s ) ; t h e sy st em o f rec al l i s u n u s u al
an d a lm o st u n iqu e
P e rh ap s th e mo st ra d i c a l p rop os al o f any i s t ha t wh i ch h a s
b ee n ma d e by th e B oa r d o f T ra d e o f Lo c kpo rt N e w Yo r k i n
it s b i l l w h ich i t i nt rodu c ed i n th e l a st s e s s i on o f th e l egi s lat u re
Un de r th i s p rop os al th e S ho rt B al lot feat u re i s r eta in e d ; i e
th e fi v e el ect i v e o ffi c i al s a r e re sp on s ib le fo r th e en ti re con d uct
o f th e ci ty s a ffa i r s B u t th e cou nci l ( com m i ss i o n ) i s a reg ulat i v e
body on ly l ik e a boa r d o f d i recto rs T h e i nd i v i du a l m embe r s
w ou l d h av e n o sp eci a l a d mi n i st rat iv e d u ti e s an d r esp on s ib i l it i e s
a s i n D es Mo i ne s T h e adm i n i st r ati ve w o rk w ou l d b e c on
duct e d u n de r t h e di recti o n o f a n app oi nt i v e exp e rt t o b e k no w n
a s th e c ity m an age r w h o w o u l d hav e f u l l po w er s o f app oi nt
m en t an d r emov a l T h e a r ran gem ent w ou l d g i v e a typ e o f gov
e r n m en t exactly p a ral l e l to th at o f a p r i v at e bu s i n ess c o rp o rat ion
I t i s a l so a clo se app rox imat i on t o th e G erma n typ e o f c i ty
gov ern m en t i n wh ic h th e B ii rg erm ei ster p l ays th e p a rt o f man
T h e adv oc at e s o f th i s sch em e p o in t ou t t h e d i ffi cu l t i e s
a ge r
w h ic h h av e a r i sen u n de r th e D e s M oi n e s typ e o f s ec u ri n g th e
p rop e r ki n d o f m en t o p e r form a dm i n i st rat i v e wo r k by p op u l a r
el ect i on T hey al so c la im th at th i s p lan a ff o rd s a b ette r o ppo r
tun ity fo r rep re sent at ion fo r th e d i ff e rent i nt erest s i n th e p o pu
l at ion s i nc e n o m an w o u l d b e exc l u ded from p ub l ic o ffi c e fo r
l ac k o f e x ec ut i v e t rai n ing
.
,
,
,
,
,
.
.
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
'
.
,
.
,
’
.
.
,
.
.
.
,
.
.
,
'
.
,
‘
,
.
,
.
B us in ess E fifci en cy
A m os t st r i k in g f eat u re
th i s
of
m o vement i s th e v igo r w i th
w h i ch i t ha s sm itt en som e o f th e favori t e t rad it i on s o f Am e ric an
pol iti ca l th ou gh t T h eo r i st s h av e i n f act fu rn i s h e d l es s r es i st
anc e to the sp rea d o f th e p l an tha n any p a rty t o it s d i scu s si on ;
an d th e enemy h a s rest e d l es s upon theo reti c al obj ect ion s t h an
‘
.
,
,
‘
1
46
S H O R T B ALL O T
i n any p rom i n en t con st ru ct i ve pol iti ca l mo vem en t i n th e pa st
T hu s th e th eory o f s ep a rat i o n o f po wer s f ami l i a rly kno w n a s
“
”
c h eck s an d bal anc e s ha s come i n fo r so me h eavy h am me ri ng
T h e o l d styl e o f ci ty go v ern ment w a s dev is ed ly comp l ex st u di
”
“
ch ecked an d i ngen i ou sly bal an ced B u t th e c o mm i s s i on
o u s ly
p l an ru d el y b ru sh e s th e t heo ry o f s epa rat io n o f po wer s a si d e
Th e fru i t o f t h i s iconoc l asm i s r ea son ably i n f erabl e fro m th e
ma s s o f te st i mony t o th e bu s i n e s s effi c i en cy o f th e syst em T h e
”
“
wo r d m a s s i s u sed a dv i s ed ly fo r i n v i e w o f th e v a ri at i on s
o f th e i n d i v i du a l
ch art ers any d e d uct i on s i n s uppo rt o f th e
e s s en ti al co mmi s s ion typ e m u st b e comp reh en s i ve i n scop e
T h e s e a re so me o f th e r e su lt s rep o rted
.
,
,
.
,
.
,
.
.
,
,
,
.
D all as
e s ta bl is h ed
,
T ex
d e fi c ie n c y
A
.
w ip e d
of
o ut an d
a
c re
d i t b al anc e
i n two y ea r s
T o p e a , K an
M u n ic ip al b o n ds s o l d a t p r iv at e s a l e a t a h igh er r ate
th a n u n d er th e o l d a d m in i s t r a tio n
B u r l in g to n , I o w a Th e o l d c i t y d eb t r efun d e d in s er ia l b o n ds b earin g
4 % p er c en t i n ter es t i n s tea d o f 6 p er c en t as f o r m e r l y
E x ten s iv e r e d u c t io n i n b u dg e t f o r c o r r es p o n d i n g i t ems
o l u m b ia , S
.
k
.
.
.
.
C
un
d er
d
e
w al
.
th e o l d a m i n i s t r a t i o n
H utch in s o n
C h r r y v al e
t im e
C
.
,
K an
,
K an
.
B o n ds
.
Th e
.
ll in g a t a l o wer r ate th a n eve r b ef o r e
b o n d s o f th e c ity s ell in g a t p a r f o r th e fi r s t
se
.
.
Co
r p us
Ch
r is ti,
T ex
.
