The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1862-04-03
A Word for the New Charter.


Mr.. EDIToR:-WheR the question of Old
or New Charter was withdrawn from the
people by the Councils resembling its order
for its submission it was hoped that all fur
Their agitation i.pun he subject would cease.
The advocates of the Old Charter had pro-
fessed to be opposed to such agitation, and
in favor of peace and quiet in our city cleo
ton, in order that the people might be ena-
bled to select the best men for our munich
pal officers, untrammeled by any such ex-
citing question, and without regard to
party or platform. But now that the friends
of the New Charter have met you upon
your own chosen ground, you all at once
wax full of fight, and make fierce and
general assault upon the position your
treacherous flag of truce has induced US to
leave undefended.
There is no question of New or Old Char
ter before the people. You know it well.
Yet you and your army of "Oily-gam-
mon" correspondents, with the aid of the
Volksbote and horde of candidates for
Councilmen, afraid TO risk their chances
on the public appreciation of their merits,
are keeping up a continual FIRE upon the
New Charter, and evidently think to carry
everything before yon by your humbug cry
of Free Schools" " Free School candi-
date" &C.; when you know that the free
schools are not ia issue, or endangered,
whatever may be the result, and that most
of the friends of the New Charter are also
just as good and true friends Of the schools
as they can boast in the city. aA
Now, sir, as you seem determined to con-
tinue those unfair and ungenerous attacks
upon point that has been withdrawn from
the fight, hope you will at least have the
common deceney 10 allow those of us who
would gladly have maintained that g citadel
of strength the privilege of a return shot
through your columns.
The truth is, the people are not acquaint-
ed with the merits of the new charter. and
its opponents don't intend they shall be if
they can prevent it. Hence, the proposition
in the Council that it be printed for the
information of the people was voted down
and by the old charter majority. They
dare not meet the truth. Theu fear The
light, for their deeds are evil There could
be no better evidence that they know their
cause to be weak one.
There is one section Of t ths aaf asssfI it
and pretend to know all about it, don't
seem to be aware of; f-you did, l think it
would somewhat abate the zeal with which
you keep it before the people. That Sec
ton provides that majority of the Council
may at any time adopt the new and surren-
der the old charter. 1t is as follows:
"SEcTIoN 10. Any city heretofore in
corporated under a law of this State, may,
by resolution of the Common Council
adopted by majority thereof and entered
upon their record book, become municipal
corporation under this act; the same shall
be deemed a surrender of the charter of said
city with all the rights and franchises there
in contained, and nc such city shall be en- |
titled TO any provisions of this act without
adopting the whOle.-Statute 1851, o. SO"
In view OF this provision hadn't you old |
charter leaders better run the machine a /
little slow2 II, after your one-sided dis
enssion, a majority of new charter men
should be elected, you could hardly COM
pam II it should be taken as verdict
against you, and Judgment be rendered ac-
cOrdingly.
\ 'He principal argument in favor of the
adoption OF the new charter in the plsce Of
TUG Oiu Is TIE great financial relief il wonld
anord our now Over-taxed and over-hnr.