The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-02-18
FRAMING THE CHARTER.
The Mayor VIII Keep an Eye on All
Star Chamber Sessions.
Freebooter Hall Offers a Batch OF
Amendments-How Ordinances and
Franchises Shall Be Passed.

The Board of Freeholders resumed their
work of framing the charter last evening.
There were present Chairman Green and
Messrs. LaRue, Smith, Roberts, White,
Hall, Johnson, Weinstock, Simmons and
Hubbard.
AS the reports submitted at the last
session were not returned from the
printer these could not be taken up. On
motion of Mr.. Smith the Revenue and
Taxation Committees report was taken
up.
DELINQUENT SALES.
Mr.. White moved to amend Section Is,
20 that delinquent sales shall take place in
front of the County Courthouse instead
OF in front of the Collectors office. The
amendment was adopted.
Mr.. johnson offered an amendment to
Section 30, SO as to make it provide that
the Assessor must collect taxes on all
personal property "where the owner has
no real estate" This amendment was
also accepted.
The executive report was next taken
up, and MIR. Hall moved to amend Sec
ton IL, defining the duties of the Auditor
and Assessor. His suggestion was 10
provide that at the time Of the levying Of
the assessment the City Trustees may
authorize the employment of such mum
Der of deputies as may be deemed neces-
sary to carry on the work.
Mr.. White said that some protection
would be needed in this matter, and it
would be better to frame a special sec
ton covering the subject.
Mr.. Hall explained that this matter was
referred to in detail in the revenue and
taxation department, but he thought that
there should be a general reference to it
III the executive department.
There was considerable discussion on
the subject, and Mr. Hall finally with
drew that portion Of his amendment re-
ferring to the deputies.
SPECIAL MEETINGS.
Mr.. Hall next offered a new section to
the executive department, providing that
the City Clerk must notify the Mayor of
All special meetings of the City Trustees
or committee meetings, and that he be
privileged to be present at those meet
lngS, but not to vote.
Mr.. White thought that the Mayor
should also be privileged to express his
views at those meetings.
DR.. Simmons said that at q former
meeting of the Freeholders he proposed
that the Mayor should preside at all
meetings ofIrustees and committee meet
ings, but he was voted down. He was
glad now that Mr.. Hall had changed his
mind. He favored the amendment.
Mr.. White said he had opposed the doc
tors motion at that time because at many
of the meetings of the Trustees the
Mayors own appointments would come
up for consideration, and 1t would not be
proper for him to preside.
Captain Hall said his amendment was
not Identical with the doctors former
proposition. He opposed that idea then
and was opposed to it now for the same
reason advanced by Mr.. White.
Mr.. Halls amendment was finally
adopted. He then proposed new sec
tion for the Legislative Department, pro-
viding that all proposed ordinances must
be received at regular meetings of the
Trustees, and must be voted for at an
other meeting, not less than a month
later, except in cases Of emergency, when
the Trustees may vote week later
franchises or ordinances granting special
powers, however, are excluded from the
emergency clause.
on motion of Mr.. johnson this propo-
sition was referred to, the Legislative
Committee.
THE MAYORS APPOINTMENTS.
Mr.. Hall then proposed yet another
amendment. This time he wished to
change Section of the executive de-
partment so that it would provide that
the Trustees must act upon the appoint
IllGtllS Vi lilG May OF uOJ sooner imam seven
days nor more than fifteen days. Mr.
Hall explained that his idea was to pre-
vent the 'railroading' through of APP
pointees, and to give the press and public
an opportunity to comment upon the pro-
posed appointments before their confir-
nation.
Mr.. Smith was opposed to this amend
ment, because he did not believe they
could provide in the charter against the
dangers referred to by Mr.. Hall.
MIR. Johnson was also opposed to the
amendment, because he thought that the
Mayor and Trustees should make their
own rules.
1t was suggested that the amendment
should read mot sooner than five days"
instead of seven, and Mr.. Hall changed
hls amendment accordingly. The
amendment was then adopted.
Mr.. Halls next amendment was in
reference to the duties of the CITY Clerk.
He desired that this officer should keep a
record of the meetings of all special and
standing committees of the Board of
Trustees, as well as those of the board
itself.
This amendment was voted down.
Mr.. Halls stock of amendments was
now exhausted, so the report on miscel-
laneous provisions was taken up.
DIR. Simmons thought that a section
should be inserted providing that street
railroads when abandoning tracks may
be compelled to take up said tracks and
repair the streets.
The Doctors suggestion was approved,
and provision covering the point was
inserted.
The remainder of the report was
adopted as it stood. The sections pro-
vide: That no member of the Board OF
Trustees can be interested in any city
contract work; that no city officer shall
promise or give any compensation tor
his election or appointment, nor shall he
accept any compensation from any sub
ordinate for any favors he might extend :
that all records shall be open to the pub
lie for inspections; that all city offices
shall be kept open daily from $50 A. NJ
To p. NJ; that no city officer shall en-
ploy deputies except when so authorized
by the Trustees; that all deputies and
employees must be citizens of the United
States; that the Office Of any city officer
who resigns, or is convicted of a felony
or lnalfeasance in office, or be adiudged
insane, shall be declared vacant, and the
Mayor, with the consent of the Trustees.
shall fiji the vacancy; that no city en-
ploye shall be removed because of politi-
cal opinions, and that the records of the
Trustees shall be taken as prima facie
evidence in all cases of violation of the
provisions of the charter or the ordi-
names.
DRAMATIC RECITAL