The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-02-27
DERELICF FREEHOLDERS.
No Quorum, and Consequently Moth
ing Done on the Charter.
An Informal Discussion on the I'ropo.
sition to Abolish the Office
Of City Assessor.

The Board of Freeholders had no
quorum last night. and in consequence
could do no official work on the charter
This has happened frequently of late.
After waiting for some time in the vain
hope that some Of the absentees would
put in an appearance, it was decided to
discuss some Of the provisions of the pro-
posed charter informally, and any con-
clusions they might reach could be sub
mitted to the board when a quorum was
in attendance.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS.
Mr.. White called attention to Section
OF the miscellaneous department, which
provides that mo office shall be created.
nor shall any person be employed in any
capacity, nor shall any officer, clerk or
employe receive any salary or compensa-
ton for any service of any kind unless
the same is specially authorized by law or
this charter; provided, however, that
when any officer or board shall require
additional employees, application shall be
made to the Board Of Trustees To author
lze the appointment of such additional
employees, and thereupon the board may,
in its discretion, by vote of not less than
six members, authorize such appoint
ment and provide for the compensation
OF such appointees."
Mr.. White said he was afraid that under
this section the Trustees could load the
offices with deputies If they chose to. Be-
sides this, he thought that the section
! came under the recent decision of the Su-
preme Court, declaring unconstitutional
the provision in the County Government
Act, which virtually permitted boards to
raise the salaries OF officials by putting in
extra deputies. Another point Mr.. White
| advanced was that the Trustees
WOULD BE EMBARRASSED
By that part of the section providing that
mo office shall be created, nor shall eny
person be employed in any capacity un-
less the same is authorized by law or this
charter" The new charter already en-
powered the Trustees 10 establish a sys-
tenn of lighting, and in that case they
would have to have superintendent and
other employees; but under this section
! they could not create the Office of Super
! intendent of Lighting, nor could they
employ any person in connection with
the system. Mr.. White thought the sec
ton was too severe, and would operate
against the charters own provisions.
| The other members agreed that there
was merit in Mr., Whites suggestions,
and memorandum of them was made
Mr.. White then took up the part of the
| proposed charter which fixes the salaries
of city officers and employees. He said
that, in his opinion, the Trustees should
| be given power TO reduce salaries when
ever they deemed necessary.
Mr.. Smith was afraid that this would
| be power that would be abused There
might be occasions when hardship could
! be worked upon employees.
| Mr.. johnson said the suggestion was a
good one, but the Trustees should not be
! i
| incumbency of an officer. The trimming
down should be done after an employee
| services had been dispensed with and a
new one was about TO be appointed.
THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
| The Freeholders then took up the mat
! ter of salaries and revised the list in
formally. There was a discussion over
the proposition to pay the City Superin-
tendent of Schools $1,000 year.
Mr.. Johnson thought that this amount
was too high. The State Superintendent
only got $1,000, and the people would
kick" at giving the City Superintendent
such high salary.
MIR. Weinstock argued that the people
would never kick at anything that
tended 10 advance their school system.
! The standard of our schools cannot be
put too high. 1t was necessary to have a
| good man ut the head of the system, and
/
| have to pay him well.
| Mr.. Smith thought that if the salary
was fixed at 81. 700 year it would be sat
/ isfactory.
|. No definite action was taken on the
matter, however.
5. X. Darlington was present and adj
! dressed the Freeholders on the subject OF
abolishing the office of City Assessor and
| using the county's assessment Of the
| city, as is done in the State of Ohio.
WAS IMPRACTICABLE.
| The attorneys on the board however,
decided that this result could only be
reached through State legislation.
| Mr.. Darlington argued that the charter
could provide for the matter now. The
| Legislature would convene before the
charter would go into effect and the de-
sired legislation could be secured.
1t was the general opinion, however,
| that this would be a dangerous and
doubtful operation. A general law
would be necessary, and other cities,
who did not approve the idea. would
come in with vigorous opposition. If
the Legislature refused to enact the law
desired the charter would be left in dis
NAL condition.
Frarr