The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1891-12-31


bers about suggesting plans for a charter,
but he was going to propose one which
he knew was the best, because it was the
only one that would be submitted-at
least at this meeting. He believed the
board ought TO meet every evening after
the first of the year, that general dis
cussion might be indulged in as to what
form the charter should take. He then
read the following, which was listened TO
with interest:
Mr.. WHITES SKELETON CHARTER
First-Provide such a system as will
distinctly separate the legislative, eXecu-
tive and judicial departments of the city
government.
Second-Make the legislative depart
ment consist of Board of Trustees, from
five to fifteen in number, selected as to
residence from specified wards or dis
tricts, but voted for by all electors: the
presiding officer to be one OF their own
number; term of office, four years; one
half the number to be elected each two
years. The Trustees not TO have the ap-
polntment of subordinate officials or en-
pIoyes Except their own clerk, but no
appointment to be valid without confir-
nation by the Trustees. The Trustees to
have power to enact all bylaws and ordi-
nances not repugnant to the Constitution
or general Iaws-Subject TO veto by the
Mayor, with power, however, to pass the
ordinance over the veto by two-thirds
vote. To also have power to require re-
ports from all officials, 10 audit bills, fix
the rate Of taxation and act as Board of
Equalization and apportion funds. Also
to enter into contracts on behalf Of the
city, subject to veto of the Mayor when
the contract calls for payment out of the
treasury of more than 500. 10 also have
power to try and remove from office ap-
pointees against whom charges have
been preferred and by unanimous vote
TO remove any appointee at any time
when III their judgment the public SER
vice Will be improved thereby. The
Office of Trustee to be an honorary one,
or at most the compensation TO be but
nominal.
Third-The elective executive officers
to consist Of Il Mayor, Auditor and AS
SCISSOR, Tax Collector and Treasurer.
All other executive officials or en-
ployes, except policemen and fremen,
to pe appointed by the Mayor. subject
Employees of the Police and Fire De-
partments, including Chief Of Police and
Chief Engineer, to be appointed by q
commission Of five members. appointed
by the Mayor and confirmed by the
Trustees.
The Mayor to be chief executive officer
OF the city, and to he required to devote
official duties. To hold Office for two
years.
The Tax Collector to act also as License
Collector and collector of water rates
and harbor dues.
The Assessor TO be eX officio Auditor.
Fourth-The Board Of Trustees TO have
power to regulate from time to time COM
pensaion of officers Except of them
selves within certain maximum limits
fixed by the charter
titth-Delinquent taxes to be collected
by summary sale OF property by the Tax
Collector.
SiXth-The Funded Debt Commission
not to have power TO exact the levy of
any tax for its use. Otherwise the Commits
sion to be continued with all the powers it
now has, except that the period Of prCb b.
able usefulness OF the Commission shall
be estimated, and date shall be named
IN the charter at which time the Commits
sion shall surrender to the city all bonds.
coupons, moneys and property of every
kind held by it, and it shall then cease to
exist.
Seven h-AIl street improvements to
be mace under the genera s rect law
e. ghtn-The schools to be under the
management of a Board Of Directors
elected by tie people and serving with
out compensation. The Superintendent
of Schools to be a practical, experienced
educator, appointed by the Board of Di-
rectors.
Ninth-Elections to occur but once in
two years.
Tenth-After the payment of the city
debt, water TO be furnished to consumers
at cost.
THE SKELETON OVERHAULED.
Mr.. Devlin argued at length that there
should be no discussion until the reports
OF the various committees should be re-
ceiyed, while Mr.. White contended that
the best thing TO do would be to provoke
a general discussion of the matter before
the committees started to work.
a call of the question on the motion to
meet on Thursdays, at 1880 O'Clock in the
evening until further notice, brought the
discussion to a close, and it was unani-
mously resolved that the board meet once
a week hereafter.
Mr.. Weinstock was inclined to favor
Mr.. Whites views, and in order to bring
about a discussion be offered an informal
resolution to the effect that it was the
sense of the Freeholders that the city be
governed by Board of Trustees consist
ing of fifteen members, to be voted for at
large, and by Mayor, who shall be
elected by the people.
Mr.. Hall said the number of Trustees
named by Mr.. Weinstock was too large
The Board of Trustees, in his opinion.
should consist of nine mem bers, and
there should be Mayor. The city should
be divided into nine wards, and one
Trustee should be elected from each
ward, and voted for at large by the city.
One of these Trustees should be Chair
man Of the board.
Mr.. Devlin also thought fifteen was too
large number When q body is small.
he said, you get responsibility; and then,
again, when you get responsibility you
sometimes get nsurpation Of power A
man would appreciate q responsibility
more if he served on a smaller body.
Mr.. Devlin believed happy medium
could be struck and the number be made
seven or eight. He agreed with Mr..
WeinStock that they should be called
Trustees, in order, If possible, to preserve
the Funded Debt Commission.
THE OLD CHARTERS GOOD POINTS.
Mr.. Cox thought the old charter was a
pretty good one to follow. Senator Vroo-
man had told him once that if other cities
had as good charter as Sacramento they
would be better of.
Mr.. JoHNsoN's PLAN.
Mr.. Johnson favored having a Board OF
Aldermen, or Trustees, or whatever
name the Freeholders might choose to
give it. He thought from nine to eleven
Trustees would be the proper number.
selected partly from the city at large. and
partly from localities. The city could be
divided into six wards, and one Trustee
could be elected from each ward by the
voters thereof. Five could be chosen
from the city at large, irrespective of the
locality in which they resided. They mipht
be all elected for four years. and thew
could ''toss up" to find out which ones
would serve only half that time, so as to
permit Of an election every two years. By
this plan there would be experienced
men on the board continually.
sALARIED TRUSTEES.
Judge Armstrong was in favor of the
general plan suggested by Mr.. Vein
stocks resolution, but he did not agree