The San Francisco call., 1896-05-17
AGAINST THE
NEW CHARTER
Big Meeting of the Mission
Defense Union Last
Night.
OPPOSE GENERALIZATION
Thomas J. L. Smiley and John M.
Reynolds Address the
ASsemblage.
VARIOUS CRITICISMS MADE,
Strong Speeches Against the Proposed
New Municipal Charter-De.
fects Noted.
VARIOUS CRITICISMS MADE.

By special invitation of the Defense Club
in the Mission, Thomas J. L. Smiley and
John NJ. Reynolds addressed full house
at Twentieth and Guerrero streets last
night
Mr.. Smiley was decidedly opposed to the
charter because it made no provisions for
the residence qualification of the municipal
officers provided for. To his view an alien
or nonresident of the City could be its
Mayor.
Again. there were no provisions made
for the election of the Mayor succeeding
the first one elected. This and other ir-
rePularities would prevent him from vot-
ing for its adoption. Mr.. REYNOLDS was
more exhaustive in his criticism. He in
qulred into who constituted the Mer-
chants Defense Association, which was so
earnest in advocating the adoption of the
proposed charter.
He thought he saw the footprints of the
bankers, the rich corporations and
monopolies all of whom are assessed for
much less than one-half of the real value
OF their property.
Every section of the charter that is sus-
ceptible TO criticism was handled without
gloves. Mr.. Reynolds said:
The most perfect municipal governments of
the world are conducted without MAYORS as
we know them. Neither Glasgow, so noted for
its progress. city pointed to by the whole
civilized world, nor Birmingham nor Man
chester, nor any of the English cities have
Mayors who can appoint and remove or exer-
else any power above that of his fellow-Coun-
cilmen. Where are the examples of good re-
suits from this dictatorial veto power sought
to be inflicted upon us by the new charter?
Their points are ali theories, but facts tell US
hat the new charters advocates are wrong.
Why should not the scientific, political and
economic results of these admirably governed
cities be taken a useful lesson by Ameri-
leans as the valuable results in the mechanical
arts, in medicine and in law? We can point to
these grand results of municipal governments
without Mayors. Where can our oppenents
show equally good results by the proposed die
tation?
We have shown that the growth of govern
ment has been toward enlarging the peoples
powers.
That the reasons given in favor of the new
charter are mostly reasons in favor of our pres
ent statutes
That the new charter is a step toward politi-
cal bossism
That the Capitalization of power brings best
results where the Supervisors resolve them
selves into executive committees.
That corruption is mostly a creature of the
privilege and contract system.
That the City will be released from its most
excessive burdens when the monopolies are
owned by the people.
That the new charter protec ts this sort of
corruption by limiting the peoples privilege
of providing public works.
That the omission of specific provisions for
important Offices may give the Mayor power to
appoint even the Auditor and Treasurer and
all officers now elective.
That it is wholly inconsistent with American
institutions
That the contract system is a detriment. vet
1t is made mandatory by the new charter.
That its length and minuteness of detail is A
very serious defect.
That the system of Board of Public Works
appointed by the Mayor has been a failure in
Oakland.
That the best authorities on municipal pov
ernment advise trusting to the people instead
of an irresponsible Mayor.
That the taxation provisions are not safe
guards, nor do they promise to decrease ex
penditures.
That the proposed government is discon-
nected, irresponsible system, the powers now
residing with the Supervisors being divided
with the Mayor.
That it's amendment is not an easy matter.
and many of its provisions of doubtful le-
galiiy.
The positive programme he recommends is
that the changes of municipal government
shall be in the direction of direct legislation,
in which the people themselves are able to
control their officers and their policy
The tendency and drift of the new charter is
in the opposite direction. Let it not be said of
US in future years that we assisted in the
attempts being now made TO subvert the prin-
ciple of government of the people.
The club voted thanks to the two speak.
ers for the views expressed by them.
Organ Recital.