The record-union., 1896-03-27
YOUNG MEMS CIVICS CLUB.
Il Discusses the Executive Departments
Of the Charter.
Larger Powers Advocated for the
Mayor, but the Debate Not Yet
Decided.

At the meeting Of the Civics Club
last evening the Committee on the Ex-
ecutive Department presented its re-
port.
The committee consisted of Messrs
e. E. Avery, Chairman; J. w. Crosby,
Samuel Lubin, Robert Hector, Albert
Keene, Robert Warning, A. E. Miller, F.
w. Cary and H. Julian. The report pre-
scented by the majority recommended the
amendment of Sections q, 80, 81, 80
and AZ of the present city charter as an
nounced in yesterdays issue of We
Record Union"
The amendment to Section q con-
sisted in adding thereto q clause Civ
ing the Mayor power to close up sa-
looms and places where liquors are sold
in case of threatened public disorder,
and was unanimously adopted by the
club.
The first change suggested in Section
80 gave the Mayor authority to employ
an expert to examine work contracted
for so as to provide an additional safe
guard against paying out money for
jobs improperly done.
c. Fl. Dunn and Edward e. Avery
presented the views of the committee
anu dQNOcdL6Q Tie SdI1Ec.
Grove T. Ekins thought this might
result in placing too much power in the
hands of the Mayor.
George D. Irvine pointed out the fact
that the employment of an expert would
be only in cases of contracts already
let. The objection to the amendment,
in Mr.. Irvine's opinion, was that of leav-
the compensation of the expert to the
Trustees. They could defeat the pur-
pose of the Mayor by making the COM
pensation so small as to prohibit the
employment of an expert.
d. w. Carmichael thought that it
would not be well to let the Mayor ap
point an expert to investigate the work
of his own appointees. The Trustees,
in his opinion, should appoint such
expert, and not the Mayor.
E. e. Avery thought it safer for the
Mayor to appoint the expert, since the
contracts are entered into by the Trus-
tees.
Chauncey H. Dunn pointed out that
experts would not be necessary to en-
ploy in more than perhaps in one case
out of ten. The Mayor is to employ ex-
perts only when he deems 1t necessary
Amendment carried.
The second amendment to Section
80 increased the power of the Mayor to
suspend city officials by providing that
suspension may be made absolute for
a term not to exceed sixty days.
c. II. Dunn said that under the ex-
listing charter the Trustees can ignore
the acts of the Mayor and reinstate at
their first meeting the suspended Off
cial, who could thus defy the Mayor,
thus multiplying his power and author
ity. He advocated the change proposed,
and it met with the approval of the
club.
The third amendment provided that
vacancies thus caused in city offices
should be filled by the Mayor alone. A
minority report favored confirmation
by one-third of the Board of Trustees
Section 81 was changed so as to per-
init the President of the Board of Trus-
tees TO draw a salary similar to that
received by the Mayor while acting as
Mayor pro tempore.
DR.. H. W. Strader wished to know if
a man could draw two salaries at the
same time.
c. H. Dunn thought it only fair that
the President of the board should be
compensated for extra work.
The change suggested by the major
ity Of the committee in Section 80 was a
most radical one and involved the abol-
ishing of the power of confirmation by
the Board of Trustees. The minority
report, presented by r. A. Waring, F.
W. Cary and c. w. Baker, advocated
open voting by the board, and provided
that one-third of the Trustees should be
sufficient for confirmation.
E. E. Avery thought as the Mayor
was responsible to so great an extent
he ought to have larger power than al
lowed by the present charter.
Mr.. Cary presented the views Of the
minority, and thought there was too
much politics" under the present ar
rangement.
What is politics?'' asked DR.. Strader.
Politics is politics. DOCTOR" said Ma
Cor Weinstock.
DR.. Strader thought the provisions of
the charter as now existing in relation
to the subject were good enough.
E. e. Avery favored giving the ap-
pointing power exclusively to the
Mayor, and read a short article from
the pen of Alfred r. Conkling, which
illustrated his views.
Charles C. Holl was inclined to coin
eide with the views of DR.. Strader. He
thought we needed a check on the
Mayor. It may be necessary to put a
check on a horse to hold his head I'D,
but it ought not to be made so tight as
to pull his head back where his tail
ought to be- AS it is at present, the
Mayor can say that the Trustees will
not confirm good men when he appoints
them and he has to appoint men they
viii confirm. The Trustees, on the
other hand, may say that the Mayor
will not appoint what they consider
good men, and that they have to con-
firm such appointees as he sends them.
Why not have the charter so that the
responsibility may rest definitely some
where. It was necessary that there
should be checks on the Mayors ap-
pointing power, or his appointments
might be made simply to reward politi-
cal friends. He would amend the clause
under discussion so that the appoint
ments should be subject to confirmation
with a written statement of reasons for
their rejection by the board.
Q. 81. Dunn asked if we should not cut
n - Fm RHRFHERW