The San Francisco call., 1897-07-30

competent for Freeholders to act on these
matters, it apparently does not go far enough
by saying that such provisions in charters
shall not he amenable 10 that provision OF sec
uon which declares that charters shall be
consistent with and subject to the coRstitu-
tiOn and laws OF tbs State That is the ques-
t1on we must overcome in order 10 obtain
jurisdiction over ma tiers which are not purely
municipal, as enumerated above-that is,
poice courts, boards OF education, etc.
To overcome this difficulty the so-called
Stratton amendment, submitted TO people By
the last Legislature and providing Tor new
kind of charter, namely COUNT charter,
may be invoked. The charter authorized to be
framed by this section in every respect Tesem-
bles a Freeholders charter for cities, except
that 1t relates to purely county affairs, which
are specifically enumerated as toloWs:
The manner in which. the time at which and
the terms for which the several county and town
shin officers shall be elected or appointed,
> their compensation, the num-
segregation OF offices, the umber OF
deputies The manner in which
boards of election shall be elected or appointed,
= = the constitution, regulation, compens alton
and government OF such boards and OF heir clerks
the method by which all elections by the people
shall be conducted 3 and the tests a d
conditions upon which electors political parties
and organizations may participate IN any primary
elect OIL
1t is also provided that "sald county govern
ment act shall not be subject to any
law or amendment enacted by the Legislature
electors and ratified in the manner herein
above set tor III.
In Mahn VS.. Sutro the Supreme Court held
that San Francisco was a city for some pur-
poses and county for other purposes, and
TINS ridiculous position in which we have been
placed may require the adoption by us not
only OF city charter, but also II county char-
ter In case the amendment prevails Nhen
this convention appoints law committee we
NAV expect from them report which viii
elucidate this difficult problem.
hat
better position to-day than at any time in our
history to draft q charter.
Now, as TO the machinery Of drafting char
ter. The first step is the election OF board
OF freehoders who must within ninety days
from their election prepare and propose a
charter for the City. 1t shall then be pub
lished for at least twenty days, the first publ
cation 10 be made within twenty days after its
completion At any time after thirty days
from pu ublication it may be submitted to the
people at general or special election. 1t is
proposed that this convention request the
Election Commission to order special elec-
ton for freeholders not later than october 10.
When they have completed their work (aiter
ninety days. q special election to vote upon
the charter may be had about April ID, 1898.
That viii allow this convention two months
to do its work, which can easily be
accom- plished, considering the excellent
groundwork have for a charter in the re-
jec,ed instrument of last year, Ggd also the
valuable experience we gained by its discus
sion, revealing to US the wishes OF the people.
Alter the completion OF the work of the
charter makers, there will be two months and
a half for the discussion of the compile ted In
strument before it will be subm tied 10 vote.
By this means we Will avoid the primary elec-
ton, which under the new law must be held
in Nav, and eliminate merely partisan con-
sideratious, whicn would blind the popular
judgment to a great extent II the special elec-
lion held too close to the general election
in Novem ber 1898 As you are aware, a fteT
charter has been adopted by the people, it
must go to the Legislature early in 1899 for
its approval.
The objects to be obtained by charter have
been so widely discussed tnat l VIII not here
dwell upon them again. Suffice it to say that
San Francisco is the prey of every Legislature