The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-09-13
THE ELEMENTS OF A CITY CHARTE

formed bv the committee now in session will cage too
many ads The meetings of the committee are oharac-
tezed by much oatoy and resistance to any proposed ea
of the met by savage personal attacks upon
members of the present city government We may be per-
mtted to saw that sentiment revenge, desire to get even
and the motives inherent ambition turned from dsap
pontment are properly among the sentiments that should
enter into the framing of fundamental law
charter should stray little possible from state
ment of the principles upon which the of the city
to be founded and should provide proper checks and balances
there STOP fact proved by the experience mankind
that where attempt is made to provide in fundamental law
every emergency administration, the treatment of which
should left the discretion of the government within the
limits the opportunities for bad government
increased.
Students of the subject believe that the vices municipal
government this country arise in the completely of charters
and failure to follow the model of the Federal Government
In most of our cities there but legislative chamber which
selects the objects and fixes the amount of puc expenditure
and ve the meet it. 1t will be that the power to
raise and spend public being in the same hands there
every nduoemen extravaganza and the taxing power is
left unchecked and unbalanced The remedy not in making
Mayor who is to be autocra going the baobox
to vote out of office those who have just been voted in But
remedy may found in providing legislative chambers,
like houses of Congress, requiring that all legislative
shall pass both AMI that all shall b. subject to veto
by the Mayor Then separate absolutely legislation and ad
mnistran putting the to raise money and the right to
spend far apart possible and departments entirely In
dependent Of each other
Complaint is sometimes made of the extravaganza of Con-
gress and every session just before adjournment is the
practice of some member of the opposition submit list of
the appropriations made and raise the sepuchra voice of
mourning the extravaganza of the party power Then
leader of the latter will follow with proof positive that the
last chance enjoyed by the other party improved by maxi
ing larger appropriations than have just been complained Of
This childish play for party advantage mprsses but little
any who knows that after ALL Congress has no hand in
spending what has appropriately but that the eight executive
departments spend every dollar of it. Still less impression is
made upon those who know also that these executive depart
have asked Congress for twice much they have
been given 1t is easy that the heals of municipal
departments made in fact administrative officers cabinet
with the Mayor the head with authority spend the money
levied taxes by the bchamberei city legislature the
latter body having nothing to profit by handling the money
will establish reputation for economy by cutting down depart
ment estimates.
At present the Mayor without responsibility and with
out The usual role of the politicians elect that
place is that of the of what is done by every other
officer His record be attacked for he makes
official record and he promotes his political fortunes by
viewing with alarm the conduct of the officers charged with
active administration Now, by making the Mayor and
administrative cabinet responsible for advance estimates of
the of government and for the expenditure of all appro
praons made by the o legislature change unitary
into coordinate scheme and supply permanent motive for
economy. At the time deprive the Mayor of the
position of municipal critic and public scod and compel him
responsible accountable do his share of the work
and take his share of the blame.
Our present Mayor is estimable gentleman, but far
the of this city concerned, he remain in
his residence Jackson street. Oakland wrapped in schoas
tic quiet until the end of his term and not be missed at the
City Hall.