, 1875-01-17
OBJ Cbuagp Uriibut1t.
OUR MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.

OUR MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.
We have commented briefly upon the pro.
posed amendments to the general act Of in
corporation Of cities in Illinois. and return to
the subject, hoping to arouse public attention
to the greet Importance OF the question Our
citizens shoulG understand the present en-
barrassed condition Of TIC City Government,
and that ttini7 embarrassment is rendered more
complicated by our present charter, under
which tbs executive authority is exercised
by irresponsible Boards, :he Mayor is power
Lees fgure-head, and the number Of officials
Is constantly increasing, and where the
sGlaries OF the officers consume q very
large proportion Of the revenue they are ap-
pointed to disbarsa. There is no e1tticahon
pf the city from its grave financial and other
will enable it to shake OF the present cum
be1some and irresponsible form Of govern
ment, and establish in place Of it one moro
adapted to the wants of a metropolitan city,
md combining responsibility with executive
authority. The general act of incorporation
vas Of course designed for cities of all grades;
It contained many things unsuitable for Chi
cago, and did not contain many which are
essential 1t is proposed BY these amend
ments to enlarge this general &C: Of incor-
poradon, and Jet leave the adoption Of these
enlarged powers optional with the people Of
tho several cities
Among the proposed amendments is one
ko1- E.r To~-+n:1
power to defeat the demand Of tho people Of
the city for u change. We Ill know how the
present Common Council Of this city post.
poned scdon On the petition Of the voters, so
as to delay the election On the question OF
adopting the new charter, in order that the
present charter and form OF government
should continue until 1877. The proposed
amendment to this part Of tho law
makes a vots On this subject in Novem-
ber, 1875, mandatory, and authorizes
such q vote to be taken every four
years, whether tha Common Council consent
to it or not. In addition, it authorizes such
election to be held On petition. It also pro-
vides that, in oase the majority shal1 vota for
such charter, there shall be an election in
the succeeding April In casa the people of
this city shall in April next, at the special
election, vote for the adoption Of the new
charter, the Mayor and other officers to be
elected in November next, under the old
charter, will be elected to serve until April,
1877, only. This amendment, while not i'm
pairing the uniformity of the law, secures to
the people the right to change their charter,
despite the uaneuvering Of the Common
Council End of1ce-holders-
Another amendment is ono intended to
secure responsibility in ofHce-holders. It
authorizes the Mayor to remove any appoint
ed officer Of the city whenever he is satisfied
that the interests of the city demand such re-
1noval. It docs not, however, give this power
absolutely. The Mayor is required to report |
the removal to the Common Council, and If |
two-thirds Of that body disepprove the action |
Of tbs Mayor the officer shall bs restored. |
This authority is absolutely necessary to any |
system Of responsible government. When |
even cny subordinate in Office is ut liberty to |
set up government Of his own, and act |
there oan be no responsible government 4 |
knowledge that any such officer may be re-
moved for CAUSE can havs nothing but 9 |
wholesome effect.
Another amendment proposed makes 1t op-
tional for the voters to adopt Common
Council consisting Of ons Eoard as nov, Or |
Of two Boards, as is the case in all large cities.
In case the system Of two Boards be adopted, |
then the second Board shall consist Of |
thirteen members, to be elected by the city at |
large,-en to b. elected the first year, and !
six or seven every two years thereafter. For |
the election Of these Councilmen, voters ere |
allo=ed to cumnlate their votes, or distribute !
thsm, at their pleasure. The certainty OF g |
discrimination against weak or improper men
viii farce nominating conventions to select
the best class of men for this Board, and it |
will, or ought to, require strong evidence Of |
ability aad integrity to enabla any man to
get majority Of the vhola vota Of the
Gig for that Office. IN ike manner,
ths other Board shall be elected in districts,
each district to b entitled TO elect sir Alder |
men, and tho voters to bs authorized to GU |
malate thar votea for candidates. The two |
Boarda will z:l Is do the two Houses Of the |
legtalasora, each having \ negative On the |
aston Of the othsr. Al legislation must |
aAsa ai& eonturrses3e st sSth branches, II |