The herald., 1897-01-17
business. each according to his own

business. each according to his own
| ideas?
| PRESENT CHARTERS WEAKNESS
Q. Has the present chatter other
| faults besides this lack of definite re-
sponsibllity?
| A. Plenty of them, although its sins
Of omission are more serious than those
| of commission. 1t provides for more
officers than are necessary, and in some
cases for unnecessarily high pay. II
! fails to arrange for definite system OF
| management and financiering for the
| entire city's business, and is particularly
| at fault in controlling and checking the
| very considerable sums collected bysps-
| cial assessment and from sundry
sources. 1t is weak on the important
subject of franchises. and through Its
| shortcomings in that direction, the city
has been the loser of a large amount CT
| money that might have gone into parks
and other legitimate public improve
ments.
Q. What could be saved by good man
agement?
A. Put a suitable committee of first
class business men to work investigat-
ing the city'S affairs, and they would
tell you that it could be run for about SC
per cent of what we are spending now
or, what is Of greater interest to the
average citizen-that the amount now
collected, If systematically handled
could be made to give US, in time, the
finest system of parks in the world, per-
fectly paved and thoroughly cleaned
streets, fine system of boulevards
beautiful public buildings, and a clear
and healthy city. All these things car
be easily attained under a proper sys-
tenn, but they are impossible under the
present "free-for- scheme.
GOOD POINTS OF NEW CHARTER
Q. What are the main points of the
, new charter?
A.O Capitalization of power in the
hands of mayor, under suitable check
from the council. (2) Appointment OF
subordinate officials, instead of election
(3) Election of council and board of edu-
cation at large and for a four years
term. (D The civil service system In
minor appointments co. The enforce.
ment of thorough and definite financia
system. CO. Abolition of unnecessary
offices. CO Restrictions in the granting
of franchises, SO that they will yield q
revenue to the city. (S) City elections
to take place In the spring instead of fall
so as not to be affected by national ani
state elections.
@. What officers are elected under the
new charter?
A. Mayor councilmen and board OF
education
Q. How are the others chosen?
A. They are appointed by the mayor
and the various boards.
THE MAYORS POWER.
Q. Isn't that giving the mayor a great
deal of power?
A. Yes, but you cannot definitely To-
cate responsibility without giving some
body power No man can manage a
business successfully without the au-
thority to appoint and remove his su-
bordinates.
@. Is there no check on the power of
the mayor?
A. The council can at any time remove
any or all his appointees for sufficient
cause.
@. Is it not un-American to give any
one man so much authority?
A. Not unless the federal government
| itself is un-American. The president is
responsible for the executive part of the
government. and he is allowed to select
his own cabinet and other subordinate
| workers. BY any other plan harmony
and system would be unobtainable.
| @. What if you should have bad
mayor?
! A. The council would be able to hold
| him in check; but at the worst we would
not be as badly off as at present OWN 3
| to the operation of the civil service rules.
| Where but one executive officer Is to be
| elected and the Office carries great dig
nifty and responsibility, the people will
] be more discriminating In their choice.