The herald., 1898-11-14
MONDAY, NOVEMBER II, 1898.


election will be the proposed charter important
l. - that select good city government
THE NEW and The Herald will do what it to
CHARTER persuade the public that the Democratic
ticket should have the preference; but
no which way the decision falls, the wheels will
tinue go their established way If the char
ter should adopted the of the incoming officers will
be year, and after the first expiration, will
be extended four years. So with the adoption of the char
ter the choice officials ordinarily
The proposed organic law the city should be carefully
studied The of Los Angeles this a duty
themselves less than courtesy to the freeoders who
compensation have worked hard and conscentiosy
to give good instrument The board thoroughly
partisan in its makeup embracing all shades of political
lief comprising of diversified professions and cangs
representing the progressive and thoughtful spirit the time
gentlemen devoted sixty days of aduous labor the
of framing the charter with sincere purpose believe,
giving Los Angeles good form of government could
be desired. The instrument proposes changes
vations but that have not been tested in other cities
satisfactory results Nothing that conservative people could
consider cranky onesded PARTISAN creep
in. Nobody expects that the perfect by any
MEANS but it is we'll digested and that will
give betterordeed satisfactory city
than hitherto
One thing certain: Los Angeles has outgrown the
charter adopted years ago, when population
only many new prob
lens have in city government which meet
the old have loomed up into greater proportions
If for nothing ese should have charter with ample
provisions for the management municipal works.
it certain that the city will take the plants
bark in the business pending negotiations
oludoJ 4bo
has great strides in past decade know more
about the government of cities than they did beore
the best minds of the country have studying
5ect and great many cities have been experimenting
of Improvement In framing organic law the
holders have had this rich fund of thought experience
draw upon If Los Angeles wishes to keep touch with the
progress of the age is high time for
from the old trammels.
Without attempting detailed discussion of the proposed
charter may mention few of the departures proposed
by it which commend themselves in Judgment desabe
l. 1t brings municipal elections in four years
them they do not occur in the same years as national
state elections
2 1t places greater in the hands of the
that he becomes effect of the city gov
ernmen With this power greater accountability
better guaranty of good appointments This plan has the
in other cities.
g. 1t provides for alienation terms in the various
boards of administration all go out of office at
the me leaving department fall into mex
perienced hands, This is great Improvement
The principle the initiative and referendum is recop
nized The council may be compelled to adopt submit
ordinance which fifteen per of the taxpayers de-
mand by petition.
1t provides for the collection cty taxes
by the county and collector whenever the leea
ture may enact thus saving considerable to the city
and simplifying the matter of tax-paying.
1t establishes the principle of civil in appointments
to all minor Offices thus removing them partisan and polt
cal influences.
Der of saloon licenses be granted requires the licensing
of lodging houses.
s. 1t proposes important Improvements in the depart
men bringing civil service rules to bear for protection Of
teachers The membership of the board reduced five three
of whom be elected from the city large two ap
pointed by the mayor raises the limit for school
purposes from l6 the dollars thus
providing amply for operating expenses and new buildings
o. A number of new departments created made neces-
by the tremendous growth of the city, namey Electricity
water and water right board of commissioners acquisi
on of public utilities civil service These departments
contain many valuable features.
TO- No franchise be granted within ninety days before