E x t e n s iv e
k s tc ; p r o p e r t y v a l u e s g e t l y
C h a t ta n o o g T e n n B o n d s o f
,
e
r
.
a,
th an
f o r m er l y
H
Ok l a . C it y
,
i n t er es t
o u s to n ,
.
i n c r ea s e d
th e
ty
ci
in
s
treet s
an d
si
de
.
se
l l in g
at
b ette r
a
p r em i u m
.
B art l es v ill e
b ear i n g
a
i m p r o v em e n t s
wa r r a n t s
wo rth
an d
p ar
y d ep o s i ts
now
c it
.
T ex
Th e
.
c re
d it
of
th e
ci
ty
r es to re
d
f ro m
ei
gh ty
t
c en s
on
d o ll a r t o p a r a n d t h e t ax r a te r ed uc e d f ro m
to
o n th e
s a m e v a l uat io n
L eav en wo r th K a n
B o n d e d in d eb te dn es s r ed uc ed b y
i n th r e e
y ears wh il e th e t ax r ate r em a in e d s tatio n ar y
H av erh ill M as s A s av i n g o f
e ff ec t e d b y th e firs t y ea r s a d m in
th e
,
.
.
,
.
'
.
,
is t r at io n
.
T h i s ev i denc e o f c ou r se i s ex par te No t eve ry comm i s s ion
h a s real i z ed th e h op e s o f th e d reame rs ; n ot a l l o f th e c i ti e s
hav e reduc e d th e t a x rat e —Oak lan d Ca l fo r examp l e ha s
mate ri al ly r ai s ed h e rs B u t th i s fac t i s u n i mpo rtant ; fo r c fii c i
ency h a s a w i de r m ean ing i n t ha t w h i l e s om e c i ti e s hav e a
con stit u ency d e man d in g ret rench ment m o re o ften th e deman d
i s fo r expan s ion T h e si gn i ficant th ing i s th i s : S upp o rti n g th e
acti v iti e s o f every c it v i s a n u n d e rc u r rent o f p op u l a r op ti m i sm
,
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
.
,
,
1
48
S H O RT B ALLO T
wel l for a n um b e r o f
c i ti e s W i l l th e m ovem ent stop h e re
I s n ot th e b road d oct rin e o f si mp l ic i ty g e rma n e al so t o th e p rob
l em s o f stat e s a n d counti e s ?
o ur
W id er
?
.
S h o r t B a l l o t P r o s pec ts
A t a sp ec i al el ecti on i n Cal i fo rn i a o n Octobe r IO th e stat e
ad opt ed th ree S h o rt B a l l ot am end ment s On e f rankl y such
t ook th e c l e rk o f th e s up rem e c o u rt o ff th e bal lo t an d v e st ed
h i s appo i ntmen t i n th e s up rem e c ou rt Anoth e r mad e th e m em
be r s o f th e stat e ra i l roa d com m i s si on appoi n ti v e by th e gov e rn o r
T h e th i rd p rov i d e d a pl an f o r c ou nty h ome -r u l e ch a rt e r s u nd e r
w h ic h i t w i l l be p o s si bl e fo r any c o unty to d ra ft a sch em e o f
o rgan i z at i on su i ted t o l ocal n eed s Th e amend m en t spec i fi e s
that a l l cou nty offi ce rs exc ept cou nty j u d ge s an d s u pe rv i so r s m ay
b e m ad e appo in tiv e i n stea d o f el ect i v e a s at p re sen t Th u s i t
w i l l b e po s sibl e fo r a bi g c oun ty l ike Lo s Angel e s t o sho rten i t s
b al l ot f rom f orty -fi v e t o about t wenty —
th ree offi c e rs by red uc ing
th e el ect i v e l i st
Th e C al i fo rn i a el ecti on by t h e w ay i s th e fi rst step o f th e
S hort B a l l ot mov em en t f rom th e c iti e s i nto t h e w i d e r fi el d s o f
stat e go vernme nt
,
.
,
,
.
.
.
.
,
.
,
,
th e A m e r i c a n
A c a d em y
,
.
A n nal s
of
N o v em b e r , 1 9 1
Loc k po rt P ropo sa l
.
F
.
.
-
7
.
1
D
.
S i l ve rna i l
M un ic ipa l cond i ti on s i n th e c ity o f Loc kpo rt a re m uc h th e
sam e a s i n many oth e r s w h ich h av e s u ff ered f rom th e typi ca l i l l s
o f A m e rica n d emoc racy Th e c i ty h a s a popu l atio n som ewh at
un d e r
an d h a s b een ru l ed fo r y ea r s by a t ri u m v i rat e o f
bo ss e s P op ul a r cont ro l h a s been a n egl igi bl e q uant ity and th e
ru l e o f th e sel f -appoi nt ed t ri o h a s b een anyth i ng but o n e res po n
s i ve to t h e w i l l o f th e peopl e o f t h e c ity A s a n atu ra l cou se
q u enc e o f th e a l oo fne s s o f th e gov e rnment n eed ed i mp rov ement s
h ave b een d el ayed for yea r s at a st retch an d wh en act u al ly
h av e b een e xec ut e d i n a mo st i n effi c ien t and e x pe n
u nd e rt a ken
s i ve m ann e r I t wa s th e s e con d it i on s wh i ch l ed th e Lockpo rt
B oa rd o f T rad e to becom e spon so r f o r th e pl a n o f m un ic i pa l
“
o rgan i z at ion w h ic h h a s come t o be kn o wn a s th e Lockpo rt
”
p ropo sal w h ich w a s embod i ed i n a hi l l i n tr o d uc ed into th e 1 91 1
.
,
.
.
,
,
,
.
