Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-01-24
NOT JOST NOW.
THE TINES NOT PRoPITIoUs FOR a
NEW CHARTER.
Six Freebooter Candidates Opposed to a
Charter at this Time-Their
Reasons Therefor.

In response to q call for meeting of
those citizens who had been placed innom-
ination as Freeholders to frame new city
charter there assembled at the Board of
Trade rooms last evening A. P. Cstlin, w.
A. Anderson, W. F. Knox, c. E. Grunsky,
Matt F. johnson and Adolph Hebron.
OF these gentlemen Messrs. Catlin, He'll
bron and Johnson were among the Free
holders selected by the City Trustees, and
Messrs. Anderson, Knox and Grunsky
among the number on what is known as
the Citizens ticket. Mr.. Catlin is also on
the latter. The weather was stormy, which
fact doubtless accounted for the absence of
others.
The meeting was called to order by W.
a. Anderson, who nominated Mr.. Cstlin
for Chairman, and he was unanimously
chosen to preside.
c. E Grunsky was elected Secretary.
Mr.. Catlin explained his object in call
ing the meeting. He said it was to dis
cuss the propriety of framing a new char
ter at this time for the city. When the
subject of new charter was first preached
he entertained the opinion that one was
demanded by the interests of the city,
and had so expressed himself. Since
then, however, he had given more study
to the matter, and finally came to the
conclusion that there were many consid-
erations which made il advisable to post
pone action in that direction for another
year. There is proposed amendment to
the Constitution to be presented to the
people at the next general election-and
which he had no doubt would be ratified
under which all, or nearly all, existing
objections that are now urged to a new
charter would be removed. If this amend
ment should be adopted the city would
then be in a condition to proceed, as it
was now proposed to proceed TO frame
new charter.
The important feature of this amend
ment, he said, was that it so amends the
constitutional provision relative to the
adoption of city charters that the word
special will be stricken out, so that no
laWs-special or general-can be allowed
to conflict with the terms Of charters that
may be enacted. The Supreme Court has
held that the Vrooman Act was a general
law, and therefore not affected by charters
adopted after its passage. Under the pro-
posed new amendment we would get rid of
that law and others of general character
that might possess Objectionable features.
The city could thus have street law of
her own, suited to her special needs. These
and similar considerations had caused him
to think it advisable for Sacramento to
wait another year before adopting a new
charter.
Mr.. Johnson-"And year hence we will
be better able to determine Just where we
stand as to population"
Mr.. Catlin-"Yes, we now think we have
about 10000 population, but we do not
know just what it is, as there has been no
census taken for ten years."
Mr.. Knox said he quite agreed with
Mr.. Catlin, that the framing of a
new charter should be postponed for
another year. He was satisfied that, for
several reasons, a new charter would now
be defeated. 1t would be waste of money,
he believed. TO hold an election, as it
would cost perhaps SIS. 900 or $4,000. The
proper thing 10 do, he thought, would be
for the City Board of Trustees to recall its
order for the election.
Mr.. Anderson-'I move, Mr.. Chairman,
that as the sense of this meeting, the City
Trustees be requested to recall the order
and to wait another year before calling the
election"
Mr.. Hebron seconded the motion.
Mr.. Johnson said he fully conceded with
WHAT IdO DCcn Sdiu lue dQNlSd-
bilitg of postponing the election for another
year. He had that morning notified the
Trustees of his declination to serve on the
Board of Freeholders. His chief reason
was what he believed to be the danger that
threatened the Funded Debt Commission
should new charter be adopted. With
all due respect for the opinions of Mr.. Cat
lin and others who held differently on this
point, he still feared that the good work of
that Commission would be nullifed by the
adoption of new charter at this sine. A
new Commission could, of course, be ap-
pointed, but he did not believe the present
one could hold the moneys and bonds &C.
quired by it, but they would have to be
passed over into the hands of the city and
the bonds cancelled. Under the constltu-
tonal amendment to be submitted to the
people next fall all these obstacles would
be removed, and if the amendment should
be adopted our people could go ahead and
enact local laws to suit themselves.
Mr.. Hebron thought the city could work
along one year more under the present
charter. A new one now, he was certain,
would be defeated.
Mr.. Anderson's motion was then adopted
unanimously.
On motion of Mr.. Johnson, Secretary
Grunsky was instructed to formally notify
the City Trustees of the action taken, and
the meeting then adjourned