The morning call., 1892-06-16
4 CITY CHARrER.


The public would have no objection to the
formation of a new charter for this city if
the proper persons could be engaged in the
work. but the opinion is general, however,
that We need not anticipate any improve
meEt under such auspices as have recently
been moving in tile matter. Ii is urged
that economy might be practiced under such
a charter as would be drawn up, but The
CALL places no faith whatever in the sug-
gestiOn. The object IS not for economy; it
Is a movement to obtain more money by men
who are quite willing to pUndar the people.
We have had several efforts TO form new
charters, but fer some time past they have
been miserable failures. SeFeTai years ago
great stress was laid upon the Improvements
which could be obtained by the formation
Of q new State constitution. and one was
drawn up apparently with great care and
adopted, but il is doubtful ii affairs are not
10 a worse condition even than they would
have been had the previous constitution re-
NAMED 10 force. There are in all c0mmnni-
ties two classes IF persons who desire
change. One wants changes in city char
ters, IN State constitution and IN laws and
ordinances. These individuals mean well
enough, but the psGacea for all Ills with
tbem Is change. There IS another class,
however, who desire change for the adYan-
tages which change will bring to them.
This last class is the one, We believe, which
IS now moving for g new charter in San
Francisco Here is what al evening coRtem-
poTaTy says Of The men who are moving
for a new city charter:
Democratic politicians are represented TO be
ilfsmed with an Uuappeassble desire 10 give Us
q new and better charter. This interesting fact
is gathered with some difficulty from the misty
columns Of the Examiner. Democrats have al
ways been renowned Tor their devotion to the
cause Of reform when they ale not in of5ce.
Crimmias aud Kelly appear 10 lie equally con
ceIDed Tor good local government. 1t Is only
natural tiIal they should be anxious 10 barricade
themselves OUT Of the City HAN. THIS couelH-
SIGN Is irresistible, because the Chronicle has
joined Ia tie agitation. AL the other members
q tie boodiesque newspaper gang have not yet
declared themselves. But they are quite certain
10 join ia Wild Kelly snd CrImmins and the new
bosses Of tie Democratic party. some Of them
would not know q charter when they saw IT,
But tie distributor VIII soon be around and hll
them With eommOBplace ideas 90 lie subject, II
with nothing else. Tie sudden and uuex pected
outbuIst in this connection Is not the least sug-
gssIiYe part Of The new agitation. The question
hat 70 once rises 10 eYeryb0dys lips is the nat
submitted to the people Of this city was, among
other things gigantic reaLsstaie deal II re-
Ceiyed tie enthusiastic support Of the Chronicle
and VAS beaten nearly I've 10 one. lie second
Charter submitted by tie same process was
among other things, corporation affair. Most
OF cur Interesting contemporaries rallied with
spirit around Il, but It was shelyed by decisive
majority. The third charter was tie only credit.
able document that had been put together. Ii
was rejected only by few votes. There has al
ways b. en- a conviction more or less pronounced
that Twas counted out II we are ever going 10
Lave 4 new charter, Il viii be made by The re-
spOnsiJls and experienced citizens OF Tie town
There has been enough Of political seheming al
ready on This subject The Election Commission.
ers acted very fo0lisnly when they succumbed 10
interested clamOr aud resolved TO call for the
election OF freeholdeTs at the next general cleo
tion. A condition precedent TO the successful
working Of any charter is an amendment 10 the
constitution setting mp local sovereignty in terms
that cannot be mistaken or the reorganization Of
the present Supreme Court.