Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-01-22
THE PRESENT CHARTER-THE TIME
OF LIS EXPIRATION.

We ma general impression prevalent that.
though the term Of the present Charter ends in
May next, 1t Will continue operative until n
new one Is supplied, OF until some other pro-
vision i made for the government of the city
In this matter, however, the legal gentlemen
disagree. Some, at least of our lawyers. hold
that by the wording of the act of 1913, eontinu-
ing the Charter for twenty years, il expires
finally on the Eth day of MAY, 1S6S. The diff
1rrence between that Charter and the Charter
Of ls1D. in this respect. is in the use of the
words = OF and - and" The concluding Sec
ton Of the Charter of 1S2O provides that
this set shall continue in force for and
during the term OF twenty years, and until
Congress shall by law determine otherwise
The twenty years time named for the existence
of this Charter expired in 1910, vet, by virtue
OF the concluding clause. il remained in force
until May n, Isis, when an act was passed
continuing the Charter ssfor the term of twenty
years from the date hereof, or until Congress
shall hy law determine Otherwise 1t is held
thai the bearing of this clause is precisely the
SAM a. that of the provision in regard to en-
listed men, by which. during the late war they
were held .-fOr three years or during the war
Thus they could not BE- held longer than three
YEAR, though they might be discharged sooner
50 IN the case OF the renewed Charter of ISIS. il
could not by its terms exist longer than until
MAY J.. IT, put might De done away with at
any time previous 10 that period
Under this view of the case, it will b. seen
there l. but little time left in which 10 perfect
and pass Charter act suited to the present and
future needs of the District The bill intro
OuCed BY Mr.. Harlan In the senate ITO Renew
the Charter and Extend the Boundaries of the
CITY Of " Washington (and which. by the wav
seems 10 be- perpetual charter. no limit in
time for MS existence being mentioned,) pro-
Nidts that 1.-The Mayor, Judge of Orphans
Court, Recorder of Deeds Register of Wills
Treasurer, Surveyor and Members of Alder
men, and Assessors TO fill the vacancies occa-
STONED by the expiration of their respective
TINS of Office in the year 1868 under existing
law-. shall be- elected on the first Monday in
ApTit next" a. also the members of the Board
al COuncilmen. and Justices of The Peace on the
same day.
A. ~ all b. requisite to 90 through the tetii-
OU> process of registration in all the wards pre-
NlOU> To the election. and also TO give due no.
tice and publication of the same. il will be
+ adily seen that should Mr.. Harian's bill be-
sdopted by Congress for our Charter law 1t
VIII b. requisite that il should get through all
the forms of legislation and signing certainly
not later than the middle OF February. Or, in
case Mr.. MOrriII's bill. doing away with the
elective franchise and providing for the gov
eminent of the District BY Commissioners
should b. adopted the action upon it must be
equally prompt, "a IL Will require COR siderable
time snd adjustment to get all the new machI-
nrry IN operation, 10 take the place of the old
1OTm of government on the expiration of the
present Charter.