The record-union., 1893-12-04
TINE FOR ACTION
CITY ORicers-EIect VIII Demand Their
Certificates.
Lawyer L. I. Hatfield Freely Ex-
presses His Views on the New
Charter Middle.

One of the City Trustee-elect yesterday
informed the RECORD UNION that the
officials chosen at the recent city election
would to-day cali upon the City Trustees
while that body is in session and demand
their certificates. Should they be refused,
the officers-eleet will undoubtedly follow
up their demand by applying to the
courts for a writ of mandate to compel
the Trustees to issue the certificates.
In this connection the RECORD UNION
gives place to the following communica-
ton on the subject from L. I. Hatfield,
the wel-known lawyer:
MR.. HATFIELD'S VIEWS.
EDS. RECORD UNION: At the risk of
having my motives miscontrued | write
to ask, what IS the matter with Sacra-
mentor"
After long agitation of the question.
the Board of Trustees called an election
to choose fifteen freeholders to frame
new charter. That election was approved
by the casting OF large vote. The per-
sons chosen were representative men,
and the body embraced within its num-
Der five able lawyers, four OF whom de-
voted ali the time requisite to complete
other business.
In due time the work was completed
and submitted to the people at another
election, at which the wishes OF the
people were unmistakably expressed.
Then came the approval by the Legisla-
ture.
The approval of the Legislature fin
ished the work, and included putting the
new charter into effect then, for the pur
pose of eiecting officers to manage the
affairs of the city and care for its inter-
ests in all ways. But as the time for cleo
ton drew near, there were rumors OF op-
position TO an election-rumors that the
charter was invalid, and that its validity
was to be tested.
All know that the Mayor expressed
doubt about the wisdom of setting in mo-
ton the new machinery without the
sanction of the courts. 1t was not un
derstood that the Mayor was opposed to
the new charter, but simply wanted TO be
sure he was right. That sentiment
seemed to be indorsed, for we know that
he was reelected by an unusually large
majority.
Certainly if it had been thought that he
was against the charter he would not have
been reelected at all, ii we can take pre-
vious expressions of the people on the
subject as guide. Therefore il must be
assumed that the people want the new
charter, and that they want to know that
it is valid, beyond 3 doubt. Every per-
son who knows me, knows that l think
the charter is valid and that it should be
set up as the law of the city without de-
lay; therefore it cannot be said that | am
apologiZing for the Mayor. l think the
certificates of election should have been
promptly issued.
But we all know that Mr.. Steinman is
not a vaciliating man. and when he said
lsn fn. .lea rs1A,.fA TO hn tod
ne meant it. Ii he were to change his
mind now his motives would be inn
pugned and his good faith doubted, un-
less he could clearly show the grounds
for 4 change. This he has not done, and
IN view of the seeming Endorsement of
his views and his prompt and determined
refusal to cause the result to be declared
ana the certificates issued, ought TO have
satisfied any reasonable man or set of
men that he intended to be consistent,
even If be was wrong.
But what is the result? More than
twenty different men, other than Mr..
Sieinnan, were chosen by the people of
the city TO represent aud act for them in
different capacities. Nearly a month has
pissed since the election. Less than
month remains until il will be time for
the ollicers-elect to enter upon the duties
OI their offices, If the people are to have
the benefit of the new charter, yet not
move has been made.
Evidently the people have made a mis-
take somewhere. They reelected Stein
man, knowing his views; they elected
niue new Trustees, to be the governing
body hereafter; they elected others TO
Offices of trust and profit. and not one of
the whole list has shown his appreciation
OF the gravity of the situation, or the
necessities Of the case by initiating pro-
ceedings to have the proposed test.
Why is it that those whom the people
have elected have not asserted them
selves? The second day after the legal
hour for declaring the result had arrived
should not have been allowed to pass
without action. If, as some say, Stein
man is blutnng, they should have pulled
him down.
If his objections are puerile. he will re-
ceive the eXecratiOns of the people. If
his position is correct, he will be sus-
tained.
Ii the time for action goes entirely by,
then the officers-elect will be Justly con-
denned, whether they are right or wrong.
It is not 4 matter to be LETT to an agreed
case, nor left in the hands OF men care
less of the interests OF the city, but one
that should be taken up promptly and
efficiently by a number of the officers
elect, ana a thorough and honest effort be
put forth 10 sustain the new charter. 1t
has cost the city many thousands of dol
lars, and its loss by inaction or inefficient
action will be great loss to the people
who. in their effort TO relieve themselves
from the evils of the old. were so un-
fortunate in the selection of representa-
tives under the new.
The press OF the city has been clear in
its suggestions as to the propriety and
duty of the Trustees to issue the certiti-
Gates. but they have not been issued, and
probably viii not be unless under COM
pulsion.
Therefore it is manifestly the duty of
the ot1icers-elect to at once and in un-
mistakable terms, set in motion the nee
essary process and let the courts decide
which is right-under circumstances
that viii make it clear that The test will
be thorough and honest.
1t cannot be urged that there is doubt
among the lawyers of the city, for lust
prior to the late election the four law
yers who aided III creating the new
charter put themselves on record in favor
OF it. Three OF those lawyers are here
now in active practice, and there is no
excuse for uon-action, nor even delay.
Respectfully, /. L. HATFIELD.
December ,, 1888.
CHINESE CASES CONTINUED