,
S H O RT
B ALL O T
1
4g
s es si on o f th e New Yo rk l egi sl at u re an d supp o rt e d by th e Co m
m i s s i on G o ve rn m ent As s oc iat ion o f N ew Yo rk St at e
”
“
Th e Lockpo rt p lan i s bu i l t upo n th e s ame b a si c p ri nc ip l e a s
th e D es Mo i n e s com mi s si o n gove rn m en t l a w b u t i t a i m s t o
co rrect w hat see m to many to b e i l l ogic al f ea tu re s o f t hat p l a n
Th e comm i s s ion gove rn m ent m ov ement i s ba s e d p ri m ar i ly u pon
th e theo ry o f th e un io n o f l egi s l at i v e and a dm i n i st rat i v e p ow e rs
i n th e h and s o f a sma l l body o f men w h o a re th e sol e r e spon si bl e
agent s o f th e p eop l e I t i s a th eo ry bo rn e out i n p ract i ce tha t
th i s sm al l g ro up o f m en bec au s e o f t h e i r co n sp i cu ou s p o s i ti on
t end t o f eel a re spon s ib i l i ty to th e i r con sti t u en t s i n a d egre e
w h ich v i rtu al l y re sto re s gov e rnm ent t o th e p eop l e Th e D es
M o in e s p l an ho w eve r do e s n ot ca rry th i s th eo ry o f re spon s ibi l ity
to i t s l ogi ca l co ncl u s ion T h e c om mi s s i on o f fi v e m en ar e n ot
co ll ect i v el y r esp on s ib l e fo r t h e act s o f th e m un ic ipa l ity N eith e r
a r e th e i n d i v i du a l co mm i s si on e r s At fi rst bl u s h th e s e stat e
m ent s may sta rt l e some r eade rs bu t not e c a re fu l ly th e f o l l o w in g
hypoth et ic al s i tu at i on Let u s suppo s e that th e maj o ri ty o f t h e
comm i s si on ha v e p a s s e d an o rd in an ce p rov i din g fo r th e rep av e
m ent o f th e m a in th o rou gh fa re Let u s supp o s e th at th e com
m i ssi on e r o f st reet s an d p ub l i c p rop e rty wa s not a m emb e r o f
t h e ma j o rity w h ic h pa s se d th e reso l u t ion an d happ en s al so t o
W h at action can th e respon s ib l e
b e a man o f i nd epen d ent i dea s
com m i s sion tak e to fo rce on e o f i t s o wn n u mb e r to ex ec ut e it s
o rd e r s ? No w s upp o s e a noth e r situ at ion : T h e com m i s s i o ne r o f
st reet s i s de s i ro u s o f p laci n g el ectrol i ers i n th e p ubl ic squ are s
P u bl i c sent i ment i s c l amo ri ng f o r s uch acti on b ut o n l ook i n g
ov e r h i s an nu a l bu dget th e comm i s s ion e r fi n d s that i t i s in su ffi
c i ent to c ov e r th i s a d d ed e xp en s e H e app l i e s to t h e c om m i s s i o n
fo r a l a rg er ap p rop r i at ion an d th ey re f u s e I n th at ca s e w ho i s
re spon sib l e fo r th e i nact ion o f th e ci ty gov e rn ment ? Ca se s o f
s uch confl i ct h av e act u al ly be en b rou ght forwar d i n som e o f t h e
co m m i s s ion gove rn e d c it i e s
Unde r th e Lockpo rt p l a n re sp on s ib i l i ty wou l d be v e sted i n
fi v e m en acti n g a l w ays col l ect i v el y
T h ey w ou l d m eet w i th n o
s uc h d i ffi cu lty i n en f o rci n g th e i r o rde rs a s i n th e c a se c i te d
fo r th e p a rty r e spon sibl e fo r th e actu a l exec ut i on o f Orde r s
w ou l d not be on e o f t h e i r o wn n umbe r b u t an app oi nt iv e c rea
t u re o f th ei r s— th e c i ty m an age r In sho rt th e Lo ckp o rt p l a n
co rp o rat ion w it h th e c ity c ou nci l co rre sp on d i ng to t h e boa rd
Th is
o f d i rec to r s an d th e c it y m an a ge r t o t h e gen e ra l m an age r
.
,
.
.
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
.
.
,
.
.
,
.
.
,
,
.
.
,
'
.
.
,
,
~
.
,
,
'
.
