The record-union., 1892-03-01
CLOSING UP TIE CHARTER.
The FreehoIders Still Revising Their
Labor of Love.
Only Few More Days in Which to
Fill Up the Gaps-Proceed-
ings of Last Night.

for the formulation of the document ex-
piring with Saturday next The several
subcommittee to which were delegated
the provisions relative to the several de-
partments have ali submitted the results
of their labors. The charter makes a
pamphlet of eighty-two pages, printed in
the style of ordinary law books, divided
into 227 sections, though when it is gone
over during the present week, dressed
down and revised, it may be curtailed or
extended little.
A Committee of Revision, consisting of
White, Hall, Smith, LaRue, Johnson and
Weinstock, viii take the completed draft
in hand and smooth down the rough
places, having special reference to max
ing al the parts harmonic and prevent
the adoption of conflicting sections. But
the entire board will take hand in the
general revision, amending such portions
as it is deemed desirable TO change, be-
fore its final submission to the voters.
THE WORK OF REVISION.
a general meeting of the board was
called for last night. but only Roberts,
Hubbard Smith, Knox, White, LaRue
and Weinstocll were present, and an in
formal discussion only was had. and the
time was principally devoted TO searching
for and correcting typographical errors,
etc.
Section u, relating to the salary of the
Trustees, was stricken out the same sub
ject matter being contained in Section 202
'Of the Salaries Of Officers"
Subdivision Six of Section 26 was
amended to give power to the Trustees to
Organize, regulate and maintain Police
amendment only granted the power to
organize, etc, a Fire Department, nor
elsewhere in the charter is the power
specifically granted to the board to estab-
lish Police department, although the
matter is fully covered by implication in
the sections relating to the Police De-
partment.
The subdivisions in Section 26 which
relate to a requirement for the publica-
ton of notices, were all amended to pro-
vide that such notices shall be published
for the time specified Sin a daily news
paper published in the city"
Section u was amended to specify that
the report Of the expert on the books,
accounts and condition OF each office,
shall be made to the Mayor in writing.
MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORTS.
Section % was amended so that the re-
suit of the monthly count of the money
IN the City Treasury. made by the Mayor
and others, shall be reported 10 the
Board of Trustees
Section 30 was amended so that in case
of the suspension of any officer by the
Mayor, such officer may be removed
latter hearing" by affirmative vote of the
Board of Trustees.
Mr.. LaRue proposed that Section 81 be
amended to provide that in case of a va
cancy in the office of Mayor, the Board
Of Trustees shall proceed to elect a sue
cessor to FIJI the unexpired term within
specified time. He urged that the
board might neglect their duty and pur-
posely leave the city without Mayor
Mr.. Smith opposed the amendment, as
he did not believe that the charter should
be framed upon suspicion that city OH
Gals would willfully neglect their duties
MIR. WeinStock thought that if his
ellow-charter-maker should have ex-
perience with some such Board of Alder
men as had reigned in New York CITY
his faith in the innate goodness of city
officials would be diminished.
Mr.. White stated that in case of the
neglect of the Trustees to perform their
obvious duty in this respect any citizen
might institute mandamus proceedings
and compel action.
The section was finally permitted to
stand as originally drafted.
THE APPoINTIVE AND ELECTIVE POWER
Section 81 was changed to provide that
the Board OF Trustees shall fill any va
cancy that may occur in the office of City
Clerk, instead of granting that power to
the Mayor. The change was deemed adj
visable, as the board has original power
to choose the City Clerk.
Quite adiscussion ensued upon prop
osltlon to allow the Mayor TO appoint a
clerk, to be known as Mayors Clerk. -
without being authorized by the Board
of Trustees so to do,'' as provided in the
section as presented originally. The
clause was amended to read that the
Mayor may appoint such clerk when
necessary"
OFFICERS TO BE ELECTORS.
Mr.. Smith moved that Section 35 be
amended TO provide that no person shall
be chosen to the position of City Clerk
unless he be a qualified elector of the
city, and the recommendation was con-
Cured in.
Section 81 was amended so as to pro-
vide that the City Auditor shall "be a
citizen of the State and qualified elector
OF the city for two years next before his
election"
Section 80 was amended to provide that
the Auditors deputy shall also be quail
itied elector of the CITY.
Section Il. pertaining TO the Office OF
City Treasurer, was amended 10 make
that officer possess the same qualifica-
tions as the Auditor, except that he shall
have been resident and qualified elector
for i've years next preceding his cleo
ton. This amendment was deemed adj
vlsable in order that the character of any
person selected for this important Office
shall be well known.
sAFE-KEEPING OF THE FUNDS.
Section AZ provinces, by implication.
that the City Treasurer may deposit with
and loan to a bank all city funds in his
keeping, until such time as the city
shall provide proper vault or safes for
the keeping of the city money" Obiec-
ton was raised to any permission to the
Treasurer under any circumstances to
loan any person, corporation or bank any
city moneys. 1t was finally decided that
the provision could not well be changed
as the banks might not accept the money
as a special deposit and that the CITY
could not be loser il a good and sufficient
bond was eXaeted from the City Treas
urer. The words 'loan to- were stricken
out. however, though it was the general
opinion that such amendment amounts
TO bat little, save as removing the sug-
gestion 10 the Treasurer that the money
might be loaned until such time as q
vault or safe is provided for him.
THE TREASURER AND THE ATTORNEY.
Section q was amended to make the
same qualifications that apply to the CITY
Treasurer appertain also TO the City Col
leetor.
Consideration of certain amendments
proposed TO the section relative to the
City Attorney, especially as 10 the en-
ployment or special council iii certain
contingencies, was postponed until a
meeting at which q quorum should be
present.
1t should be understood, of course, that
the amendments above referred 10 are
only advisory, and must be acted upon
when more members are present Alta
meeting OF the board tonight the work
Of revision will he commenced ~ he q vi :