Los Angeles daily herald., 1876-02-17

p0SeQ ClCy Cnafter was SuDnllleu, anu
after short discussion, received the
approval of that body. We have not
been informed very definitely as to
the authorship of the important docu-
ment, but understand that it is a
joint production of the Mayor, City
Attorney and some other officials. AS
to the merits of the proposed change
we are not yet prepared to express an
opinion. We believe however that the
matter should be thoroughly discussed
by our citizens before any definite ac-
ton is taken that will transform the
document into our city laws.
The matter of the city Indebtedness
alone is subject to most important
changes, restrictions being removed
so that possible debt may be accu-
mulated amounting to more than
double its present figure. In other
words, the limit is raised $4,000 We
do not believe that the people of Los
Angeles will submit to the imposition
of so great burden upon their shoul-
ders, at the discretion Of the Common
Council, unless they are shown some
good cause for it. The recommends
tions of Mayor Beaudry in his annual
message, are extensively embodied in
the document. Following the action
of the Common Council, it is designed
to forward the Charter to the Legisla-
lature for its approval. Without enter
ing into tedious details, the subject
may be fairly considered from the fol-
lowing summary, for which we are in
debted to Mr.. Hutton, City Attorney ::
l. The corporate name of the city
is to changed from "The Mayor and
Common Council of the City of Los
Ange to "The City of Los An.
geles.n
2. The Common Council is hereafter
to be called "The Council.u
= 3. The Mayor and Council will
have power to create the office of Su-
perintendent of Streets.
The Council will have the right to
delegate to such officer when office is
created such power as it may see fit in
regard to contracting for repairs Of
streets when amount does not exceed
5000.
4. In addition to the present powers
of Council as to opening of streets, etc.,
it is proposed to confer the right to
vacate streets. 1t cannot be contended
that the Council can do this to the in
jury of property abutting upon the
street without providing compensation
therefor.
5. A court called the City Court is to
be established and the judicial powers
of the Mayor is to be transferred to that
Court. TO remove the Judge as far as
possible from electiOneering schemes
he is to be appointed by the Council
every two years. Salary 1,SO0 per
annum. He is authorized to employ
clerk but must pay him out of his
own salary. His salary is not to be
increased or diminished during his
term. His jurisdiction to be over all
offences against the ordinances of the
city, and in civil matters and other
public offences he has the same juris.
diction as Justice of the Peace or Just
ice Courts.
6. The duties of City Attorney are
made to include the prosecution of all
cases before the City Court for in
fringement of ordinances and appeals
of the same.
7. The Marshal is to remain in
charge of his office until some time
afterthe next municipal election when
a Chief of Police is to be appointed by
the Council.
s. No change is made in the duties
of the ASSESSOR except provision au-
tdorizing him to appoint deputies.
8. No important change Is made in
the duties of the City Treasurer, ex-
cept to require him to make returns
whenever called upon by the Council.
The Finance Committee or any spe-
cial committee of the Council, is au-
thorized to examine his books at any
time, and also to inspect and count all
monies in his hands or on deposit.
10. Under the head of proceedings
to condemn land for public streets and
other public uses, several changes
have been made which expedite pro-
ceedings in Court. The assessment is
also made before the condemnation
thus making one item balance or stand
as an offset against another. Corner
property or other property situated
upon any cross street, and within 100
feet of the line of the street, to be i'm
proved or opened, is also to be assess
ed pro rata according to frontage upon
cross street.
IL. By anotherprovision the city is re-
quired to bear all incidental expenses
connected with street improvements,
such as surveys. maps, costs OF court,
Commissioners fees, etc., to be paid
from cash fund.
II. Substantially the same changes
have been made in the laws govern
ing street grading and improvement.
The long and tedious procedure as 1t
now exists is considerably abridged by
dispensing with publication of assess
ments and allowing contracts to be
made before assessments. The costs
of grading and improving intersec-
ions of streets is to be borne by the
city.
The Indebtedness of the city which
is now limited at 100000, the new
charter now extends to 100000.
H. A Board of Police Commission
ers is created, consisting Of the Mayor,
Chief of Police and Judge of the City
Court. They are to have charge of po-
lice matters, appointing, regulating
and dischargng officers; salaries to be
fixed by the Council.
Some other slig hit changes have been
made, bnt they relate to minor points
such as forms of procedure in public
work, etc., and it is not necessary to
note them.
The Tenton & Ware troupe give