Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-01-27
IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION.
Arranging to Receive the National Horti


called to order by Chairman G. L. Sim
mons, who stated that the first bushes:
would be to hear report from the Com.
mittee on the Exhibition Building. Col
Hamilton, Chairman of the committee
made verbal report. The cost of the pro.
posed building, he said, would be about
81 800. n. D. Goodell had furnished 8
drawing of building that would occupy the
ground, give ample shelf and wall room
and leave a large clear space in the center
The building will be about $50 feet long
by 60 wide The committee was author.
lied to advertise for bids.
E. S. Parker, of the same committee, said
the exhibition fund now amounted to S.
500
William Beckman, member of the
Executive Committee, rendered his resig-
nation, which was accepted, and Robert L
Devlin was elected to fill the vacancy.
2. E. Plat, who had just returned from
the horticultural exhibition at San Jose, re.
ported it to be a grand success, and that
the Sacramento county exhibit had carried
OFF the honors of second prize, Stanislaus
county being awarded the first prize. Mr.
Plat stated that the exhibit of this county
occupied table six feet wide and thirty
long, and was filled with oranges, lemons
other citrus fruits and a general display OF
the products of Sacramento county The
reading matter displayed by the Sacramento
county exhibitors was eagerly sought for
was widely distributed, and much benefit
will result to this county therefrom.
The committee in charge of the display
had extended the horticulturists an invita-
ton to visit this city, which was accepted
Mr. Plat stated that the guests will arrive
here at o'clock Tuesday, January 31st,
and depart the following morning at 40
a general discussion followed as to the
method Of entertaining the visitors some
favored banquet some public reception
by the Governor and State officials at the
Capitol; others proposed an evenings en-
tertainment at the theater OF all the
plans suggested, none were adopted, and to
arrange the matter as speedily as possible a
Committee Of Arrangements, consisting of
E. ]. Gregory, Chairman, G. L. Simmons
Robert Devlin, E. S. Parker, F. +. Tebbets
E. X. Alsip, J. o. Coleman, d. A Lindley
and Add c. Hinkson, was appointed tc
make the necessary arrangements for the
entertainment of the visitors.
1t is proposed to have the Capitol build.
ing illuminated for the occasion. In the
Assembly chamber an informal reception
will be held. A band of music will prob.
ably be in attendance, and a light lunch
will be served. For the purpose of perfect.
ing arrangements, the committee will meet
IN the office of the Secretary of State to-day
at IL A. NJ
The report of the Committee on CITY
Government, given below, was next re.
ceived, read and placed on file:
SACRAMENTO, January &c, 1855.
Your Committee on Officers and the manner
IN which they perform their duties, do not
wish at the present time ct lpnSt n iDdulora in
crltlclSlng the acts of individual officials but
submit the following suggestions as preliminary
to the recommendation we make:
The last session of the Legislature proposed
an amendment to the Consttution of the State,
by which any city containing population of
more than ten thousand and not more than
one hundred thousand inhabitants may frame
charter for its government consistent with
and subject to the Constitution and laws of the
State, by causing Board of fifteen free-holders
10 be elected at any general or special election,
whose duty it shall be within ninety DAYS
thereafter to prepare and propose a charter for
the city. Such proposed charter is thereafter,
alter certain publication, to be submitted to
vote of the electors of the city and if il
receives a majority vote, it is thereafter to be
submitted to the Legislature for approval or
rejection as a whole, without power of amend
ment. II approved by majority vote of each
House, 1t then becomes the charter of the city
and super3edes the existing charter. In sub
hitting such proposed chatter TO vote any al.
tentative proposition or article may be pre-
.,
voted on separately without prejudice to others.
This constitutional amendment was adopted
ut a special election called for that purpose
and is now a part of the fundamental laws OF
the state and several cities of the State are al
ready taking steps to avail themselves of its pro-
visions.
While it would not be wisdom to hastily
and without reason discard an old and tried
system and adopt new and experimental one,
we desire to suggest that if it is desirable that
any .change should be made in the
form OF the city government the present ap-
pears to be a propitious time to act under the
provisions of this constitutional amendment
The freeholders who are to prepare and submit
anew charter can be elected at the coming
March election. The charter proposed by them
can be submitted to vote at q special election
called for that purpose some time during the
summer. 1t should be submitted at a special
election, that the vote upon its adoption or re-
lection may be uninfuenced by anything other
than the fair consideration of its provisions If
ratified by majority VOTE it could then be sub
United to the Legislature which meets in Janu-
airy, 1SS9. IL action IS not taken at this time.
nothing can be done that will result in amend
ment of our municipal system prior to 1891.
The main question, however, is whether or
not II is desirable that any amendment should
be made in our present system OF municipal
government. Under the old Constitution special
legislation was permitted and if any change in
the Charter was desired the Legislature could
pass an Act for that purpose The present Con.
stitution, however, contains strict inhibitions
against special legislation, and no change can
be made in the City Charter, except by the peo-
pie themselves in conformity with the constitu.
tional amendment already referred to.
Beyond question, many cities in the United
states have systems of management of NUM-
cipal affairs very much superior in their prac
teal operation to that provided by the Charter
of the city of Sacramento. Many particulars in
which improvement eau be made will suggest
themselves to every thoughtful citizen. We dc
not think it proper for us to attempt tc
specify in this report however, the par
| iculars in which it would be of ad.
vantage to amend our present Charter
The result of our consideration of the subject is
belief on our part that Sacramento city is en-
titled TO have and can have a better municipal
| government than is possible under our presen,
charter That system can be devised whick
VIII result Ill better and more business-like
management of the property and interests o.
the city, and closer collection of her revenues
at less expense, than is possible under the char
ter which now governs us.
We therefore recommend to this Association
! that a resolution be adopted requesting the
Board of Trustees of the city of Sacramento &c
order the election of fifteen free-holders at the
| coming city ELECTION, whose duty it shall be te
prepare and propose a new charter for the gov
eminent of the city.
Signed by Clinton L. White, P. H. Russell C
a. york, J. NJ. Morrison. J. Griesel, r. E Cog
ings, JohnJ. Trarbach, Chas Robin, G. Politz
Committee.
Senator Booth said he was not in favor
of new charter for the city at the presen
| time A new charter would abolish thu
Funded Debt Commission, which was anC
| is the only salvation of the city during tn,
| bond and coupon litigation, past and pres
ent The Senator remarked that the mos
all-absorbing subject that the citizens o
this city should thoroughly understand
and investigate was the bend question
| There is no way. the speaker remarked
possible to pay off the present deb
during the present generation excep
| through the functions of the Funded Deb
| Commission. There is case now before
| the Supreme Court concerning the city
bonds which, if decided favorably for the
city, will reduce the value of the bond.
from premium to fifty cents on the dollar
! The case referred to is a suit to determine
if bonds and coupons bear interest aftel
maturity.
Messrs. Devlin, Tebbets, White, Booth
| Hinkson, Miller and others spoke to tn,
question, for or against the proposition o
preparing a new city charter, and tn,
| liability of the Commission being abolished
by the new instrument. On motion of Mr.
! Wilson, the matter was postponed indefi,
nitely for further consideration.
STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.-The an
nual meeting of the State Agriculture
Society will be held at the Exposition
building commencing at 10 A NJ. to-day
The successor of P. A. Finigan, Mr.