The San Francisco call., 1898-05-07
WHY THIS cHICANERY7

| HE Continental League is reported opposing | the adoption of the new charter the ground that it confers upon the Mayor extraordinary and dangerous political powers. Tn defending the instrument from the assertions of the league morn ing contemporary declares that this ground Is bugaboo. "The charter" says the journal n question, "does not vest any extreme power in the Mayor in fact 1t makes very slight advance in that direction The most important increase Tn his appointing power results from the appointment of the boards and commissions appointed by the Gov ernor"
 It is such statements this which inhict immense damage upon the prospects of the proposed charter There is scarcely grain of truth in the allegation that the instrument merely transfers appointments from the Governor to the Mayor. Any intelligent person may ascertain the exact amount of truth by examining the charter itself.
 The proposed Board of Public Works, which is to be appointed and removed by the Mayor at pleasure, is to suppant the Superintendent of Streets, City En- gineer and Street Committee of the Supervisors. all of whom are now elected by the people Here, then, are extraordinary powers transferred from the people to the Mayor. The Board of Education is now elected by the people. The charter confers its ap- pointment upon the Mayor and authorizes him to re- move it's members at pleasure. The Police Commis- sion is now appointed by the Governor in conse- quence of failure of the law, but since 1878 that official has named but two Commissioners. As things stand the Police Commission is practically ap pointed for life At all events there is power of removal
 The Fire Commission IS appointed by the Governor and Supervisors jointly the latter appoint
 ing two, the former two, and one who was chosen by the Judge of court abolished by the constitution of 187o holding office for life There is power of re- noval except for cause. The Board of Health is ap pointed by the Governor for fixed term, and the Election Commission, which now consists of the Mayor Auditor, Tax Collector City Attorney and Surveyor, is elected by the people. The Park Com missioners appointed by the Governor, and un- der the present law there is Civil Service Commis sion This is the extent to which the proposed char ter has vested in the Mayor 'the appointment of boards and commissions appointed by the Gov ernor"
 Nor is this all. Not only is the appointment of these bodies placed in the hands of the Mayor, but he may remove them at pleasure. He may also sus- pend elected officials This makes the entire govern ment subservient to him. We have disposition to quarrel with the Freeholders for presenting this kind of political monarch; perhaps they think he will emancpate from the thraldom of the bosses But we do object to smuggling him through the bal lot boxes by misrepresentation If powerful Mayor is good thing, why not make a clean breast of him and defend the charter the ground that he IS reform innovation? The pleas of denial and avoid ance which are being entered are calculated to make the people think there is job of some kind behind the charter. For whom is this vast political power being centralized? In the event of the adoption of the charter who is going to exercise it?