The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-02-21
THE PROPOSED CHARTER.

We have not had time ID examine very
critically The draft Vt d new charter for this
city presented on Tuesday 10 the Legislature
by a Joint committee of the House and
Renate, but eut first impression Of II is favor
able The object Of the committee in de
vlsna the scheme Of government which they
have presented was, as stated by themselves.
to reach, as near as possible, q proper balance
between the just measure III representation
and correct standard Of administrative
efficiency They did not ti,sh II espedient tU
frame at, entirely new charter, Because OF the
confusion and opposition which might be
created Ivy an attempt AT a Legislative deter
animation Of intricate questions pprdina III
the courts. but aimed principally ut making
'auch economies and creating such checks as
would enable the city to pass through the
period Of uncertainty with az much relief as
possible, leaving an entire revision Of her
charter to subsequent Legislative action"
The bill provides that the government If the
city and tile administration Of it's affairs shall
te vested In n Common Council to be COM
posed of mayor, a board Of four admins
aatots Finance, Public Accounts, Improve
ptpyements, and Commerce and Public Build
for the Ti,Ht three fo, the Second three for
bl,e Third. two for the Fourth. aud one each
mn The Fifth Sixth and Seventh Districts,
who are 10 serve without compensation
We are inclined to think Chat This schene
does preserve All even balance between
popular representation and administrative
efficiency. while at The same time II secures
economy BY the abolition Of three admins
sratolahips and The various minor offices con
nected with them And another advantage,
besides popular representation, presented by
the creation Of Board Of Aldermen, will
be found In the general discussion which
will be provoked III body Of fifteen men
on all measures Of public interest, and The
keen scrutiny 10 which all such measures
will be subjected
There s one provision IN this proposed
charter that strikes ,,s "A being very unwise
and based upon a mistaken theory. We refer
so that section which provides that no right
Of way shall be granted TO any railroad, etc,
without the unanimous consent Of The Board
Of Administrators aud the Board Of Alder
men. We may auggest 90 the committee that
II argues something Of utopian simplicity
to suppose that two such boards, one com
posed of four men and Tho other OF fifteen,
can be expected TO agree with entire uuanimity
upon any measure Of public policy. In Fact,
II is very seldom that ,p,animity is secured in
matters affecting various intelrsts except by
corrupt means,
However, II was moi our purpose 10 enter
ppon a detailed criticism OF ths proposed
charter No doubt II will be fully discussed
in the General Assembly and its inertia and
defects satisfactorily ahown. We content our
selves with the statement that a euiaorv OK |
animation Of the hill has left with us a favora
bile impression Of the reforms 1t proposes
The debates In the uouse and Senate will
cnahe uR TO reach definite conclusion as to
the wisdom and prppriety of lis several
scatulpa