The record-union., 1893-02-14
THE THREAT TO THE CHARTER.

The REcoRD-UNIoN yesterday took oc-
casion to express a feeling of alarm that
many of the bills before the Legislature
may have the effect, if they become laws,
of disemboweiing the new charter of this
city.
We cited few of these bills that APP
peared to have the effect referred to.
There are many more, for we did not take
up Senate bills, save in one instance.
1t is now reported that our delegation
has had several of these bills so amended
as to exclude Sacramento. by naming a
population classification that will not in
clude Sacramento. That is well, but
others remain to which amendment OF
that order will be refused, because the
city for which that bill is drawn is within
the classification to which Sacramento
belongs. We expressly stated that we
had not examined the bills with the care
trained counsel would give them. Not
withstanding the assurance that amend
ments will be made to exclude Sacra-
mento, we insist that it is the duty of the
city authorities, with counsel TO aid them,
TO meet with the Sacramento delegation
and go over the whole matter.
The EUening Bee, in commencing the
REcoRD-UN warning, reports SEN
ator Hart as pronouncing the warning a
,,,ara l,,,ca bOr o,d 4I,o+ 10 G,d- -, LII
inimical to our charter. But IN the same
columns Assemblyman Anderson says
he has found such bills and has moved
amendments TO them to draw their teeth.
We trust both gentlemen, if correctly
reported, are right; we hope that our
warning is needless. that it is bugaboo.
The REcoRD-UNIoN viii be delighted to
know that it has been in error. But I'M
til something more than has been shown
thus far has been advanced it will de-
cline to recede. 1t does know that Oak
lands charter was paralyzed in its most
important provision by an innocent little
bill relating 10 Southern California vii
lage, and that the Supreme Court so held,
IN the face of that fact it repeats that I'M
less all bills relating to municipalities, &c
streets, to local courts, to taxation, tc
public works, to municipal institutions
and so on, are examined in detail, and in
the light of the Constitution and the
court decisions, full duty will not be
done by this city.
We have confidence in our delegation
in the Legislature that it is the friend O.
the new charter, which has cost US SC
much labor and money, but we recall
that equally as able delegations have il
the past been unable to guard against al
assaults upon the city. We recall some
notable instances. But if the delegation
and city counsel of acknowledged capac-
ity could consult upon the subject, as the
San Francisco. delegation consults will
officials and counsel from that city, al
doubt can be SET at rest. The gentlemen
representing Sacramento in the Legis
lature are busy men; they have pressing
upon them multitude of questions ant
they will therefore, we are certain, gladly
welcome an official consultation upo1
this subject.
The Board of Freeholders who framed
the charter can do no higher publ,
service than to meet and consult upor
this subject, and that at once. They ar,
high-minded, public-spirited citizens
and we appeal to them to give a little
more time to examining the detenses o
the product of their labors.
One of the Sacramento legislative dele
cation sends word to the REcoRD-UNIor
that, in his opinion, the new charte
supersedes all existing laws conflicting
with it, and all that may be made. w
trust that in this construction of tn
Constitution, as now amended, he i
correct. But lawyers of high standing
express grave doubts of the soundness G
the holding.
The words of the Constitution are; u
(the charter) shall become the organi
law thereof (of the city,, and suppressed
any existing charter and all amendment
thereof. and all laws inconsistent wit