Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1873-03-29
A TEMPEST.

eight points of the compass.
A TEMPEST.
There has been considerable
amount of complaint and no little
discussion about the new city char
ter, recently passed by the Legis
lature. Some time in January last
the council had bill framed and
forwarded to the Hon. John Henry
Brown, our Representative at Aus.
tin, in which they incorporated
such comprensive measures as
might enable them to meet every
emergency involved in the rapid
growth of the city. Among other
features of the bill was n provision
authorizing an assessment of one
per cont. upon property, which was
reduced by the Legislature to
three -fourths Of one per cent
This reductionsit is claimed, will
work disadvantagcohsIy to the in
tcrests Of the city, as the calcula,
ton as to the amount Of money ne
cessary to dcfray the city debt and
the current expenses of it's admin
istration, was carefully made and
the bill forwarded was SO framed
as to provide for this outlay on a
basis Of taxation at one per cont.
Some of the clear headed, dcliber-
ate thinkers of the city, who have
maturely considered the merits and
dGmcrits of tho new charter, how.
ever, are of opinion that the re-
duced rate, fixed by tho Legisla-
ture, is all sufficient and that the
amount lost by tho reduction will
be compensated by,another clause
inserted by tho Hon. John Henry
Brown, which provides that the
salaries of the paid officials shall
not be more than one third of The
adva lorume tax. collected The
Mayor is allowed salary of $500
per annum, and tho city attorney
the sum OF $500 for his services.
In addition to these sums however,
the pcrquisites usually collected
from criminals convicted in tho
city court, are allowed to be retain
cd by these respective officers. An
other provision, which is objection
able also, is the authority which
the charter delegates to every one
to vcnd Vegetables, 3D., during
market hours without having 10
pay license tax--this- provision
however, is intended to protect
country people from any tax which
the city might assess them for the
privilege of vending the growths
of their gardens. The new char
ter is, tprebably too comprehensive
in its Legislation with reference to
some Of the domestic concerns of
the city, which had probably bet
ter been loft to the CounciL Such,
for instance, is the clause with ref
crenoes to hitching horses along
the rthoroughfaros, and the camp
ing Of wagon trains within the city
limits, over which tho Council is
not allowed to exercise any legis-
lative power, either regulating or
restricting such matters. A few
evenings ago the City Council met
to hear the new charter read,
which was the occasion of some
discention and trouble among that
body. One or two of the members
were so indignant at the changes
inserted in the bill framed by the
Board that they retired from the
meeting, declaring their intention
to resign. Yesterday morning a
quorum was obtained, and reso-
4
luton of censure of the Hon. Mr..
Brown was introduced, which,
however, was 80 modified as
not TO be partitularly personal,
and by a party vote, rs VIC
were informed, was passed4 4 ayes
to 8 nays. We regret that any
thing should occur TO mar the good
will of our citizens for each other,
and hope that a little time spent in
maturing the best means of util-
king all the powers that we have
as a corporation, may effect the uIti-
mate good of the whole city. five
can't collect aiI the taxes ~c need
it is nc reason why We should noi