The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-07-12
POINTS OF THE CHARTER
The Municipal Reform League Issues
an Exhaustive Ad-
dress.

The Municipal Reform League at its
meeting last evening decided to issue the
following address on the proposed charter !:
To the Citizens Of San Francisco: An import
ant duty confronts you in the coming election.
You wlli !, De called upon TO decide whether or
new charter proposed by the Board OF Free
holders elected November q, 1894.
That charter is long one. 1t contains more
than three times as many words as the consti-
tuition of California and nine times as many
words as the constitution of the United States.
1t would be an assumption of extraordinary
wisdom and foresight-not likely to be justi-
fled by the result--to suppose any body of men
could in less than one month, prepare such a
long document involving the important prin-
clples OF the government OF greet city, with
out there being some serious and fatal defects.
This charter, SO much longer than the other
documents referred to. was framed within
thirty days, and we submit that the fatal and
serious defects which would be expected to
appear under such circumstances are coming
to light Therefore. fellow-citizens. we urge
each and every one OF you TO read and study
this charter for yourselves. For your assist
ance in doing so we offer the following objec-
tons TO IT., asking you at the same time to re-
member that If this charter is adopted IN
November next it is almost impossible to
amend 1t, since it requires q three-ffths vote
OF the citizens voting and the approval of
both houses of the State Legislature before an
amendment can be secured. "a majority of
the people may not hereafter be trusted in the
making of amendments.
Inc Mayor o muQ1c1pdl QlCtauOr-Ile pro-
posed new charter makes the Mayor muni-
cipal dictator, for he will control nearly every
department OF the City government; win be
president OF the Board OF Supervisors: have
the power of vetoing all their acts appoint
the City Attorney, Public Administrator,
Board of Public Works, Park Commissioners
Library Trustees, Police, Park, Fire, Election
and Civil Service Commissioners and Board OF
Health. The proposed new charter declares
that as soon as the laws OF the State will admit
the Mayor shall appoint the County Clerk,
the Peace, Police Judges and Board of Educa-
ton.
This is Capitalization with a vengeance, and
Will not gain favor with those men who want
government of the people, by the people and
tor the people, instead of government by one
man, Tor that one man and his friends.
In the cities OF Europe the people are con-
stantly securing increased influence in the
management of their affairs. The principle OF
large governing bodies, elected by and respon-
sibie TO the people, is receiving more and more
support IN the great cities OF the civilized
world London has governing body OF lao
members, Manchester 104, Glasgow rs, Paris
30, Ly ons 56, Vienna 1873, and Budapest 400.
These are true representative bodies and are
acknowledged successes. They give good gov
eminent and give it cheaply.. (see Professor
in Great Britain" and "Municipai Govern mem
on the Continent of Europe Endorsed by Pro.
lessor David Starr Jordan and all economists
OF note)
Why is it that in republican America the
capitailstic innovators are seeking to central
lie government as far as possible in the hands
OF one man? And is IL possible that the work.
ing and great middle classes, whose interests
are inseparably associated with popular gov.
eminent, can be so mlsled as to vote to undo
gil that has been gained for them in more than
100 years OF successful contest against greed
of power? We think not. They will not ok.
cept they are deceived and blinded by those
who profess to be interested in their welfare
Second Objectionable charter is fatally de
fective.
1t does not provide any means by which The
Mayor who is to rule all departments of ths
City government is to get his Office, nor for ths
election By the people of any Off ce except the
supervisors; but does say lart- IA, sec. 26) tina