The San Francisco call., 1896-04-23
Makes at Richmond an Eloquent
Appeal for the New In
Strument.
ONE HUNDRED REASONS GIVEN
A Condition of Affairs Almost Upotian
Promised Under It's Do.
minion.

Simons Hall goodly representation of
that vicinity and from different parts of
the City listened to one hundred reasons
as to why the proposed new City charter
should be adopted by the citizens of San
Francisco.
The meeting was opened by President s.
U. Darbee, and committee, consisting of
John G. Maloney. George Magoonis, John
I. Meinert, Charles w. Lamar and
S. V. Darbee was appointed to CO.
operate with the executive commit
tee to represent the association
at the meeting of the Federated Improve
ment Clubs, which will take place at
Crossthwaite's Hall May 6. and during
which will be discussed the reduction of
subjects of better lighting and street i'm
provements in general.
Introducing his address Mr.. Freud en-
tered briefly into the history of the pres
ent condition of City government, showing
that the City has no organic law but is gov
erned by an act of the Legislature handed
down for forty years and amended forty
times during that period. "Our system of
government is SO intricate" said he, ''that
not one man in five can tell what is the
prevailing law"
LII bIS one nunQT1Q reasons
he spoke in substance as follows:
The following 100 reasons in favor of the
new charter for San Francisco are based upon
provisions in the charter. Reference to the
exact articles and sections will be given to any
person applying personally or by letter to the
once or the Merchants Association in the
Mills building.
FOUR GENERAL REASONS
1. The new charter will establish municipal In
dependence and secure home rule for San Fran
CISCO
2. 1t will introduce the civil service system of
selecting all City clerks ana employees upon their
merit and efficiency.
3. 1t will insure Capitalization Of power official
responsibility and strict accountability in every
4. Improved sewers, perfected pavements clean
streets good roads and attractive boulevards will
follow the adoption OF the new charter.
SEVEN REASONS REGARDING SUPERVISORS.
5. Supervisors must be elected by general ticket
from the City and County at large
6. Supervisors must be electors of the City at
least five years continuously before their election
s., z. No person can be a Supervisor who has ever
been convicted OF crime or removed from Office for
any misdeed
.. Supervisors can hold no other political Office
nor be interested in any City franchise
8. Supervisors can neither recommend nor solicit
any appointments, except such are filled by the
board.
10. Any Supervisor who violates a charter pro-
vision forfeits his office and his right to any future
Office.
II. All financial acts and transactions of CITY
officials must be rgidly examined every six
months by the Finance Committee of the Board of
Supervisors.
SIX REASONS UPON MUNICIPAL OWNERSHIP.
H. Provision is made for the acquisition by pur-
chase or construction by the City of water, gas
telephone, telegraph and electric-light works.
13. Ample provision is made for municipal own
ershtp by purchase or condemnation of street rail-
roads and all public franchises
ID. Ninety days before each election the Board
OF Public Works must estimate the true value of
street railroads and water works, telepbone. pss @
ana eIectrlcllght plants and all public fran
chises.
Is. These exact estimates when made shall be
nov ala
resolution of nine Supervisors.
16. Upon the estimates so furnished the people
ship OF any public utility.
IL. After municipal ownership the Board of Pub
lie Works shall control and manage these public
utilities for the benefit of the people.
SIX REASONS RELATING TO FRANCHISES
1S. All franchises not in actual use within one
year after the charter takes effect are forfeited
and void.
19. No monopoly in any franchise can be
granted. Every franchise must commence within
six months of its creation.
20. Street-railway franchises must be sold to the
highest bidder. and at least per cent of the re-
2l. The City acquires the roadtrack and bed of
street railways at the expiration Of their fran
chises.
%. Free entry into the City and County Of San
Francisco is granted to any railroad company hav-
ing so miles of road constructed.
3D. No bill granting any franchise be finally
passed by the Board OF Supervisors within ninety
days Of its introduction.
SEVEN REASONABLE LIMITATIONS
"a. No liability can be incurred in any fiscal
year exceeding the revenue of that year
20. No liability from any fund can be incurred in
come of that fund during the fiscal year in which
drawn.
26. No appropriation can be paid without the
of the charter
~. One year is the limit upon any City contract
Tor gas or electric light, and the price shall never
exceed the lowest charge to any consumer
%. No demand shall be paid by the City without
nrst deductlng any amount owing to the City
29. No salary shall be paid to any official unless
ne has faithfully complied with thel laws governing
30. No estate can be saddled with anv Office or
lawyers charges OF the Public Administrators ex-
cept by order of court.
EIGHT REASONS RELATING TO TAXATION
81. The limit of the annual County tar lew 90
81 on the $lO0 OF taxable property in the City and
32. No expenditure can be made pnless nror,a.,
for in the tax levy and used only as Indicated
81. The Liabilities of any one year cannot be
charged TO the income of any other year.
"a. Tweniy-four specific funds are provided in
which all revenue must be kept separately, and
the funds are never transferable.
30. No money can be drawn from any fund ex-
cept for the exact purpose for which it has been
raised. ~
36. No fees are allowed to any salarled ofsicer
a II fees must be paid directly into the treasury
~. The general fund is abolished. The surplus
OF any fund at the end of the fiscal year is carried
forward to the same fund in the ensuing year
3S. The License Collectors Office is abolished.
The Tax Collector must collect only such licenses
as are provided in the charter.
FOUR REASONS PERTAINING TO THE MAYOR
80. The Mayor will no longer be @ figure-beaa
but will be vested with executive power and Of
fetal responsibility. Va
40. He must see that all departments are ad
ministered honestly, economically and withont
unnecessary employees.
Al. He must appoint experts to examine thor
oughly every six months the books OF all City Of
fcials VI
AZ. Officials refusing obstructing regular er
amnations OF their books may be suspended and
removed. ~
TWO REASONS IN THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT.
40. Criminal cases from the Police Court throuph
the superior Court must be conducted entirely bv
the District Attorneys Office. -
A.. A warrant and bond clerk is provided for
shutting out any more fictitious straw bonds
FIFTEEN REASONS UPON PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS
45. A competent Board of Public Works ia cra
ated to manage and conduct all public works re-
pairs and improvements.
46; No person In the Department OF Public
Works shall be interested in any City contract for
work. labor or material.
AZ. ANY contract with the City in which INV,
person in the Department Of Public Works ia IN
terested shall be void.
4S All contracts for public work must be legally
drawn by the City and County Attorney.
49. Bonding of the City for necessary perma
nent public Improvements is made valid safe ana
certain.
80. Golden Gate Van Ness and First avenua,
Fulton Lombard and Steiner Streets ana env
other streets hereafter designated, shall be boule
wards.
81. No assessment upon any property shall he
levied aggregatng in al Super Of the assessed
value OF