The record-union., 1892-03-07
THE NEW CHARTER.
Mayor Comstock Accepts 1t From the
Freeholders.
That Body Meets, Concludes Its Bust.
ness and Adjourns Sine Die-A
Review of the Work.

ii. Roberts, II. NJ. LaRue. c. l.. White.
Fred Cox, Matt +. Johnson. S. B. Smith,
ID. Weinstock, G. II. Hubbard and w. F..
Knox, Jr. Mayor Comstock was also
present.
After some routine business had been
done committee, consisting of Messrs.
Johnson, Smith and Knox, was ap-
pointed to deliver a copy of the charter to
Inc County Auditor.
ID. Weinstock, who had been selected
TO present copy of the charter to Mayor
Comstock, read the following address:
Mr. Mayor: In behalf of the Board of Fif-
Teen freeholders who were elected TO frame q
new charter to be submitted at an early da -
10 the voters of sacramento, beg leave TO say
that a result Of many weeks OF patient and
earnest deliberation the work OF the board has
been brought TO a close within the time speci-
ned by law, and the fruit of its labors is now
ready to be placed in your hands.
From the outset the Freeholders seemed to
keenly realize the grave responsibility i'm
posed upon them, and in framing a charter
That, with the consent of the people, is to be-
come the future fundamental law governing
our city, the members of the board earnestly
endeaVored TO give their feilow-citizens the
tullest benefit OF whatever knowledge and
sessed.
1t was the earnest purpose of the board to
present 10 the people a charter so framed as
TO insure The best form OF municipal govern
ment at the least cost TO the taxpayer, 1t has
been the aim OF the body to retain the good
ana TO eliminate the bad features of our old
charter. 1t has further been our aim to profit
by the experience of many of our sister cities
IN TINS State and elsewhere, whose charters
were freely referred 10 ana consulted. We
have endeavored to avoid their mistakes and
70 avail ourselves of such laws and acts as in
their history have proven wise and beneficial
The experience OF the majority of the Ameri-
can cities has made it plain TO US that the
highest and best municipal form of govern
1nent has been attained where responsibility
has been centered in the fewest hands, and
where the lines have been sharply drawn be-
tween the legislative and the executive depart
ments. We have found that the modern
tendency OF the most progressive American
cities, such as New York ana BROOKLYN is to
increase the executive power of the Mayor
ana 10 restrict ana define the legislative
power,t he purpose of this policy being to
secure stronger and more responsible system
of gov ernment.
This policy has seemed to us wise and iudi-
elous, grounded as ii is on the well-estab-
Ilshed business principle, based on the expert
ence OF centuries OF civilization, that the high
est administrative results aIe to be obtained
Dy so committing executive work as to estab-
llsh individual responsibility.
While we have not followed the radical pol
ICY OF such cities as have placed almost un-
limited power in the hands of the Mayor vet
we have felt that by making him as we
largely do, Individually responsible tor his
administration, We have taken a most inn
poItant step in the direction of better and
stronger local government.
1eb 10 prevent the abuse of authority
shOuld either a weak or q wicked man succeed
10 The Office OF Mayor, we have provided n
wholesome check upon his powers by reuuir-
ing that all his appointments shall he subject
10 confirmation by the Board of Trustees a
legislative body upon whom we have con
ierred no political patronage. BY this plan
we are confident that great power flor good
and but little power for evil-doing will exist
IN the city chief executive. And to further
guard against unnecessary expenditures and
10 rid the municipal government from time
draw salaries without performing duties we
nave authorized the Board of Trustees to dis
Eense with such pensioners, by empowering
Them by vote of seven out OF the nine men,
hers, TO dismiss an employe at any time
when, in their Judgment the public seI vice
viii be thereby improved.
