Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-01-17
TIE NEW CITY CHARTER.

\ council Of citizens, invited by special
resolution passed at prior meeting, held
under the auspices of the Citizens Associs-
ton, is to be held tonight to consider the
new charter proposed for this city The
people should not be in haste to change
the details of municipal government, nor
run away with the idea that political re-
forms are to be accomplished By legisla-
ton. Ii is always an easy thing To point
the way, but often difficult to move in it.
Jnquestionably there are reforms needed
in our municipal government. There arc
Offices and boards that can be dispensed
with, costs that may be reduced, and sew
eral economies that can be accomplished.
But there is very much that is COED in the
present charter-its commendable parts
are by no means few. Whatever
OF change IS suggested should be considered
il the light Of experience under our pres
ent system. There are many good features
III the new document that is to be dis
cuSsed there are few that are
Objectionable We question very much
the wisdom Of the proposed return to the
Board Of Aldermen system. Still more do
we doubt the wisdom of making NUM-
cipal legislators unsalaried officers, and
Of dilusing political chicanery by
creating eight wards. San Francisco aban-
doned the unsalaried system after many
years Of trial-as a simple matter Of econ
omv i id not pay. We believe that the
system by which heads of departments
elected by all the people constitute the
Legislative body is the better, safer and
more economic one. But it would not be
unwi>e to enlarge that body from it, pres
ent numbers The Street Superintendent,
We Believe, should be chosen by vote Of all
the people, and not by q Board Of Alder
men. The people choosing, and the Iegis-
lat.ve body having supervision over that
sficer, would appear 10 afford the best
guarantee Of honest and economic perform
ance o., duty. The came reasoning applies
10 the choosing Of the Superintendent OF
Water Works. The powers vested in the
Legislative body by the proposed bill APP
pear u he ample, and, in the main.
needed, md the several economies pro
Posed are material, and should consider
ably reduce the cost of conducting the
municipal government. Thus saving Is
proposed in the Judicial department and in
the matter of official salaries but a loop
hole Is left Tor q ring-controlled Board Of
Aldermen by permitting that body 10 ere
ale rny Offices, and FIJI and salary them rs
majority Of the Aldermen may choose.
Al authority that commands respect. in
forms Us that il can be shown that II will
he no economy to change our system of Is
seSsing for taxation, and while change
would appear to be wise, the matter should
be examined in all the lights that can be
cast upon the subject As We now look al
ii, however the plan Of assessing proposed
by the new charter VIII result in much
gazing Of the cost Of assessing.
All the details Of the new charter should
have very close attention, and not one b
hastily passed upon. The general ain
should be to simplify procedure in tn,
matter Of street repairs, levy and oollec
ton Of taxes and supply Of city neoessi
ties to bring the government as close a
possible to the people to reduce the mum
Der Of city officials and boards as low a
possible and consistent with good govern
ment; to reduce the salary and expens
accounts whenever it can be done withou
Injury to the service demanded; to give tn,
city IS broad license to legislate for itsel
Is is consistent with the Constitution an,
general laws; to close, 20 far as can b