Morning journal and courier., 1888-04-25
QUTNCY,s CITY CHARTER.


 A city charter for Quincy, Massachusetts, is on it's way through the legislature, and some of it's provisions are we'll worth atten- stion. For instance, it places the executive powers of the city in the mayor, to be exer- cised by him either personally or through the several officers and boards of the city in their departments under his general supervision and control. In case of 8 vacancy in any office to which appointment is made by the mayor he may personally perform the duties thereof, but he shall not be entitled to re- ceive any salary or pay attached thereto. He Is to have the sole power of appointment or removal relative to substantially all the mu- nicipal offices, the idea being to center the appointing power, and consequently the re- sponsibility, upon the mayor. His salary is fixed at $1 ,000 per year for the first ten years. The mayors appointments and removals are not subject to the approval of the city coun- cil, thus giving him full power to sfhave things his own way" while at the same time he can- not shift the responsibility upon any other person in case of bad appointments or wrong- full retention of corrupt or incompetent off cials in office. In case of the mayors disa- bility by reason of sickness or enforced absence he may designate by writing filed in the office of the city clerk either the city treasurer, the commissioner of public works, the city clerk or the city solicitor to act as mayor, or in case of the failure of the mayor to make such designation the first named of the above mentioned officers then performing the duties of his office shall act as mayor.
 Another interesting part of the charter is that which provides that the mayor, the chairman of the school committee, the aud itor, comptroller and several other officers shall be ex-oficio entitled to seats with the city council. The mayor shall when request ed, and all the other officers above named shall, unless excused, attend it's meetings and shall at the request of the council answer for their respective offices, committees and boards at the meetings of the council. In case the chairman of board is unable to be present at any such meeting he may designate an other member of the board to representa- at such meeting. The said officers shall be mo- tified in like manner with the councilmen of all meetings of the council. They shall have the right to speak upon all matters relating to their respective departments, but upon no other matters, and shall have no right to vote They shall give such information as may bs required by members of the council and an- swer such questions as may be asked by the members in relation to any matter, act or thing connected with their respective offices or the discharge of the duties thereof; pre- vided, however, that any such officer may refuse to answer such question if notice there of has not been given at least three days be- fore the time of the meeting in notice book to be provided for the purpose by the city clerk and kept in his office. unless the council shall vote that the question is of such urgency and of such nature thatit should be answered without notice.
 It will be interesting to see how public af- fairs are conducted in Quincy under this ar engagement. Both the provisions cited above seem calculated to work swell.