1
S H O R T B ALL O T
50
”
“
c ity man a ge r i s th e un i qu e f eatu re o f th e Lockpo rt p l an
B ut
wh i l e i t i s a u n i qu e p ropo sal i n th e o rgan i zat io n o f c i ty gove rn
m ent s i t i s by n o m ean s n ov e l i n oth e r f o rm s o f o rgan i zat ion
N ot on l y h ave p ri v at e co rpo rat ion s re ache d what appea r s t o b e
th ei r u l ti mat e f o rm i n th i s p a rt ic u l a r typ e o f o rgan i z at ion b ut
i t i s th e p lan w h ich op e rate s i n l a rge sc hoo l sy st em s th rough ou t
th e U n i ted S tate s i n w h i ch th e s up e rint en den t o f s chool s co rre
s po n d s t o th e c i ty manage r
I t i s a l so a v e ry c l o se app r o x im a
t i on to th e G e rman typ e o f c ity gov e rn men t i n wh ich th e B ii r
g e rm eis ter i s th e c ent ra l ad min i st rat i ve agen t an d t h e co u nc i l i s
t h e u lt i mate re spon s ibl e body wh ich lay s d o wn th e po l icy o f th e
m u n ici p al ity O f c ou rse th e G e rm an c it i e s l ook back upon a
tota lly di ff e ren t set o f t rad it i on s f rom th e A m e rican S ti l l t h e
n ake d qu est ion o f m un i cip al ad mi n i st rat ion i s n ot o ne w h ich i s
c once rn ed w it h th e p ol i t ic al gen i u s o f a p eop l e
Ce rt ai n l y u n de r
“
”
t h e Lockpo r t p ropo sa l
th e v o ic e o f th e p eopl e ha s j u st a s
e ff ect i v e a m ed i u m a s un de r th e D es M oi n e s p l an A n d onc e
w e conc ed e th i s fact th e r e rem ai n s th e si mp l e qu e st i on o f be st
o rgan i z at i on
“
”
T h e Lockpo rt p rop osa l l ook s fo r wa rd t o a t i m e w hen
m u n ic i pa l gov e rn ment w i l l b e con d ucte d by real exp e rt s T o
s uppo se th at popu l a r el ect ion i n th e great maj o rity o f c a se s w i l l
s ec u r e exp e rt se rvi c e s eem s al mo st fatuo u s E ven th e mo s t
ed ucate d o f ou r c it i z en s m u st fa i l i f c al l ed u po n t o ch oo se l et
u s s ay b et ween th e t ech n ica l qu al i fi c at io n s o f t wo c a nd i d at e s fo r
a p os it i on wh ic h requ i re s a n engi nee r s t ra in ing O n th e oth e r
hand an appo int i v e expe rt cou l d b e fo un d to tak e gen e ra l c h a rge
o f th e c i ty ad mi ni st rat ion w ho co u l d se l ect t rai ne d a s s i st ant s
un der th e m o st favo rab l e c on d it ion s T h e ci ty manage r h i m sel f
w ou l d su ppo se dly be a rathe r h igh sal a ri ed offi c e r an d m igh t
b e tak en f rom any pa rt o f th e co u nt ry Th e re w o u l d s eem t o
be i n th i s count ry ampl e mat eri a l f ro m wh ich t o ch oo se such a n
offi c e r I n th e e ven t t h at su ch a p rop osal sho u l d rec e i ve w i d e
adopt ion i t i s e a sil y con ce i vabl e t h at th e re w ou l d a ri se i n th e
Un i ted S tate s a cl a s s o f m un ici pa l expert s Th e p ro fe ss ion wou l d
b e a most a l l u rin g on e t o m en o f t al ent a nd v i s i on an d i t seem s
h a rdl y to o m u ch t o s uppo se t ha t w e w ou l d c om e to h ave a
comb i nat ion o f d emoc racy an d m u n i c i pal effi c i ency w h ic h h a s
n e ve r be fo re b een eff ected
Th e Lockpo rt p l an aga in h a s c e rt ai n po s sibi l it i e s wh ich s eem
to plac e i t on a h igh e r l eve l a s a democ rat ic i n st ru m ent t ha n t h e
.
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
,
.
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
'
.
.
,
,
’
.
,
.
,
,
.
.
,
.
,
*
'
.
,
,
1
S H O RT B ALLO T
52
of
An n al s
A m e r i c a n A c a d em y : C o mm i s s i o n G o v e r n m en t
- 0
i n A m e r i c an C i t i e s 2 d E d
7
th e
.
,
City -Manage r Cha rte r
o
f D ayton
.
L
.
D
.
Up so n
T h e D ayton ch a rte r i s an en d eavo r to reta in th e st rengt h o f
th e comm i s s i on p l an —th e c onc ent rati on o f po l i cy d ete rm in in g
a utho rity i n a s m al l n on -p a rt i san l egi slat i v e bo dy— an d to ad d
to i t a p e rman en t ad m i n i st rat i ve forc e o f t ra i ned e x ecu tive s
Ne i th e r th e c omm i s s io n n o r f ed eral sch em e o f gove rnm ent
s ec u re s th i s l a st en d Th e fede ra l w a rd p l an o f rep re sentati on
a n d th e bi en n i a l c hange o f d ep a rtm enta l h ead s h a s b e en d i s
c red ited A n d i nv e st igati on s sh o w ed th at comm i s si on go ve rn
m en t w h il e an i mp rov em en t h ad n ot s ec u red th e d e si rabl e
effi c i ency i n c i ty a dm in i st rat i on
I t doe s n ot app ea r p ractic abl e to sel ect m e n f rom th e ave rage
w al k s o f l i fe an d requ i re th em n ot on ly to d ete rm in e th e pol ic i e s
o f a m u n ic ipa l ity b u t al so to d i rect t h e t echn ic al d et ai l s o f
c on d uct ing a c ity d ep a rtmen t T h e ob vio u s s ol uti on o f t h i s
p rob l e m i s th e c ompl ete s epa rati on o f the l egi slati v e f ro m t h e
a dm i n i st rat i v e fu nct ion s o f gov e r n m en t i n conj u ncti on w it h a
sh o rt n o n -p a rt i san ba l l ot Th i s w a s eff ect ed i n th e D ayton
c h a rte r wh ic h w a s mod el e d c l o se ly upon th e Lockport p lan
T h e r ep re sentat i v e body i s l i m ited st ri ct ly to l egi sl at i ve d ut i e s
dete rm i n ing w h at sh al l b e th e la rge gen e ra l pol i c i e s fo r th e
gov e rnm ent T h e ex ecut i on o f th es e pol ic i e s i s d el egate d to
an appoi nt ed c ity m anage r h el d d e fi n it ely re spon si bl e fo r th em
Fi v e comm i ssi on e rs o r co unc i l m en el ect ed at la rg e o n a n o n
pa rt i sa n t icket fo r a t erm o f fo u r y ea r s con sti tut e th e l egi s l at iv e
d i v i si on o f th e c ity s gov e rnm ent A fte r c on si d e rat io n o f both
p ropo rt i onal rep resentat ion an d th e p re fe rent i a l bal lot it w a s
dec i ded th at nom i n ati on s b e secu red by at l ea st t wo p e r cent o f
th e regi ste red v ote r s si gn ing a p et i ti on t o p l ac e th ei r c an d id at e
o n th e p rim a ry bal l ot
A t th e fi r st e lecti on fi ve cand i date s w e r e
s el ected th e th ree rec e i v ing th e g reate st vot e to s e rv e f o r fou r
yea r s T he rema in ing t wo h ol d offi c e fo r t wo y ea rs
Th u s th e boa r d o f c omm i s sion e rs become s a c ont in uo u s body
t w o m embe rs th en th ree m embe r s be in g el ect ed every a lt e rnat e
t wo y ea rs I n th i s mann e r a l egi sl at i ve body w i l l be a s su red
a po rti on o f w h ic h w i l l h e a l w ay s fam i l ia r w it h th e aff a i r s o f th e
c ity ; an d at th e sam e t ime the re w i l l b e a tend ency to p re ven t
.
