The herald., 1895-02-13
THE CHARTER AMENDMENTS
FROM THE CITIZENS LEAGUE.
To the Editor of The Herald -

To the Editor of The Herald
| Following are seventeen good and sub
stantial reasons for the adoption of the
| proposed charter amendments:
First-Their adoption will secure the
separation of municipal elections from all
others, both state and national, by pc
| riod of eight months, which is in line with
all advanced thought on the subject. All
students of municipal government agree
that the corruption from which we suffer
is the outcome of the tenacious hold which
the political manipulation has upon party
organizations, and, when municipal cleo
lions are held near to the times OF hold
ing general elections, the spirit OF party
feeling, which pervades all classes leads
many to adhere closely to their party or
CARNATIONS, and therein lies the power OF
the boss. The removal of local elections
from these influences will break that
power leaving the voter free to think only
of the good of the community, and good
officers and pure government will be the
result.
Second-The office Of City Assessor
would be abolished, and with it would go
not only the salary paid this officer, but
also large sum that is yearly paid out to
his deputies and in other expenses of the
office. The office is unnecessary, for the
work is now done by the County Assessor.
Third--The office of City Tax Collector
reasons for doing away with the Assessor,
and the abolition of these two offices
would effect an annual saving OF some
twenty thousand dollars.
Fourth-Their adoption would effect an
annual saving of about twenty-five thou
sand dollars.
Fifth-The payment of all moneys due
the city would be made directly to the
Treasurer, which would prevent the hold
ing of LARGE SIMS nv the II ifferent officers
unfortunately, as is now DONE. and
would greatly lessen, if not entirely re-
move, the possibility of loss by defalca-
ton or careessness, for all money would
be in the hands of one man, whose bond
would be sufficiently large to cover any
loss.
Sixth-The system of bookkeeping in
the Auditors office would be so altered
and arranged so as to make these books a
thorough and accurate record of the city's
business transactions, instead of the very
incomplete and slip-shod attempt which
theysare under the present charter.
Seventh-The amendments provide for
an excellent and thorough system of re-
ports to be made by all officers to the
Auditor, showing in detail all transac-
lions of the respective offices, whereby
both the Council and the public may know
rors and misdeeds will be brought to the
surface at once, instead of being covered
up by the lapse of time.
Eighth-These amendments make a
careful revision of the city's pay roll, al
tering the salaries paid to figures COM
mensurate with the services performed
and making some reductions.
Ninth-The arrangement of appointing
and supervising powers is such as to deli
nitely place the responsibility for neglect
of duty and wrong-doing in some one
place, by which abuses may be speedily
remedied.
Tenth-The provisions made for the Gre
alton of stringent rules for the govern
ment of all departments will greatly in
crease the efficiency of the service
throughout the municipal administration.
DISQUALIFICATION is made whereby
all contracts for public service such as
lighting, street sweeping, ETC., must be
advertised for at least six months prior to
the commencement of the contract. This
notice will give anyone who wishes to en-
gage in such business with the city ample
time in which to prepare for carrying out
a contract should their bid be accepted
and prevent the monopoly of such work
by few people who alone can bid under
the present rule, by reason of their being
the only ones prepared to do the work.
Twelfth-It is provided that no con-
tractor with the city can furnish bonds
for any city official, nor can an official
perform like service for any contractor.
Thirteenth-PrOvisiOn is made for the
keeping by the Auditor of an accurate
and Ineligible record of all bonds given
to the city, whereby the sufficiency of
all sureties may be readily known at all
times, and any violation of the provis
ions concerning bonds may be detected.
Fourteenth-All street railway compa
MES are required to run cars under speci-
fled limitations of time, thereby insuring
good service on all lines.
Eifteputh-Thp BOARD of Education will
be reduced in the number of its member
ship to seven, who will be elected at large
instead of by wards, by which means a
good board may always be obtained by
discrimination on the part of voters, and
known rascals may be kept out.
Sixteenth-The City Attorney and his
deputies will be required to give their en-
tire time to the duties of their Office and
not permit any outside practice to engage
their attention.
Seventeenth-The building department
would be placed in the hands OF a COM
composed of competent and
men, by which its efficiency
would be greatly enhanced.
T. d. Stimson,
G. c. Griffith,
Otto Brodtbeck,
Members Elective Committee OF the
IeapuP