Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-04-02

= bill Of possible great Importance to them,
Our evening contemporary, now that the
Supreme Court has destroyed one OF its
illusions, and now that error ia the bill Il
beyond correction, has suddenly discovered
the Act, and advises this city to avail of it,
and accept the charter profered In it.
Weeks ago the RECORD UNION stated that
there were moro good than evil features IN |
the bill, and expressed the belief that II
would be an act of wisdom, not only to Sc
cure the elimination Of the bad features,
but when that should be accomplished, to
adopt it in lieu of the present charter.
The people did not manifest great degree
Of interest in the matter, and the bill went
through uncorrected. Nevertheless, we
are impressed with the belief that it would
be wise to come under the operations of the
Act. The chief objection to it is the pro-
vision for Board of unsalaried Aldermen.
That system brings into local mat
tiers the evils OF political rewards
and punishments, and erects wards
into independent political wrestling
grounds, with broader opportunities for
political bosses, and makes official patron
age matter of bargain and sale. The
remedy for that is only to be found in the
selection of men for Aldermen who can
rise superior to ward politics, and serve
the city without the fear or favor of the
bosses. The good features of the new
charter are that it permits the city to
legislate for itself it brings the govern
ment closer to the people it renders Acts
special in nature wholly unnecessary it
vests the local government with ample
power in educational, police, internal i'm
provement and sanitary matters ; it de-
mands the consent of the people to all ex-
traordinary expenditures it gives the
broadcast possible liberty to the city to con-
duct all matters of interest to the munich
pality, according to self.adopted methods.
Il is an error, however, to state that it
limits taxation to one per cent. 1t makes
the ordinary tax one per cent, provides for
other special taxes, and permits the people
by two-third vote to assess themselves in
any further sums they see fit. 1t lisa brief
charter, clear aud unambiguous, and pro-
vides for more economical system than
we now enjoy, inasmuch as it decreases the
amount of municipal machinery and as
many of the offices are not forced upon us;
nor are stated salaries declared in all cases,
but these matters are left to the local
legislature, which the people must
control, or take the consequences.
It will be well to take timely steps to as
certain the wishes of the voters regarding
the new charter, as it is required that one.
fifth of the electors must petition for its
submission to vote before that can be
done. In the meantime it will be wise to
examine into the question of the situation
the city will occupy-in case it accepts the
new form of government-with reference
to present obligations, and whether or not
the change will embarrass us, or clear the
path leading to financial independence. In
no event can a vote be had before next
March, but it is not too long an interval in
which to consider so important change as
that proposed.