The record-union., 1891-10-15
THE FREEHOLDERS - HOW THEY
MUST BE NOMINATED.

mento must choose fifteen freeholders to
frame new charter
Under the reform ballot law the Trus-
tees cannot nominate them. Those whose
names are placed upon the official ballot
must be selected as the law directs; the
most that the Trustees can do is to sug-
gest names. They ought not do even
that. They are not called upon by the
law, the people, or the proprieties to act
in the premises.
There are but two methods by which
names can be placed upon the official
ballot: First, by nomination by political
conventions; second, by petition or in
dorsement In the first case. the conven-
ton nominating must represent party
that at the last election polled at least
three per cent. of the entire vote of the
city. When such a party nominates 1T
must at least thirty days prior to the cleo
ton certify to the City Auditor the names
and residence of the candidates, and the
certificate must be sworn to by the Chair
man or Secretary. A political commit
tee, it will be observed, cannot nominate.
Section 1852
The second method Of nominating is by
petition. Section 1lSS.) That is, electors
In number equal to five per cent. of the
vote at the last election about $50 electors
In this case) must sign a certificate nom
mating the fifteen freeholders. but the
signatures need not all be upon one
paper. But no voter can sign for two or
more candidates for the same office. That
is to say, if one signs for one list of can
dldates for charter freeholders, he cannot
be recognized upon second or opposing
list.
The certificate thus signed must be
sworn to by one of the signers. It must
then be filed with the City Auditor at
least thirty days prior to the election. in
this case by November 9th, just three
weeks hence. In these two cases only
can the Auditor recognize nominations
and place the names upon the official
ticket, and no other than the official
ticket can be used at the election.
Now there is no political question in
volved in the making of new charter.
or In determining, after the freeholders
are chosen, if they shall go on and frame
charter. 1t is not necessary, therefore.
that the Republican or Democratic con-
ventions shall be called to make these
nominations. To do so would, indeed.
be the hight of impropriety. The nomi-
nees should be chosen regardless of
party, and therefore the signature sys-
tenn is the only one left, and for this
purpose it is an excellent one. Let there
be one or more citizens meetings held to
nominate one or more lists from which
voters can choose. To each of these lists
the signatures of $50 electors can be easily
secured and the necessary certificate
filed.
The Board of Freeholders ought to be
made up of representative citizens who
are not seeking offices; men of intelIi-
gence; men familiar with the city needs:
men acquainted with the city's history:
of good business ability; who have not
axes to grind or political paddles to
Yield; men who are neither the enemies
nor he hot champions of the Funded
Debt Commission; citizens who can as
sumo judicial attitudes and hear and de-
eide with cafTHess and without preju-
dice.
Of course ward politicians who want a
Board of Aldermen, if-order to make fat
municipal pickings; who have hopes of
controlling the fire and the police depart
ments; who.are determined to keep their
grips upon the city's throat despite fhe
reform ballot law, win do their best to
secure control of the Board of Freehold
ers. If they succeed, it were better fai
that the scheme of a new charter had
never been projected.
Fears are expressed that competent,
fearless mel will not serve upon the
board; that they will not give the time
necessary Il its duties. But we have
more confidence in the public spirit OF
our peoples Every citizen owes to the
town in which he lives something of self
sacrifice, ana when representative body
of his felloSs chooses him to perform q
duty such as this he cannot refuse their
request with any sort Of grace.
It will not be very difficult task tc
select fifteen freeholdcrs, who have beer
such for fte years last past. capable oi
drafting "a new charter precisely as is
needed. UFon that board there ought tc
be represented capital, labor, mechanic
arts. commerce, law, medicine. engineer.
ing and educational interests. From
these departments of intelligence mer
should be taken who by their life's course
have shown interest in our city affairs
and have proved it by their works, theil
sincerity in coming forward to aid in dis
charge of public obligations. They ough
to be men who read and think and OBJ
serve, having some knowledge of wha
hos haen exnerienced in solving tn