Norm our labors have we lost sight of the
question OF economy. We have earnestly en-
deaVored TO SO organize the city government
as 10 produce the highest results with the
least cost. In some instances we have com
pIned two or more positions in one: in other
instances, when we felt it could be safely
Gone, we have reduced salaries and in a few
instances, where the increase in the labor and
responsibility more than justified it. we have
made moderate increase in salary AS may
De easily shown by comparative Statement
the payroll of the city under the proposed
charter Will be about 50, 900 less per wear
Than under the present charter
Get another large item of savings to fax
payers Will be effected under the proposed
charter in the matter of cost of city elections.
Under the present charter there are two local
elections held each year. Under the pronosed
charter there will be but one city election
every two years, the considerable cost of three
elections thereby being saved within every
two years.
And we have provided an improved system
OF revenue and taxation, that while being
economic, yet insures the speedy and cerfai6
collection of the taxes levied, and thus pro-
Vldes that the necessary burdens of govern
lnent shall bear equttably on all who are ben
efited thereby.
We have aimed to make the Mavor directly
responsible tor the Police Department by al
lowing him, subject TO the confirmation by
me trustees, 10 appoint the Chief of Police and
TO fll all vacancies on the police force Be
lieving that men of integrity and men who
are reliable, rule, can ind steady posi-
lions at fair pay in private enterprises and
VIII not leave them for uncertainties of Office
and believing further that SO far as possible
we should avoid making our public positions
an asylum for the unfortunate we have made
the position of police officer one that NAV be
held during good behavior, and though we
have reduced the pay from S10O TO $50 par
month we believe that the permanent nattre
of the Office will take the Police Department
olt OF politics and induce a superior class of
men 10 seek the positions.
We further believe that in sharply DIVIDING
the executive from the legislative branch Of
municipal affairs we have taken an important
step In the direction OF good government by
making it impossible, as under the present
charter, for city officials to pass upon their
own acts.
In order TO keep pace with the progress be-
ing made elsewhere in educational matters we
have provided for a Kindergarten system 10 |
be permanently connected with our schools
and have given the Board of Trustees power |
whenever tle city is financially able, to in !
troduce IN the course of instruction various |
branches of manual training.
In keeping with the policy that has now be- !
come almost universal, we have provided for !
the superintendent of Common Schools be- |
ing elected by the Board of Education instead |
OF by popular vote, the experience OF most |
cities having shown that the Board of Educa- |
tion can. as rule, secure higher talent for this
most important place than is commonly Sc
AS protection against inefficient teachers /
being indefinitely tolerated On the payroll a |
provision has been made that additional |
Itachers or teachers chosen to I'll vacancies
must serve six months probation and 1
must at the end OF that period submit a GER |
IlTicate of competency TO the Board of Educa- /
ton. signed by the School superintendent be- /
lore they can be elected.
Realizing that pronounced division of
opinion exists concerning the wisdom OF re- |
tanning the Funded Debt Commission under /
the new charter, il was deemed best to let the |
people decide the question for themselves |
ANo alternative propositions Were therefore |
provided in the charter one fer the continu-
ance of the Funded Debt Commission and one
lor l'S dlscontinuance, as the voters may by
Lilelr ballots decide.
Upon looking into our present charter we
Inu IL composed OF a patchwork of no less
@ 1Al1n ssi41ty-hVe Acts and amendments TO Acts
2AsseN py Jne Legislature. We believe that !
cnaFter inadequate TO the present needs of the
city ana 10 the prosperous future which we
Inlnk we see before her. We believe the time |
has now arrived when our city should don !. /
and future needs
Ana now, Mr. Mayor, with this hasty and
imperfect review and without touching upon |
the many minor but excellent provisions that |
the proposed charter embraces. with the ear
nest nope thatthe result of our labors may meet
with tae approval of our fellow-citizens and !
with the further hope that If the new charfer
is adopted Its provisions may not alone rem
edy the many existing municipal evils we are
now laboring under but may ,olaca onrS
among the best governed cities in onr com.
lnonwealth, have the honor to hand Won
:. Ms rerfected copY of the rnr,nsed -. -,