The Portland daily press., 1897-01-14

illusions as the commissioners who pur-
ported the charter now under discussion.
He was heartily in favor of it. The trend
of the times was toward the elimination
of politics from municipal government
and that was what this charter does in a
very large measure. II you turn this
charter down it practically means to say
that the people of forty years ago, In a
past age, were more competent to lay
down rules for city affairs than we are
today. We have progressed too much to
submit to anything of the SORT He be-
lieved in the enlarged powers given the
executive The mayor assumes spec
tacnlar position, and is ever in the pu bile
eye. He can be held responsible for any
thing. He anticipated no danger from
this added power given this executive. He
did not fear his intrenching himself by
''getting solid with the boys" He could
only intrench himself by keeping faith
with the people. They would hold him
strictly to account for his public acts. He
believed the new charter eliminated
narrow partisan politics.
Alderman Kehoe asked Mr.. Jordan to
what particular portion of the new
charter he thought did away with
partisan politics, and Mr.. Jordan en-
phatioally declared that in his mind all
parts of it. This fact was so apparent in
Mr.. Jorian's opinion that anybody could
see it.
CAPT. CHARLES a. CHASE
spoke at some length In an informal con-
yersational way. He believed in some
features the new charter to be an i'm
provement ON the old, as he believed it
to be as whole. Some parts, however,
he was not favorable to-. He would like
to SCI the overseers of the poor made
body of five men, appointed by the
mayor with q secretary or executive
officer, as capable as the present efficient
secretary. He thought five men could do
it better than a greater number. He
did not want to have any OF them
Ideal ers.'' (Laughter.) He told the
convention that while ne was an oyerseer
he did what he could for the POOR, but
didn't keep store He thought the new
draft faulty in that it did not provide
better for representation in all depart
ments of the minority. He argued most
strongly for minority representation in
all branches Of the city government and
was heartily opposed to the change in
the school committee, which shut out
the minority in totc. Talking of elimi-
mating politics from city matters was all
right, but it was not practical nor
probable. 'sTake Mr.. Libby, fine
gentleman, nblo lawyer and personal
f-iend of mime, said the Captain i'm
pressively, ''he has framed this charter
with the others, but did anybody ever hear
of Mr.. Libby's voting for anybody but a
Republican in elections national or
munloipaly He never did,"
Mr.. Jordan told the Captain he could
tell him of one, but he didn't do it last
evening. Captain Chase's remarks were
mainly plea for minority representa-
tion.
u Ii, Cd ARLES MCCA II n
when called upon by the Mayor, re-
sponded in very brief, hut earnest re-
marks. He felt. he said in effect, that
there was no crying need for new
city charter. He believed Portland hon.
estly and ably governed. He would speak
plainly and call spade spade. He
was amazed at the dawn of the 2lth
century to see a mission reporting
and advising q charter that as far as
school committee was concerned dis
franchised large proportion Of votes.
1t was done TO prevent Roman Catholic
repre- sentatioH on the school board,
whioh was only small minority. 1t
was outrageous. He believed the Catho-
lies still possessed some of the courage
of their ancestors aid would resist such
unfairnees &c the bitter end and he be-
lieved with success. he was opposed to
the new charter In most all Of its phas-
es.
Mr.. CHARLES FOBES
in beginning his interesting and pleas
ant remarks, paid high compliment
to the present. and past city councils.
He believed Portland well governed
and no corruption existing. Still, he
was in favor of the new charter az a
whole We want the best of everything.
We want the hes. police, fire and
park systems, and we want to get
them in the hest manner possible.
In order to get them we don'r want to
consider politics and we don't want to
consider ward lines. 7 krow that it is
necessary to consider ward lines in or
der to give the minority O representa-
ton, but / wish We might eliminate
that. / should not favor the election of
the mayor for two years. We are
popular government and the people de-
sire to have the power to control the
mayor We want that official where We
can get OF him. If he is IA good man,
we'll vote for him ten years in succes-
sion. If he is bad man we'll tip him
out as soon rs we can.
In speaking Of commissioners MIR.
j So = L.