Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-01-19
4 REV CITY CHARTER.

4 REV CITY CHATTER.
AS the date Of the city election is APP
proaching the question presents itself of
the wisdom of choosing a Board of Free
holders to report for adoption or rejection
by the people of new city charter, to be
voted on at & special election. In several
respects Sacramento has outgrown her
present municipal robes. There are de-
veloped errors in our form of local gov
eminent that need correction, and the only
effective way to do it is by reformation of
the city charter. The Constitution has
wisely conferred upon the people of cities
of more than 10000 population the right
to frame their own charters, and VIC should
second this endeavor to bring government
closer to the people The question as to
what changes should be made in our sys-
TEN is not now under consideration-that
will come up when Board of Freeholders
is chosen. The only question now is,
Shall we make the attempt to frame a
new charter" The RECoRD-UNIoN be-
ieves the answer should be in the af1irma-
alive, and for these reasons:
That our legislative and executive
branches of local government are now too
closely related and so interlaced as to be
inseparable.
That our system Of assessing and collect
ing is too cumbersome and expensive.
That the mingling of the power of Mag
istrate and Police Commissioner is unwie,
and opens the door to maladministration.
That the several branches of the City
Government are too much in the hands OF
independent commissions, and free from
the exercise of wise veto power.
That useless salaried offices exist, which
can and ought to be dispensed with.
That there are other city offices the sal
aries for which are out of proportion to
the services rendered.
That the discretion of the people in adj
ministering municipal affairs is too greatly
circumscribed and limited, and by reason
of which public improvements are prose
cuted only under great difficulties, and en-
ergy and public spirit are VIGOROUSLY Grip
pied
The Constitution provides that We may
choose fifteen freeholders to frame a char
ter. Within ninety days they must report,
and if they agree upon a charter it is to
be published, and within thirty days
thereafter be submitted to the people. If
majority vote for it, it is then to be sub
mitted to the Legislature. That tody has
the power to confirm or reject the charter,
but it cannot amend or change the same.
The charter framed and approved can
be amended at intervals of two years by a
vote of three-ffths of the people. In SUBJ
hitting such amendments, or when SUBJ
hitting the original charter, any alterna-
tive article or proposition may be submit
ted to the voters, and be voted upon indie
pendently of and without reference to
others most wise and far-seeing pro-
vision.
So that if we are to work any reforms in
our municipal system the March election
Of 1888 indicates the date when the work
should begin. The result can then be
submitted to the Legislature meeting Jan
uary l, 1889, if approved by the people.
If delayed beyond this year We cannot
hope for any Improvement of our present
system until late in 1891.
To choose a Board of Freeholders does
not imply absolute change. The Board
may not agree upon charter, or if it does
the people may not ratify it, or If they do
the Legislature may not confirm it.
Convinced that Board should be
chosen, the question next presenting itself
is, who should compose the Board? II
ought in the judgment of the RECORD
UNION, to be selected regardless of politics,
and to embrace, say, at least two competent
lawyers who have not occupied partisan posi-
tions in any legislation concerning finances
of the city; two Or more thoroughly quail
flied financiers; two practical, well-in-
formed mechanics; two physicians of es-
tablished professional character; two per-
sons familiar with real estate values and
improvements; competent civil engineer;
a practical educator; and three Others
qualified by experience in city affairs and
business, and known for their fidelity to the
best interests of the city.
1t should not escape attention that as
Sacramento is now situated it is impossible
to amend the present City Charter. The
Legislature made it for the city, but it is
now by the Constitution deprived of the
power to amend it, no matter how urgent
our needs MIGHT he