.
,
,
.
,
,
.
,
,
.
.
.
,
,
.
.
,
,
’
.
,
,
.
,
.
.
.
.
,
.
,
S H O R T B ALL O T
1
p
53
th e who l e sal e remova l o f a dm i n i st rat i v e offi ce rs suc h a s m ight
b e atten d an t up on a qua d ren n i a l choo si n g o f ent i rely n e w
rep re sentat iv e s
T h e com m i s si on e r recei v i ng th e h i gh e st vot e a t th e el ecti o n
at wh i ch th ree co mm i s s i on e rs a r e c ho sen— that i s onc e ev ery
f o u r yea rs act s a s m ayo r H i s m aj o r d ut i e s a re t o act a s ch a i r
m an o f t h e com m i s sion an d to rep r e s ent th e c ity a s o n e o f t h e
m embe rs o f th e cou n ty bu dget commi s sio n fo r th e fi x i ng o f th e
ta x rat e I n a d d it i on h e i s recogn i z ed a s t h e o ffi c ia l h ea d o f
th e c i ty by th e c ou rt s a n d by t h e gove rn o r fo r th e p u rp o se s o f
th e mi l it a ry l a w T h e re i s n o v eto p o we r an d th e mayo r i s i n
real ity on ly th e ce rem on i a l h ea d o f t h e gov e rn men t
Obj ect io n ha s been m a d e to th i s m etho d o f choo sing th e
m ayor i n p re feren ce to h av i ng ca n d i dat e s ru n fo r t h i s des ig
n at ed offi ce
I t i s n o w po s s i bl e fo r any d i sgru nt l ed fact i on by
fa i l in g t o v ot e f o r a l l bu t on e can di d ate t o i n s u re th e cho ice o f
th e mo st u nd e si rab l e m embe r o f th e c om mi s si on a s m ayo r Th i s
h a s n ot p rov e d t ru e l oca l ly b ut i s do ubt l es s a th eo ret i c a l ob i c e
t ion w i th co n s i de rabl e fou n dat ion
Comm i s si o ne r s rec ei v e a n om i na l s a la ry a s on ly a p o rt ion
o f the i r t i me i s n ec e s sa ry fo r th e p e rform anc e O f th ei r p ub l ic
d ut i e s w h i ch m ay be su mm a ri z e d a s :
I Th e app oi ntment o f a c ity m an age r
2
T h e en actm ent o f t h e c i ty app rop ri at io n o rdi n an ce an d
app rova l o f th e m ayo r s b u dget up on w h i ch th e t a x r ate i s b a s ed
E n actm en t o f p ol ic e o rd i n ance s
3
E n actment o f re sol ut i on s an d o rd i n ance s d et e rm in ing
4
up on p ub l i c w o rk s t o b e pa i d f o r by sp ec ia l a s se s sment
A s i de fro m t h e c i ty m anage r th e com m i ssi on i s empo were d
to app oi nt a c l erk se ve ral m emb er s o f a n u n i mp o rt ant c ou nty
bo a rd an d a non -p a rt i s an b o a r d t o ex ec ut e th e c i vi l ser vic e
cl a u se o f t h e ch a rt e r T h e appoi nt ment s o f th e city manage r
may b e ma d e fr o m th e en ti r e e ligib l e l is t a s d ete rm i n ed by t h e
c i v i l s e rv ic e bo ard an d d i sm i s sal s c an b ecom e op erat i v e on ly
a fte r an app eal to t h at b ody h a s been h ea rd S uch lati tu d e i n
empl oyi n g wo u l d p erm i t a c omm i ss i on an d m anage r s o i n c l in ed
to c reate a p o l it ic a l m ach i n e al mo st i mp regn abl e O n t he oth e r
h an d th e p ri v i l eg e g ranted o f a d i sm i s sed emp l oye e to app ea l
to a b oa rd wh o s e d eci sion i s fi n al p racti cal ly comp el s th e m an
age r t o p rov e i ncomp etency beyon d any qu esti on T h e m an age r
i s d i r ec t l y respon si bl e n ot on ly to th e comm i s s i on b u t t o the
,
.
.
,
.
,
.
,
.
,
.
.
,
.
,
.
.
.
,
’
.
.
.
.
.
,
‘
’
,
.
,
,
.
.
,
,
.
