Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1858-03-29
The new Cisy Chartsr.

W0UO W TIC CiSy ~uSsS1A ~~ f~'~
the General Assembly and was sppro-
we'd the 30th inst. At the outset, We
give notice that We shall oppose it, as
lar ~ lies in our power, not only be-
cause It il scheme by the opposition,
to Dust out Of Office men who have
been duly elected by the people but
because it makes the machinery for the
city, iar more expensive, unreliable
and cumbssaome.
Rastern cities, with fve times our
population, are content with a mayor
and Board of Alderman. Our city
requires = government that will act
quickly economically and prudently.
The new charter, provides for the
election on the first Saturday after the
6rst Monday in April, Mayor, twelve
Aldermen, from twelve newly made
wards, constituting Board of Alder
men, and ok Councilmen, two from
each of three Council districts, FORM
ing Board Of Councilmen.
We cannot but think the people will
oppose measure uncalled for, and so
unnecessary. The object Of course,
ID to vacate the offices of the present
Board-a fraud that many Republicans
will not approve, especially as it is to
followed by another more cumberous
system.
Again, the councilmen are to super
cede and perform the duties Of the JUS
tees Of the Peace. This is all wrong
the Justices Of the Peace should be
removed as far as possible from popu-
lar clamor and political strife. The
partixan councilman who has embark
ed with oil his zeal in the municipal
election, is scarcely the man to sit in
judgment upon the rights, property Of
the citizens. The Justices of the Peace
are selected for their legal abilities, and
their competency to discharge their
duties. We do not make the strife
about them, that we do about other
officers. Democrats and Republicans
will very often DO found voting for the
same man for Justice.
A man may make good council
man and yet poor Justice. He may
be a good Partizan, and yet do but lit
tie to arrest and punish crime. Indeed,
his very political position, which he is
always desirous to strengthen, will lead
him rather to release, than punish the
offender.
The Judicial power of New York
city, has always been opposed in its at
temPts to punish the political bully and
rufian, BY members of the common
council. The Mayor, Police and Re-
corder have arrested them, the alder
men has proceeded, exparte, to hear
the case, and discharged them. The
council should not have legislative and
judicial powers. In New York judi
cial power was taken from the alder
men. Let the council make the laws,
and the courts enforce them!
Again, the new charter summarily
vacates the Office Of police magistrate,
. fraud upon the present incumbent,
and fraud upon the safety of the cit
liens. No one who has attended at
the police Office and seen the effective
way, in which justice is administered
there, and who has any regard for the
safety Of morals Of the citizen, can con-
scientously vote to abolish that court.
The Mayor, and other gentlemen
named, are to appoint, three inspec-
tors Of election, for each ward, and in
case Of = tie or . contest, the clerk Of
the District Court shall decide the
same he being . Republican, instead
Of the District Judge, as now provided
BY law. The Aldermen and council
men, Az their own salary, and it will
be easily seen, that there being 20
many more persons 10 do the bnslness,
1t will take great deal more time to
do It. At the same time, . city clerk,
Treasurer, city Attorney and Marshal,
ore to be elected-a rather summary
plan, to Get aside the present city At
torney, Mr.. Buchanan.
There are also to be elected 4 street
commissioner, from each Of the three
council dlstr1cts, and these commission
en- are to have Jurisdiction Of all road
matter, and the city is not authorized
to appoint any street commissioner.
All such officers should be appointed
BY the council, and be subject to reno
val and the city should have right to
control tho streets.
Again, the Legislature have author.
ised, which We believe they never did
before, the judges and clerk Of the
election to require, the best evidence Of
IL qssli feat;os ef asy soss,, which
means simply that every nsturalised
sitissn, must show HI papers, wor-
Thy s'lie .eftAs days Il dark larsssns'