The San Francisco call., 1896-11-10
FOR AND AGAINST
;. ANOTHER CHARTER
Many Leading Citizens Ad-
vocate Election of
Freeholders.
-
Charter Could Yet Be Framed.
Adopted and Submitted to
the Legislature.
PROMPT ACTION SUGGESTED
: Mayor Sutro Is Opposed to the Plan.
Other Election Commissioners
Are in Doubt.

Yesterday number of active supporters
ota new charter exchanged views in the
office OF ]. Richard Freud. As far as
Joseph Britton. l. ]. Truman, Mayor
elect James ID. Pheian and Mr.. Dohrmann
can ascertain there is widespread senti-
ment in favor of immediate action. 1t is
believed that an election can be called,
freeholders elected, the charter advertised
! and submitted to the people at another
election before the Legislature, which con-
venes next January, adiourns.
The members of the old Board of Free
holders and the representatives of the
Charter Association and the Merchants
Association comprehend that much de-
pends on the attitude of the Board of
Election Commissioners. The question of
money to defray the expenses of two
elections may be regarded as the Stun bling
block, but the advocates OF the enterprise,
taking into consideration the amount
. which may ultimately be saved by the
adoption of new charter, trust that the
Commissioners will take the responsibility
OF calling the election.
1t may become necessary for the friends
OF the movement to secure a large petit
tior asking the Com missioners to order
the election. It is suggested that now is
the time for action, in view OF the fact
that the public mind is now interested in
the problem OF good muni cipal govern
ment. Should the subject be deferred for
two years some time would be required
then to enlist the attention of the people
IN behalf OF the proposed reform.
Mr.. Truman expressed the idea yester-
. day that the best provisions of the charter
recently rejected could be embodied in the
new instrument. 1t is possible now 10
perceive the Objectionable features and
eliminate them from the charter TO be
proposed.
a review of the subject published yester-
day morning over the signature OF Robert
Y. Hayne ELECTED some comment. The
opinion generally expressed was that the
adoption of charter by the slow process
OF constitutional amendment was not at
all necessary and that the amendments to
tbs county government act and the con-
struction of general laws by the Supreme
Cour. did OF dictate the proceedings sug-
gested by Mr.. Hayne. The plea was ad-
vanced that the Supreme Court, in view
of the many complications already zin-
'volved, would welcome a solution OF the
vexed question by affirming the constitu-
tiUnality OF a charter framed by free
holders adopted by the electors of the
City and ratified by the Legislature.
Lawyers. the equal in ability OF Mr..
Hayne, reflect that the trainers of the con-
stitution designed to recognize the right
of local governm ent in the broadest sense.
In Withholding from the Legislature the
power to amend charter submitted for
ratification the principle of local govern
. ment was broadly accepted by the trainers
of the constitution. Judge Mcfarland of
the Supreme Court was mem Der of the
. Constitutional Convention and is, no
doubt, familiar with the spirit as he cer-
fainlv iS with the lanpnapR of the c0nSti-
. tuition. 1t is the judgment of
Mayor-elect Phelan that the fifth
constitutional amendment recently
adopted has cleared the way for the
imm ediate adoption OF the charter. He
recommends that the county committees
of'the various political parties should con-
fer and nominate the fifteen freeholders.
There should be one ticket in the field, but
the ticket should be representative of the
industrial, professional. and business inter-
ests of the City. Mr.. Phelan believes that
the expense of the two elections could be
met without detriment to the funds of any
department.
H. n. Clement holds to the opinion that
right now is the time for action on the
charter. The taxpayers and in fact all
classes of citizens, now comprehend the
necessity for a simple and plain instru-
ment 10 take the place of the cum bersome
and contradictory consolidation act and
the conflicting general laws. He main
tains that the Election Commissioners in
calling an election for fifteen freehoders
would carry out the will of the people. 1t
may become necessary for the people by
petition to express the desire for the eiec-
tlon. The item of expense of course,
must be considered, but Mr.. Clement con-
tends that money would be saved by call
ing the election at once. Waiting two
years would increase rather than dimin-
ish the cost.
Some rough estimates of the proba BILE
cost were made yesterday by Messrs. Tru-
man, Freud and Britton. The expense at
the utmost for the two elections should
not exceed $4,000. One suggestion met
with favor, and that was to the effect that
the leading commercial and labor organi-
cations should be asked to attend gen
eral meeting to discuss the question of the
charter. 1t was readily admitted that the
provisions which were found to be un-
popular in the charter recently submitted
should be modified or eliminated alto
gether from :he forthcoming charter
II IS figured that the freeholders would
be able to revise and edit the charter
within six days after organization.
Should the Comm issioners. call the cleo
ton within the next week the instrument
could be framed and submitted to the
people in ample time for it's submission to
the Legislature. In the event of emer-
gency tne session at Sacramento might be
prolonged for few days beyond the usual
time of adjournment.
Many citizens who discussed the topic
yesterday acknowledged that new char
ter was needed. Hints were thrown out
that the Election Com missioners, who
were recently reelected to Office for two
years. would hesitate TO take steps which
m ght result in shortening their terms of
office. On the other hand a sentiment
was expressed that the Commissioners
wonld respond readily II it should be
demonstrated that large number of
citizens were anxious for an immediate
election.
Mayor Sutro was interviewed last night.
He said distinctly that he would not as an
Election Commissioner vote ct this time
to call an election for freeholders to frame
a charter. He insists that charter !
should not be hastily framed. 1t is a
fundamental principle with him that
nothing should be done in haste. Above
l all things in municipal affairs a charter |
should be the product OF deliberate study. |
A vast deal of thought and patient inves- |