,
,
S HO R T B AL L O T
1 54
publ i c fo r th e e ffi ci en t adm in i st rati on o f th e c ity an d i nabi l ity
to d i sm i s s f reel y un d es i rab l e emp loyee s wou l d seem to th row a n
un wa r rant ed ob stacl e i n t h e w ay o f t h at accomp l i shment
Th e c i ty man age r app o i nt ed by th e comm i s sion i s th e
ad mi ni st rat i ve h ea d o f th e ci ty gove rn ment an d resp on sib l e fo r
al l dep a rtm ent s T h i s ad m i n i st rat o r i s appoi nte d w ithou t rega rd
“
t o p o l it i ca l bel i e fs a nd may o r m ay n ot b e a re si den t o f th e
”
c i ty o f D ayton wh en app oi nted
B ut w h eth er t h e manage r
m ay b e a re s i den t o f a st at e oth e r th an Oh i o i s qu e st i onab l e
“
Th e st ate con sti tut io n requ i re s th at
no p e r son shal l b e el ected
o r appoi nt ed to any offi c e i n th i s state u n l es s h e po s se s s th e
”
qu al i fi cat ion s o f a n el ecto r
T h e man age r h ol d s o ffi ce at th e
w i l l o f th e comm i ss i on e rs an d i s al so s ubj ect t o p op u la r reca l l
Th i s l a st p ro vi si on i s o f c ou rse a d ep a rtu re from recogni zed
goo d p racti ce b ut w a s bel i e ve d n ec e ssa ry t o s ecu re p u bl ic eu
do r s em en t o f so rad ica l a n i n novat ion i n th e m eth od o f l oca l
gov ernm ent
D o u btl e ss al s o th e po si ti on an d p ol it i cal i n d ep en d enc e o f th i s
ex ecu ti ve w ou l d hav e b een st rength en ed h a d i t b een m ad e n ec es
s ary fo r th e co m m i s sion i n d i scha rging th e i r emp l oyee to p re fe r
formal cha rg es an d h ol d a p u bl i c h ea ri ng u pon th e sam e T h e
S h o rt B a l l ot an d th e rec a l l w i l l p robably i nh i bit a repet it io n o f
th e po l i ti ca l j obbery i n th e d i sm i s s ing an d h i ri n g o f a manage r
wh ich i s s een s o f requ ently i n th e i n st anc e o f schoo l s uper in
t en den ts yet i t m igh t ha ve been w el l t o mak e th i s p roh i biti o n
d oubl y s u re
Su mma ri z e d b ri e fly th e d u tie s o f th e m a n age r a re a s fol l ow s :
I T o s ee that th e la w s an d o rd in anc e s a re en fo rced
2
T o app oi nt a nd exc ept a s h e rei n p rov i d ed remove a l l
d i recto rs o f d epa rtm ent s an d a l l s ubo rd in at e o ffi c e rs a n d em
pl o y ees i n th e d epa rtm en t s i n both th e cl a s si fi ed an d u nc la ssi fi ed
s e rv i c e
T o ex e rc i s e c ont ro l ove r a l l depa rt men t s a n d d i v i si on s
3
c reated h erei n o r th a t may b e h erea fte r c reat ed by th e comm i s
s ion
T o atten d al l meet i ngs o f th e comm i s si on w it h th e r ight
4
to tak e pa rt i n th e d i scu s s ion bu t ha vi ng n o vot e
T o recomm en d to th e comm i s si on fo r adopt ion suc h
5
m ea su re s a s h e may d eem n ece s sa ry o r exped i ent
6
T o keep th e com m i s si on fu l ly a d vi s ed a s to th e fi nanc ia l
con d it ion o f th e c ity an d
,
.
,
,
,
.
,
‘
.
.
,
.
.
,
.
,
.
,
,
.
.
.
.
,
,
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
,
1
56
S H O RT B ALLO T
p arti al l y i n v ested i n sec u ri ng a n a s si stan t c i ty man age r th e reby
i n su ring a mo re tha n o n e-ma n o rgan i z at ion
T h e manage r
m igh t t h en re s ign b e recal led fal l i l l o r be ot he rw i se i nc ap ac i
t ated an d t he re w ou l d b e rea dy t o a s s u m e h i s re sp on si bi l i t i e s
a s m an age r a s ubo rdi nat e f u l ly fam il i a r w ith th e d ut i es p rogram
an d o rga n i z at i on o f th e gov ern ment Un d e r th e D ayton cha rt e r
so m any obl igat ion s d evol v e u pon t h e m an age r pe rsonal ly som e
o f wh i ch u n fo rt un at ely a re o f a p u rely rout i n e ch a r act e r suc h
a s th e s i gn in g o f a l l th e o rd e r s fo r c ity s upp l i es th at a f ew
d ay s n egl ect w ou l d b ri n g th e l oc a l a dm in i st rat i on i nto gra v e
d i so rd e r
D u rin g t h e camp a ign an tec ed en t to th e w rit i ng an d a dopt i on
o f t he ch a rte r con si d e rabl e d i sc u s si on w a s ra i sed c onc e rn i ng
th e p rope r st atu s o f th e c i ty sol ic ito r an d au d it o r i n t h e p ropo sed
p l an I t w a s cont end ed th at th e fi n anc ia l offi c e r bein g acc ount
abl e fo r an y i l l ega l p aym ent s by h i s d epa rtm ent sh ou l d hav e a
di sc ret i on i n d ep end ent o f m an ager i a l i nfl u enc e I t w a s a l s o
ad van c ed that a n i n d ep en den t sol ic i to r wo u l d be amp l e sec u rit y
t o th i s en d s i nc e th e a ud i to r mu st accept th e Opi n ion o f th i s
offi c e r a s t o th e l egal i ty o f fi na nc i a l t ran sact i on s o f th e m un i
c ip a l ity
At on e t i m e i t w a s p ropo se d to h a ve both th e sol icito r
an d aud ito r appo in ted by th e com m i s s ion rath er than by th e
m an age r Th i s p ropo s it i on p rob ably a ro se fro m a n at u ra l rel uct
ance t o de s ert enti rel y a gove rn m en t o f ch eck s a n d bal anc e s so
l ong co m mon i n A m e r ican p ract i c e I t wa s h o w ev e r a st ruggl e
b etween p ol it ic al th eo ry an d a d e si re fo r c onc ent rated a uth o rity
i n wh ich th e l att e r p reva i l e d T h e co rrectn e s s o f ei the r p os it ion
c an on ly be empi ric al l y d ete rm i n ed
Th e b road s oc i a l ch a ract e r o f th e d oc u men t m ay be j u dged
from th e c reat ion o f a n ent i re d epa rtm ent conce rn ed w i th t h e
wel fa re o f th e c i t i z en bod y No t on ly i s t h e p romot i on o f publ ic
h eal th pa rk s a n d rec reat i on c ente red i n th i s d i v i s ion but th e
di rect o r m u s t p rov id e fo r re s ea rch i nto th e c au se s o f p ov e rty
d el i nq u ency c ri m e an d d i sea se an d oth e r soc i al p robl em s i n th e
com mun ity ; an d m u st by l ect u res and pu bl i city fac i l itat e a w i de r
un d e rstan d i ng o f th e se q ue st ion s If t h i s s ect i on i s ma d e
eff ect i ve i n th e sa m e sp i ri t i n wh ic h i t w a s w ritt en th e c it y
go ve rn ment w i l l n o t on ly refl ect th e p rog res s i ve soc ia l i zed op in
io n o f th e c it i zen body b ut w i l l c reat e i t an d th e c ity it se l f
becom e a n act i ve l ead e r i n p romot i ng th e d iffi c u lt a rt o f c o m
m u n ity l i v i ng
,
.
