The record-union., 1892-05-16
THE NEW CHARTER.
Answer to the Objections Raised by
DR.. Simmons.
Some of the Advantages of the
New Charter Very Clearly
Pointed Out.

Ids. RECoRD-UNIoN: did not intend
sending you a communication until /
read DR.. Simmons interview in Sat
urday evenings NelCS. l have always
had the greatest repard for the doctors
opinion, but ne is certainly taking Pc
culiar position relative TO the new charter.
The matter of the Funded Debt Commits
sion being affected by the new charter
was thoroughly discussed before the Free
holders were chosen, and the doctor
should have declined at that time for the
reasons he now gives as the main one
why he opposes it, and not waited until
the large expense had been incurred in
preparing and printing the new charter,
and he admits he voted upon most all the
propositions. | for one do not believe
the Funded Debt Commission will be dis
turbed. Did l so believe | would vote
against il as freely as the doctor. think
our voting to continue the commission
Will legaliZe it without q question, and ii
Is the opinion Of many legal gentlemen
also. Our best lawyers are Of the opinion
that the present Funded Debt Act is an
illegal one, but our citizens and the bond
| holders are so well satisfied with it that |
do not think its validity viii ever he
questioned. The doctor says he does not
think the charter will affect the collection
Of taxes. Does ne not know that thou
sands of dollars are due the city for de-
| Hnquent taxes uncollected, upon which
payment could have been forced. dared
the City Attorney advertise the same for
sale by reason of nOn-paymanJ, and sold
the same il payment had not been made.
But the payment of taxes cannot be en-
forced under cur present charter.
The doctor objects to the power given
the Mayor, His action can be checked
by the City Council or Aldermen; be-
sides, his powers are not much greater
than those Of our present Mayor did we
have man in the position who had the
nerve to use that power. Beside this, |
think our citizens will bear me out in
saying that the change Of management
from three Trustees TO nine IS sufficient
alone to justify the adoption of the new
charter, as the past three years have
shown us the folly of having a city of our
size managed by three men.
Our city is run in the interest of poll
ticianS more than on business principles,
and will continue to be so as long as our
present charter exists, but under the
plan proposed of electing our Trustees,
and with nine, instead OF three, differ
ent state Of affairs will exist. Further
more, we will get better class Of bust
ness men to serve the city, when elected
more for the honor than for the salary
Another great saving under the new
charter will be the Superintendent Of
Streets, who is under the control Of the
! City Council consequently he will not
pass upon his own bills, as now, and he
viii have no voice in the letting OF con-
tracts, by which we will get better work
for less money, and you will not see, as
now, one foreman bOssing eight men
upon the streets. All cleaning and re-
pairing streets should be done by con-
| tract.
The doctor, to my great surprise, is in
favor of a special commission, such as
Fire. Commission, Board of Education,
etc. The power now delegated to these
commissions, under the present charter,
Of saying what tax should be levied for
these departments, has been one of the
chief objects by many of having new
charter which would curtail the power.
We have Just had two lawsuits by reason
of this: These separate commissions hav-
ing the power of debating what tax they
require has cost our city many dollars
that will be saved, and these separate
commissions except Board of Educa-
tom is another opening for the ''bosses"
| to secure places for their political friends
all Of which entails an additional tax.
Did time and space permit, / could
| show many more beneficial points in the
new charter. The old charter has out
! lived its usefulness and is not suitable for
| a city Of our size. The doctor, as well
as the other freeholders, should feel proud
that they have presented our citizens
| with charter that has SO few mistakes
in it.
! think every citizen and taxpayer who
has the city's interest at heart should vote
for it's adoption, as under it our prog
ress will he much greater than under the
| old. And outside capital can seek invest
ment with US without fear Of being men
! aced. EDWIN K. ALSIP.
! May Is, 1892.