The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-01-05
CHARTER MAKING.
Another Meeting by the Legislative
Committee.
The Question of Enlarging the City's
Limits Discussed-The Committee
Favors Salaried Trustees.


mittee need not try to define the powers
of the Board of Trustees, because they
were already defined in the general law
He would not object. however, to having
any special powers they should have
stated in the charter, but he thought
general provision should be inserted.
c. L. White disagreed with Mr. Arm
strong. He thought the powers should
be enumerated and defined. The general
law was the limit within which the
powers of the Trustees must be defined.
The question as TO whether or not
new charter would change the status of
the city, or, in other words. make it
new city, was brought up, and the COM
mittee were of the unanimous opinion
that another charter would not thus affect
the city.
The Secretary was directed to read such
portion of the report as the committee at
It's last meeting adopted. When he came
to the part where the limits and the
squares in the city are defined discus
sion commenced.
The gentlemen present did not know
the reason or by what process the limits
had been reduced. Neither was 1t very
plain how ex-senator Fred Cox got the
Legislature to declare that streets could
not be opened in about ten blocks of his
land in the southeastern portion of the
city. Mrs. GregOry's property seemed to
be similarly exempted.
Mr.. White did not think it was just for
the Legislature to lessen the size of the
city, when the debt was so great. The
burden of taxation was thus thrown on
the shoulders Of the few, and was conse-
quently heavier.
Some little surprise was occasioned at
ant Nv Ind
that the city could enlarge its limits in
any direction by vote OF the people of
the city. The Legislatures ratification,
however, would have to be obtained.
The question as to whether or not it
would be wise or polite to re-establish
the old limits of the city on the north, as
it was first surveyed, was discussed.
Messrs. White, Smith and LaRue were
not in favor of establishing the old limit
on the north the channel Of the American
River.
Mr.. Green thought the limits of the city
should be as they had been first mapped
out.
Mr.. LaRue suggested that the limits as
defined in the present charter be pre-
served.
Mr.. Armstrong was not ready to vote
on the question, and this portion of the
report was passed.
The section of the report relating to the
division of the city into wards and elect
ing Trustee for each ward by vote of
the entire city, was read.
Judge Armstrong was opposed to this
! section. He thought they should either
be nominated from the city at large, or
else be elected by the people residing in
each ward.
Mr.. Green said the Trustees of San
Francisco were elected from wards by a
vote at large, and it was a satisfactory
way.
Judge Armstrong held that this was
the reason why Chris Buckley obtained
his power in the metropolis. When a
Trustee could not be elected down there
from his own ward Buckley would sue
! coed in making him winner by COM
biningEmajOrities in other wards.
Mr.. LaRue thought that One-half of the
board should be elected at large and the
remainder from each of the wards.
Mr.. White said there was reason for
selecting Trustees from different sections
of the city. The several wards would
then have representation in the board
and the interests of the different wards
would be taken care off.
This section was also passed, as there
was difference of opinion.
The committee was unanimous in favor
of a section to the effect that the Mayor,
by appointment, may fill any vacancies
in the board, and the person thus APP
pointed will serve until the next munich
pal election, at which time his successor
will be elected.
AT the suggestion of Mr.. LaRue. six
instead of five las first presented mem
bers of the board shall constitute a
quorum.
The section allowing salary of $3.50
and imposing fine of 50 on each Trustee
for non attendance at regular meeting
was approved, although Judge Arm
strong was IN favor Of making the salary
greater
A section was approved, giving the
President of the board the power to issue
subpenas, and giving the board the power
to punish persons for contempt, by fine
or imprisonment.
The section stating that every ordinance
shall express but one subject, and that
the entire gist of the subject matter shall
be in the title, was approved. This sec
ton also provided that such provisions of
an ordinance as were not expressed in
the title were null and void.
1t was decided to prefix to one of the
sections the words, mo ordinance shall
be passed except by bill" This clause
was inserted 50 as to give the name of
''bill'' to all proposed ordinances which
were introduced.
1t was decided to make it obligatory on
the part of the Board of City Trustees to
have the new ordinances adopted printed
in book or pamphlet form every year.
instead of five years. Every five years
the charter and all of the ordinances in
force will be published in book form.
A section prohibiting the board from
making contracts for a longer period than
one year was about to be approved, when
c. K. McClatchy suggested that the city
might want to erect public building
some time which would require three
years time to complete.
The suggestion was deemed very peril
nent, and the committee thought it would
be better to enumerate the contracts
which should be let for not more than a
years duration.
The section was passed, Judge Arm
strong admitting that he was somewhat
ratified"
The members of the committee were of
the sense that all contracts should be ap-
proved by the Mayor, and that the Street
Commissioner and Superintendent of the
Water Works have no power to make
contracts.
At l0:l5 P. NJ. the meeting adjourned,
without having revised all of the peport
made up at last Thursdays meeting.
Another meeting will be held this even
ing.
Had Hare-Chase.
At the Pioneer Coursing Clubs meet
ing on Sunday, held at the burlington