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
’
.
,
.
,
,
'
.
,
.
.
.
,
,
.
.
.
,
,
.
,
,
.
,
,
.
,
S H O RT B ALL O T
1
57
Un iqu e i n A m e rica n p ract i c e i s a p rov i s i o n bo rro wed f rom
G e rm any w h i ch p ro vi de s fo r t h e po s s ib l e appo intmen t o f c it i z en
boa rd s t o act i n a n a d vi so ry c ap a City w ith d ep a rtm enta l h ea d s ;
an d th e appo i nt men t o f a s i m i l a r c i ty -p l an co mm i s s ion i s mad e
m an dato ry N o p ow e r s a re g rant e d su ch bod i e s excep t that
t hei r r ecomm en dat io n s becom e d ep a r tm ent al reco rd s an d th ere
m u st b e regu l a r state d m eet in gs
I n a d d it i on to th e ea sy am en dm ent o f th e ch arte r democ rati c
gove rn ment i s s afegu a rd e d by th e p rov i si on fo r t h e i n i t i at i v e
re f e r en du m an d rec al l I t i s u n fo rtu nat e h o w eve r th at th e
bal lot at r ec a l l el ect i on s n ot on l y cont ai n s th e p rop o si ti o n fo r
rec a l l b ut al so th e na m es o f s uc h c an d i d ate s fo r t h e p o s s i bl e
v acan t offi ce a s m ay h av e secu re d th e requ i r ed n umb er o f s ign a
t ur es N o reca l l p et iti on m ay b e fi l e d aga i n st an y offi c e r u nt i l
s i x month s a f te r th e el ect i on o r th e fa i l u re o f a r ecal l e lecti on
aga i n st h i m Th e p e rc entage o f e l ecto r s r equ i red to i n it i ate o r
re fe r l egi sl at i on an d t o r ec al l o ffi c i a l s i s th e sam e o r l e s s t han
th a t fou n d i n ov e r o n e-hal f o f th e c ities h av i ng si mi la r l egi s l a
t i on p rov i s i on s b u t i s rel at i v ely h igh w h en comp a re d w i th th e
p e rc entag e—ten pe r c en t— n ece s sa ry to am en d th e cha rt e r T h i s
d i sc repancy w a s kn o w i ngl y i nco rp o rat ed f rom a d e si r e to p re
vent th e h a r a s si ng O f th e c om m i s s io n by d i sg ru ntl ed po l it ica l
el e ment s
A s i d e f rom th e s ep a rati on o f t h e l egi sl at iv e an d adm i n i st rat i v e
d i v i si on s o f gov e rn ment i t i s i n th e p roc ed u re l a i d do wn fo r
t h e op e rat ion o f th es e l atte r b r anch e s th at th e ch art e r i s m o st
n otab l e Wh i l e al l gov e rn m en t i s d ep en dent on t h e q u al i ty o f
c ho s en offi ci a l s a n d th e e xten t o f c it i z en i nte re st ye t i t i s b e
l iev Ed th at th e cha rt e r p r o v i s i on s gov e rn i ng b u d g et m aki n g
acco un t i ng p roc ed u re th e p u rchasi ng o f s upp l i e s se rv ic e an d
op e rat i ng co st stan d a rd i z ati on o f d uti e s an d c omp en sati on et c
a re o f suc h a c ha racte r a s w i l l t en d to in s u re a d e si rabl e m i n i
m u m o f effi c i en cy i n c i ty gov ernm ent even sho u l d th e re b e an
a ft er —
el ect i on sl u mp i n p ubl ic in t ere s t N o m att er wh at ch a r
a ct e r o f m en a r e l ate r ch o s en to adm i ni ste r th e go vern m ent o f
D ayton th ey m u st o f n ec e ss ity u se t h e m o st mod er n m etho d s
i n that adm i n i st rat ion— m eth od s wh i ch mo st rea d i ly ra i se dange r
s i gn al s at n eg lect in effi ci ency o r co r rupt i on
Frequ ent comm ent h a s been m a de upo n th e a l mo st u n i v ersa l
f ai l u re o f comm i s s i on -gov e rn e d c it i es to i n stal l mod ern sci enti fi c
m eth o d s o f ci ty bu sin e s s an d up on th e f act that a fe w c iti e s
,
.
