The San Francisco call., 1896-09-26


Association.
These additional questions on the char
ter have been submitted for publication by
the Charter Association:
CHAPTER VIII
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT-MAYoR.
What is the Mayor of cityP
The chief magistrate and head executiv g
officer.
What are his powers generally?
He has general supervision of all the depart
ments OF the city government. He is RESPONSE
BILE to the people for the proper execution of
the laws, and, therefore, he is vested with the
appointment and removal of the heads of the
departments.
Is this so in all the cities of the United
It is true in all cities of the United States
that have adopted new charters in recent
years
How is it in San Francisco
Under our present consolidation act the
Mayor has been gradual, y orn of all his pow
ers by the Legislature and Supervisors, until
he is now practically cipher in the City gov
CHAPTER TX.
THE MAYOR UNDER THE CHARTER.
What will be the Mayors duties under the
He Will be the chief executive officer OF San
Francisco, and shall have general supervision
of all its departments.
Mention some of his special duties.
He must see that all the ordinances of the
City ana County are enforced, that public
franchises are not violated aud that all con-
tracts with the City are faithfully kept
what are some OF his responsibilities
He must have the books of each department
exported every six months, and see that ali
departments are honestly and economically
admin lstered.
What will be his power over the Board of
The veto power, requiring the vote of three
fOurths OF the Supervisors to overcome, will
be restored to him.
Name all the officials appointed by the
Mayor unoer the new charter.
City Attorney, Library Trustees, Board of
Public Works, Board of Health and the Com
missioners OF Police, Fire, Election, Park and
Civil Service.
In case the constitution of California is
fcias?
Yes; he will then appoint the County Clerk,
Recorder, Tax Collector, Coroner, Justices of
the Peace, Police Judges and Board of Educa-
ton.
viii this leave any City officials to be
elected?
Yes; Supervisors, Mayor, Auditor, Treasurer,
Assessor, District Attorney, Sheriff. Superin-
tendent of Schools and superior Judges.
What power will the Mayor have to remove
He may remove officials appointed by him
but cannot remove any elected official.
Will the Mayor appoint or iemoye any
clerks or employees in the City government?
Outside of his own secretary he cannot ap-
point or remove any clerks or employees.
HOW are the clerks ana employees appointed,
promoted and removed?
The civil service rules and regulations pro-
vide for their appointment aud promotion
upon merit and their removal for cause only
CHAPTER x.
CAN THE MAYOR BE A DICTATOR
Can the Mayor become an autocrat or dicta-
tor under the new charter?
1t is impossible because his tenure is
limited to TWO years, and none OF his appoint
ments can exceed four years. The Commits
sioners retire in rotation, so that only two ca n
be appointed by each Mayor after the boards
are once organized.
Could the Mayor become a political ssboss" (?
Neither the Mayor nor any one else could be-
come q "boss" under the new charter.
Why viii that be the case?
Because the civil service article in the
charter will be the deathblow to political
patronage.
Who would be the Mayor under the new
charter?
The office would be the highest honor in the
gift of the people, and our most worthy and
capable citizens would aspire to it.
Can the people be trusted TO elect the right
man2
The people very rarely err in electing worthy
citizens to the first Office of trust and re-
sponsibiIity.
What kind of Mayors has San Francisco had :?
The record of the past Mayors of San Fran
cisco is creditable to our City and infinitely
superior to that of our past Boards of Super
Visors.
To be continued