The San Francisco call., 1897-10-26
A NON-PART TISAN CHAR TER.

TOR the purpose OF making the point that the charter
framed by the Citizens Committee of One Hundred is non
partisan in character j. Richard Freud, secretary of the
committee, directs HE CALLS attention to the fact that that
body composed of ftyone Republicans hry-fve Demo-
ats seven Popusts and six Socialists Ths according to
parenty he does think it necessary to unite with the
Democratic and Republican County Committees in selecting
nonpartsan Board of Freehoders because with its present
organization the Committee of One Hundred enabled to put
before the public strictly nonpartsan charter framed by
partisan committee of citizens.
Nevertheless may be permitted to disagree with Mr.
Freud the basis his argument Acommee consist
ing of yone Republicans thiryve Democrats six Popusts
and six Socialists is not nonpartsan committee even we
were refrain from counting the Popuists and Socialists as
Democrats which they usually According to Mr. Feuds
figures it thatthe Committee of One Hundred a
Republican body, which is just bad for the nonparsan
principle in charter making, for which THE CALL is
conendng, though the committee composed entirely
OF Democrats The point make that no charter can be
adopted which does practically meet the approval of all
parties. The history of chartermang in San Francisco
proves this and if Mr. Freud willing accept the
verdict of history there but for him to convince
himself and that by trying partisan charter on the people
once
Moreover it will never do for the Committee of One
Hundred accept good offices of the Mssonstree
paper dab That journal has already given partisan flavor
to the committees work by seeking to spit the Democratic
Committee in the interest oneded Board of Feehoders.
In doing this has denounced asoals and conspaors
who have dreamed of interesting themselves in the
committees charter.
1t is safe say that newspaper which has been
Vcted of extotng from the railroad company the
price of its editorial silence aid the Committee of One
Hundred in securing the adoption of honest organic law for
San Francisco 1t may be that people often blind to
their welfare but they will not be found blind to fail to
discount the interest of such sheet in any public
he connection of the with the charter framed by Mr.
Feuds committee should be epudaed the consequences
be serious.
We aware of the fact that there is strong sentiment
throughout the city at the present time in the
charter 1t be that the document framed by the Citizens
Committee will in its main features be acceptable the peo
pie. But Mr. Freud and his feow-workes think the vot-
going take anything for granted this important
matter they mistaken Unless perfect fairness prevails
the selection of Board of Feehoders unless the charter
framed by the Citizens Committee subjected the closest
scrutiny and the utmost liberty of amendment allowed it
cannot be adopted.
The voters of San Francisco will fasten upon them
selves and their children charter which sacrifices them to
theory of Four times charters providing for an
autooratc Mayor have been defeated in this ctywce by
overwhelming maories Does Mr. Freud think it wise to
make fifth experiment?
IHE CALL enertains peculiar views on charter-mal-
ng but has noted with interest fact that the only char
ter which adoption in this city was one in
which the power had been carefully distributed
so as not to concentrate too much authority hands
one man. We refer to the socaIed Swift charter 1885.