Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-06-18
Home Rule for Cities.

The experience of New York city. De-
mocratic city. which was for years ruled
from Albany by the Republicans, who had
a usurping and gerrymandered majority
in the State Legislature. presented an OBJ
iect lesson for the consideration OF the
other cities in this country. and had much
TO do with creating in some OF those cities
a public sentiment hostile 10 the policy OF
allowing State legislatures to grant char
tcrs full of Objectionable features. These
charters were not only often granted
AGAINST the wishes of the people
concerned but were SO framed as
10 answer the purpose OF making
the cities in some cases mere clay IN the
hands of the potter. Republican potters
made New York city just what they chose
TO make it, aud governed it in the most
partisan way. Tsmmany had to buy the
Republican Legislature every year. so 1t
was charged. in order TO prevent that
body from lcgislating the Democratic
party and that Democratic organization
ont of existence. However-thanks to
General HILL and Tammany-New YORK
CITY Is now free. aud the Democrats there
will doubtless see TO it that the Republi-
cans shall never again SO gsrrymsndsr that
State for the election of members OF the
Legislature as to place it under the con-
troll Of that hateful party.
SO far as we know, Missouri was the first
state TO attempt TO correct the evil OF
which we speak The Constitution OF that
State provides that any city having a
population of more than 100000 inhabl
tants may frame a charter for its own gov
eminent. not contrary to nor inconsistent
with the Constitution and laws of the
State. This Constitution is to be framed
in every city by board of thirteen free
holders of five years standing as voters.
The thirteen members of this board are to
be elected by tho people, and shall within
ninety days after their election furnish to
the Chief Magistrate (Mayor) of the city
concerned a draft OF a new charter signed
by the members of such board or ma
iority Of them. Not more than thirty
dsys later the new charter shall be sub
mitted to the qualified voters. and If four
seventies of those of them voting shall
vote to ratify the same it shall at the end
of thirty days thereafter become the char
ter of the city aud superseds any exist
ing charter or amendments thereto. Pro-
vision is also made for amending char
ters.
The Galveston Ne,rs says that since the
successful test" OF home rule made in
ST. Louis similar constitutional provisions
have been adopted in the States Of Wash
ington and California. In the latter the
provision embraces cities of $500 popula-
ton. and has been applied with gratifying
success in Los Angeles. Oakland. San
Diego, aud Stockton. Tho Ne,os adds that
the movement IL plainly ono towards
community freedom that is, move
ment tending towards homo rule. The
legislatures of the several States used to
grant all the charters OF incorporated COM
panies, but now the circuit judges grant
many Of them. Indeed, the legislatures
used to grant all divorces in some Of the
States (of course not in South Carolina,
where none were granted, The move
ment under consideration is akin to the
reforms" we have Just mentioned. A
board Of nine competent men would in al
probability frame better charter for a
city than State Legislature interested
only incidentally and functIonslly in the
matter. The perfunctory performance OF
such duties is an evil which ought TO be
provided against,