The San Francisco call., 1898-04-27
BALMACEDA AND THE CHARTER.

n N intelligent correspondent whose comnunica- ton Is too long for publication, says there Is strong probability that the proposed new char ter would yield the kind of government which pre- vailed in Chile under the amented Bamaceda In that country he informs us the chief political boss always manages the Peruvian guano deposits Balnlacedas s system consisted in appointing his principal political friend to this place and using the revenue of the de- poslts to promote his fortunes. In this way he held the Presidency for some time. Just as he was about to retire, promote his friend to the Presidency and assume the management of the guano beds him sef the people got up the revolution which resulted in his death Our correspondent regards this revou- ton justhabe. In no other way, he ayers, could the people have shaken Bamaceda off.
 We think, however, that in drawing parallel be- tween the Mayor and the chairman of the Board of Public Works of the proposed charter and BaImaceda and the manager of the Peruvian guano deposits our correspondent is practcing somewhat wild air Un- doubtedly the chairman of the Board of Public Works under the charter will next to the Mayor himself, be the most powerful official we have ever seen. He will hold in the hollow of his hand the street contractors paving corporations street car companies and all per who ask municipal privileges connected with the public thoroughares. He will annually expend di- rectly from half to three-quarters of million on street and sewer improvements, and indirectly several millions on behalf of property liable for the cost of improving unaccepted streets. The Board of Public Works, as our correspondent truly says con- ssts of three members, two of whom will be ap- pointed by every Mayor.
 But while all this is in accordance with the facts constrained to say that in our opinion no such result would follow here in Chile Our corresponc dent should remember that we are more civilized than the Cheans and that for this reason it is quite probable that would submit for long time to an exchange of places between the Mayor and the chairman of the Board of Public Works In any event 1t is doubtful whether even if an endless ribbon such as Bamaceda naugurated were established here our people would ever meet 1t with violence.
 Our correspondent should remember that the char While they conferred upon the Mayor power to ap- point and remove everybody, including elected off cials, they also required him to be elected himself every two years. True, as our correspondent says, it might be difficult to dslodge Mayor who con trolled the saloon vote" the street car lines the School Department the Fire Department and the police, and who also, through the Election Comnis- sion canvassed the vote; but it should not be for gotten that the charter coners upon the people the privilege of making such trial It is barely possible that the Mayor and the chairman of the Board of Pub lie Works might some day becaught off their guard or out of town Then the people could raid and rout them We are free to confess however that the theory of our correspondent that revolution would be the speediest remedy has its strong points.