The record-union., 1896-11-12
As TO THE CITY CHARTER.
Long Session Of the Amendment Com
mittee.
ThRco Outlines of Propositions =
Opinions of Citizens Are
Asked For.


the Citizens Advisory Committee on
Charoer Amendments met last evening,
Trustee Devine in the chair. Present:
Aekssrs. Devine Tozer, Weinstock, Dew
LIN, Schaw, Coleman, Woodson and
Clerk Desmond
Several minor amendments We're con-
sidered which have already been made
public. One relating to publicity OF
ordinances was rejected; two others al
ready reported Ia these columns were
revised and approved.
The committee then took UP and de-
oated lengthily the outlines OF three
propositions given below, which are ad-
verttsed In another column, for the pur-
pose Of eliciting expressions OF opinion
IN writing, or at the meeting OF the
committee next Wednesday evening.
One puts all executive power in the
bands of the Mayor, one makes the
Mayor the agent of the Trustees and
places most responsibility on the Trus-
tees. Either of the two are intended
to define the functions Of the two
branches of municipal government
more clearly, and to avoid overhauling
the whole Charter, if either is adopted,
it will be added TO the Charter to mod
tfy and construe it. OF course any prop
ositions have to be submitted to the
people. and it is the intention to sub
NIT two out of three. The purpose is
TO have few and brief amendments only.
A third or general proposition will re-
Quire more work of amendment and
proposes a change in the form Of gov
eminent and in the constitution Of the
Board of Trustees
On these three the committee desires
the people to express themselves that
the committee may act advisedly. A
fourth proposition is before the commit
tee for debate, but has not yet been
taken up. 1t proposes to make six
wards out of the nine at present; to
elect one Trustee from each ward and
three at large, and to define the powers
of the Mayor and Trustees as In either
of propositions l or 2.
The following are the three PROPOSE
tons now submitted:
THE committee of the Board of City
Trustees, with the Advisory Commit
tee, submit the following outlines Of
three propositions under consideration
for Interpretation and amendment Of
the charter, and desire expressions of
opinion from citizens concerning the
same in writing or before the commit
tee; which meets again on the evening
of the 18th inst:
Proposition 1, to define powers of
Mayor and Trustees-The Board of
Trustees shall have no power to employ
men, purchase supplies, direct officers
or exercise any executive power what
ever except confirming appointees, but
all executive power shall be lodged in
the Mayor without interference or con-
troll by the Board of Trustees. All Off
GERS Of the city shall be under the con-
troll and direction of the Mayor and
shall report to him whenever and as
often as he may require. The Board OF
Trustees shall provide by ordinance the
method and condition to be observed by
the Mayor in the purchase of supplies
or performance of work. The Mayor
shall transmit to the Board OF Trus-
tees any reports made to him when re-
quested.
Proposition 2, to define power of
Mayor and Trustees-Except in rela-
ton to the appointment of officers
whose confirmation is necessary by the
Board of Trustees, the Mayor shall in
all respects be subordinate to the
Trustees, and shall comply with the or
ders of the board. He shall have no
lower to purchase supplies or enter
into any contract without the consent
of the board. He may be removed
from office at any time in the manner
prescribed by Section % hereof The
Board of Trustees shall have power by
resolution to direct and control all Of
ficers appointed by the Mayor
Outline of General Proposition
oh. - 15-3-
shall be elected from each ward, and
one shall be elected at large, who shall
be President of the board and Mayor
All power shall be lodged in this board.
and the Mayor shall perform such du-
ties as may be prescribed by the board
The Trustees shall receive $50 per
month, and the Mayor $50 per month
All appointments shall be made by the
board, the Mayor voting as a member
OF the Board Of Trustees"