The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-05-17
FOR THE CHARTER.
Bond Commissioners Booth and Smith
Declare in Its Favor.
They Realize That the Commission
Would be safe-Ex-Mayor Gregory's
Views On the subject.

There are few among the better citi-
zens of this city-fortunately very few
among that class-who appear to be afraid
to vote for the new charter under the de-
fusion that it might retire the Funded
Debt Commission, notwithstanding the
alternative propositions to be submitted
at the same time to the voters of the city.
It seems hardly possible that men OF
more than average information on the
subject can be so blinded as not to see
that the success of the charter, in con-
junction with the affirmative proposition
regarding the commission, is the latter's
only real security against successful as
sault.
At least two members of the three COM
posing the commission understand this,
as the following expressions from New
ton Booth and Sparrow Smith will show.
These letters were received from the
Commissioners last evening:
WHAT EX-GOVERNOR BOOTH SAYS.
SACRAMENTO, May 16, 1892.
Thomas Il. Hail. C. H. Hubbard and l.. n.
Hotfeld Replying to your inquiry as to my
views on the new charter and the best thing
to be done in respect to it, VIII say II is my
opinion the new charter is great improve
Inent over the old, and that If Alternative No.
j be adopted with it thai it will be greatly to
NEWTON BOOTH.
COMMISSIONER SMITHS BELIEF.
SACRAMENTO, May 16, 1892.
NeSsrs Hall, Hubbard; Ifagetd and
Wei1ast0cb-GENTLEMEN: Replying to your
favor asking my opinion upon the attitude OF
the Funded Debt Commission toward the new
charter, will say that can only speak for
myself upon the matter l DO not see that the
commission Will be in any greater jeopardy
after the adoption of the new charter than
now, and think if Alternative Proposition
No. is adopted with the charter we shall go
along about as at present. In view OF the en-
tire situation, it is my advice that the new
charter be adopted, with Alternative PROPOSE
tion No. l. SPARROW SMITH.
Ex-MAYoR GREGORY.
Ex-Mayor Eugene J. Gregory, when
asked by reporter for his views con-
corning the new charter, replied:
Il am for the new charter for various
reasons:
'First-The present charter is cumber-
some, incomplete and onflicting-especi-
ally in the administrative powers of the
officials designated. The original charter
provided for distinct and practical form
of government, with executive authority
in the hands of the Mayor, who is pre-
sumably empowered to supervise and
regulate the administration of the several
departments. Subsequent amendments,
however, virtually removed the eXecu-
tive powers OF that Oftlclal, ana While the
charter in one place says the Mayor shall
be exofficio Chief OF Police etc., that
power is radically and effectually re-
moved by one of the amendments men
toned. Again, the Board OF Trustees are
presumed to be the governing power in
the administration of city affairs. AS a
slight evidence of the scope Of that power
/ need but refer to the recent litigation of
the Fire Department VS.. the City of Sac
ramento, and the late disagreement be-
tween the Board of Education and the
city.
''Second-The present charter OF the
city, in more that one instance, conflicts
with the laws of the State concerning
certain vital points upon which the pub
lie cannot be too well secured.
"Third-The Mayor of the city has
virtually no powers now, excepting in
the fortunate event of controlling ma
jority of votes in the Board of Trustees
and Police Commissioners. Recent
events prove the fact that the Mayor re-
moved the Poundmaster for cause, and
that the latter dignitary was Immediately
reinstated by majority vote Of the Board
of Trustees.
''In is present form the Board of Trus-
tees is directly responsible to taxpayers
for the acts of the fire, school, bond and
other departments-and without author
ity or voice in the administration OF
either.
Further argument in favor of the
adoption of the new charter is, in my
Judgment, unnecessary"