, 1875-04-26

LIE FG" 0E9Et4A9l2s
The Chicago Times approves tho charter Of
1879 because it elevates tho Common Coun-
Gil to tho character aud political importance
Of Legislature" Wo think this one Of tho
strongest REASONS why the adoption of sucl,
n chartor should DO considered a public
calamity.
It mikes tho Common Council the absolute
Government OF tho city. It clothes the
string" Of that body with supreme authority
over nil branches Of tho City Government it
confors on that body unlimited power to fix
tho taxable value Of nl1 property, aud to levy
on tho same rnte Of tnzation rs higl. ns three
per cent. It rcpeals oil existing laws for tho
government Of Chicago. Thcrd arc but four
officers to be elected by tho pcople,-the
3tnyor, City Clerk, City Attorney, mud Treas
urcr. All others are to be appointed and
paid, as the Common Council may direct
It authorizes the Common Council to pro-
vids at its discretion tho number Of officers
Of nil grades for tho city. It authorizes tho
Council to fix their terms md their salarias,
and on those points there is no Limitation.
The Mayor Is reduced onco moro to tho
he may remove, hut tho appointment and tho
removal have no force until the Council give
their consent. Whoever, therefore, major
ity Of tho Council may fayor for an office, or
whoever will pay the most for their approval,
can obtain tho Office, They can coeroo the
Mayor into appointing tho man Of the cau-
cuY' choice.
All oh That +,,4f,n In
Legislative body Of any Government unites
within ita powers tho right Of appointment,
the distribution Of patronage, tho fixing Of
salaries, tho creation or abolition OF Offices,
the power Of taxing and Of making expandi-
turcs; in othor words, combines the legisla-
tive and executive authority, tho Legislative
body becomes corrupt. It Is impossible for
1t to be otherwise. For this reason, nearly
every Stato in tho Union has had 10 amend
It's Constitution by absolute prohibitions upon
tho Legislature exercising the power Of ap-
pointment or the distribution Of any patron
age. The entire corruptions Of Municipal
Government in this country have been duo
to tho unressrained powers Of tho Common
Council
We know what Common Councils arc in
Chicago. Wo know that mon aeek the place
Of Aldermen, and, without salaries, got rich
in the public service. How 2 II tho Com.
mon Council under tho present charsar has
beon largely dishonest and corrupt, what will
it DO when 1t Gun expond $40, ,ooo, 900 ycar
when it can abolish and create I'LL the city
oiaces (except FOUR at pleasure when 1t cor
fix salaries, vote on increase Of the number o,
employees, when 1t exercises within this city
creator puwer than tho Legislature can de
In the stata T.? Tho Legislature at Illinois /.
restrained by tho Constitution tho Commo1
Council under the charter of 1879 is ro
Btrained by nothing; 1t is q Inv and a cour
unto itself, clothed with unlimited discretion
anl power.
Instead Of getting q responsible dovern
ment, this charter abolishes tile last yestiga O
responsibility. Instead Of ACQUIRING rcspecsa
bio executive authority, 1t transfers all oxecu
tive control to the Common Council. Instea
| of a Government of checks aud balances, W
Layo Legislative daspotiAm, restrained onl.
by its own discretion. II seats In the Co.u
mon Council have heretofore been sought 70
tho plumber and profit which might DO Of
tanned, tho desire for seats In tho uew Cour
Gil will ba intensitied. The chance
for corrupt gains, for dishonest prat
tees, for swoeping robboriea Of th
public, have been. increased thousand
fold. Seats in the Common Council unde
| the new char.or will be, to tho class Of the
who will seek than, worth more than an
other elcctiyA Office IN the city. The publ