The record-union., 1892-03-23
THINKS IT is A GOOD ONE.
Ex-senator Fred Cox Has HIS oaj
About the New Charter.
The California State Bank VIII Not
Oppose 1.-THE Alleged 'sone-
Man Power.''
81 am proud of that document" said

''I am proud of that document" said
ex-senator Fred Cox yesterday in speak
ing of the proposed new charter, which is
10 be submitted to the people shortly.
Il don't say that simply because I was
one of the Freeholders who formulated
it," continued the Senator. There are
several provisions in the charter that [
opposed in the meetings of the Freehold
eTs, but since then / have come to the
conclusion that they are good provisions.
l honestly believe that if the charter Is
adopted it will be the best thing that
ever happened to Sacramento. You see
we have completely outgrown our pres
ent charter, and while there are many
good things in it, we needed something
bigger and broader-but at the same
time retaining those good points.
THEY WERE IN EARNEST.
"The Freeholders were very dilgent,
and showed every indication that they
were in earnest" the Senator went on.
They were determined to formulate a
carter that would be considerable OF an
- proVement over the present, and L
1aiieve the people viii give them the
,gedit OF having succeeded. Now, with
:, ference to what the improvements con-
II u OF [ might speak first of the proposed
consolidation of appointments. | think
the placing Of these appointments IN the
Mayors hands is a good thing and will
operate TO advantage. This idea that
some people have OF too much one-man
power is ridiculous. If they will read
The charter they will see for themselves
that the Mayor has very little arbitrary
power. All Of his acts have to be con-
firmed by the Board OF Trustees. l was
at first opposed to having nine Trustees,
but / think now that that will be better
than lesser number. The Trustees will
act as d check upon the Mayor, and the
latter in turn will be in a position to pre-
vent the Trustees from engaging IN any
undesirable operations. The new charter
j. arranged very nicely on this point"
APPOINTING THE CHIEF.
Being asked what he thought OF the idea
&" appointing the Chief of Police instead
o having that official elected by the peo-
% e, MIR. Cox said: u was Chairman of
he Freeholders' Police Committee, and
cslled that committee together to formu-
lste report on the general management
20 the Police Department. We recon-
i ended that the Chief be elected by the
people. Before our report was acted
upon, however, one of our committee,
:, I. DeYlin, was called East, and Z. y.
ali was assigned to his place on our
NamIDIGLSS. MI. Iall (ilu nOL Saiicl1On
our report and offered another, proVid-
ing that the Chief be appointed instead of
. 3cted. The majority of the committee
I gued for their recommendation, claim
j. z that most OF the power would devolve
uJon the Mayor instead OF upon the Chief.
! ter discussion OF the matter most of
tie Freeholders were inclined toward
r. Hal's report and it was adopted
; place Of ours. There was no feeling
Q CT the matter, and our committee sub
1lltGed to the viii of the majority. We
y ore satisfied that they believed they
u ere working for the best interests of the
oi5y."
THE RANK NOT OPPOSED.
As Mr.. Cox is one of the directors of
tie California State Bank, the reporter
:sked him If that institution was likely
Il oppose the new charter.
= = OF at all, y was the Senator's prompt
reply. Il have never heard the matter
discussed by any of the directors or even
lie clerks. The bank is attending to its
own business
vt this juncture w. E. Gerber, Assist
ant Cashier OF the bank. entered Senator
Cox's office, and the latter asked him if
lac had heard anybody connected with
tie bank express themselves as being op-
posed TO the charter.
Mr.. Gerber said ne had not. He had
t. lSed in casual way about it with Mr..
ld agreed that the proposed new charter
was very good one.
RETAIN THE COMMISSION.
Senator Cox, resuming, said that there
7gare many things in the charter which
should recommend it TO the people favor
& ly.
Ene people would find by adopting it
that their system of taxation would be
greatly improved. There would be no
laore lodging the Tax Collector, and the
Guys treasury would be greatly bene-
lied. y simple, yet complete, system of
assessment, equalization and collection
lad been prepared.
Regarding the funded Indebtedness,
Mr. Cox was very pronounced in his
opinion. . have looked into the matter
cutie thoroughly" he said, land am sat
isied that everybody should vote for the
= tentative proposition No. l. which
provides for the retention of the Funded
1)abt Commission. The commission
sl5uld by all means remain in existence.
8 it is operating for the best interests of
tie city,
DO you think The people will adopt
to- new charter?" asked the reporter in
conclusion.
Yes. 1 do. The people of Sacramento
sF5 an uneNceptionaliy enlightened and
11elhgent community, and you can rest
assured that they are going to read and
1nderstand that charter. That's all that
i necessary, Tor | am confident that any
J rson who will read it will vote for it.
. hey cannot help seeing its many good
Qualities and superiority over the present
13sthod of city government