,
.
,
.
,
,
.
,
,
,
,
.
.
.
_
,
.
.
,
,
.
,
"
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
.
,
,
.
,
1 58
S H O RT B ALLO T
ope r at in g un d e r a c um be rsom e fo r m o f fed e ra l gov e rnm en t h av e
by th e a d opt i on o f t h e s e same h i th e rto n egl ected o rd i n ances
p l ac ed th em sel v es i n th e fi rst ran k o f e ffi c i entl y gove rn ed mu n i
c ipa lit ies
E ven w e re th e re n o l e sson to b e d ra wn f ro m th es e
c i rcu m stanc e s i t i s to b e ant ic ip at ed th at i n devel op in g a sy stem
o f go ve rn m ent mode l ed c lo s ely upo n th e p l a n o f i nco rp orated
com m e rc i a l o rgan i z at ion s an en d eavo r wou l d h ave bee n m ad e
to i nc l u d e al so c e rtai n c h a racte ri st i c feat u re s o f th ei r m an age
m ent
M o s t n otabl e o f th e se i s p e rh ap s t h e ca r e u sed i n the
col l ect i on an d d i sb u rsem en t o f f u n d s
B egi nn i ng w i th th e appr op ri at ion o f fun d s i t i s requ i red
th at d epa rtmenta l e st i mat e s sha l l be co mpi l e d by th e m anage r
f ro m deta i l e d i n fo rmat i on regi st ered o n un i fo rm bl ank s I n
s u b stitu t ion fo r th e h et e rogeneou s di v i si on o f exp end itu re s fo r
me rl y p rev ai l ing t h e n ew c l a s s i fi cat i on m u st b e u n i fo rm fo r
eac h o f th e m a i n fu nct i on a l d i v i si on s o f al l d epa rtm ent s an d
d ep a rtm enta l requ e st s m u st gi ve i n p a ra l l el c ol um n s t h e fol lo w
i ng in fo rmat i on :
( a ) A d et ai l ed e st i mat e o f d epa rtmen ta l n eed s
( b ) E xp en di tu re s fo r cor re sp ond i n g i tem s c ov e r i ng t h e pa st
t wo yea rs
( c ) E xp en d itu re s o f th e p res en t y ea r i nc l u d ing t ran s fe rs
S u pp li e s o n h an d
( e ) Inc rea se s an d d ec rea s es
( f) Oth e r i n fo rmati on req ui red
( g ) R ecomm en d at ion s o f th e c i ty m an ager
A dd it iona l p rov i si on i s m ad e fo r th e p ubl icati on o f a n d
p ub l ic h ea ri ng o n th e bu d get e st i m at e be fo re i t ca n be en act ed
D u ri ng th e o l d r egi m e th e
i nt o l a w
Th i s i s a n otabl e ga in
p ubl i c w a s rec entl y abl e to Obtai n an i n fo rma l h ea ri ng o n th e
d epa rtmental e st im at es bu t wa s n eve r a l l owed to l ea rn t h e
conten t s o f t h e fi n a l app rop r iat ion o rd i n ance u nt i l i t w a s p re
sent ed t o co unci l for app rova l an d th en i t w a s n o t u n f req uent ly
a men ded f rom th e fl oo r
Fo r th e regu l ati on o f th e acc oun ting p roc ed u re i t wa s d ec id ed
t o i nco rpo rat e two sect ion s fou nd i n t h e C l evelan d c ha rte r
“
w h ic h requ i r e that accou nt in g p roced u re s sh al l b e d evi sed a nd
mai nt a i n ed f o r th e c ity a deq ua te to r ec o r d in d eta il a l l tra ns
l ip a n d
d is po s itio n
c us to d ia ns /
a ff ec tin g
th e a c q u is itio n
a c tio ns
”
A co rol l a ry c l a u s e bu t o n e u pon wh ich th e abov e
o f z a l nes
d epen d s f o r i ts i nt e rp retat io n read s i n pa rt a s fol low s : the
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
.
,
.
,
.
,
.
.
.
,
.
.
.
.
.
.
,
,
.
,
'
.
,
"
1
S H O RT
60
B A L L OT
a revi e w by spec i a l a uth o ri t i e s No doubt i t p o s se sse s many
w eakn e s se s a n u mbe r o f w h ich h ave a l ready becom e appa ren t
u n d e : c l o se r sc ru ti ny H o we ve r i t do e s n ot a s s u m e t o b e th e
l a st wo rd bu t rath e r th e fi r st w o r d i n gov e rn m en t o f th i s ch a r
act e r On ly yea rs o f expe ri enc e can so l v e m any o f th e q u e st ion s
w h i c h a re da i ly p re sent in g th em se l v e s a n d do ubtl es s th e fi n al
l a w con t rol l i n g c it i e s adopt in g th e p ri nc i p l es i nco rpo rated h e re
w i l l h av e many e s sent i a l d i ff e ren ces Yet i t i s bel i eve d th at
th e re h a s been d ev i sed h e re a pl an o f gov e rn m ent t h e p ri nc i pl e
o f wh ich w i l l sol v e t h e grav e p rob lem o f m u n i cip a l a dm i n i st ra
t ion i n A m eri ca
.
,
'
.
,
,
.
,
.
,
.

Under provisions of fif:te low, th] re,prt I. a public documnrlt. A copy (f

Telephone Mnemonics and Complementary Numbers: A Review of

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

Point to point architecture

http://www.ugt-cat.net/subdominis/premsa/triptic_reforma_pensions041113.pdf

Local Textual Inference

Underwood Tariff Bill the Sugar Schedule Protesting Against the

as guest Some pages are restricted