Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1898-07-15
REFERENDUM.

BY majority Of about 1000 votes,
the people of San Francisco last
month adopted new charter, which
contains the most advanced Ideas OF
Democratic government yet embodied
in our municipal administration.
The charter follows the prevalent
tendency Of concentrating pewer In the
hands Of the mayor, and provides for
the civil-service system Of appoint
ments; but at the same tlme II estab-
fishes system of referendum, which
is described in interesting detail by
the Chicago Record as follows;
"Upon the presentation OF petition
bearing the names Of number Of
voters equal to IS per cent. Of the
vote cast at the last state or munich
pal, election, any ordinance, set forth
10 the petition shall be submitted u
the people for approval or rejection
az the next election. Ifa majority OF
the votes cast upon such ordlnan'H
shall be in its favor, such ordinances
shall take effect as a law Of the city
and the same shall not be repealed by
the legislative body. Propositions for
its repeal may, however, be submitted
to the people by the board. Amend
ments to the charter itself must like.
wise be submitted TO the people by
the board. Amendments to the
charter itself must likewise be sub
mitted to popular vote upon Is per
cent. OF the voters.
1.-THE provision In regard to street.
railway franchises limit grants to
twenty-five years, at the end Of
which time the track aud roadbed are
to become the absolute property OF
the city, without any money payment
therefore. When application is made
for franchise the board OF super
ylsors shall decide whether such
franchise ought to be granted. II so,
an ordinance must be framed and
published and the privilege must be
disposed of at public auction. The
bidders must agree to pay the city a
percentage for the gross receipts,
which must In no case be less than 3
per cent. for the first Iiye years, 4 per
cent. for the next ten years, and 8 per
cent. for the last ten years. The vote
OF three fourth OF all the membe.s 8 OF
the board Of supervisors Is necessary
TO pass franchise ordinance, five
sixth vote Is necessary TO pass over
the mayors veto, After franchise
shall haye been granted under these
condI tions 1t shall not go into effect
for thirty days after It's passage. II
within the thirty days petition
signed by 10 per cent. OF the voters
should be presented Ia opposition to
the ordinance, 1t must then be sub
mitted TO popular vote before going
into effect.
"rhe charter declares II to be the
purpose and intention OF the people
OF the city and county that It's
public utilities shall be gradually be
acquired and ultimately .owned by the
city and county. To this end provls'
Ion is made for taking over such
public utilities as occasion shall arise
for their acquisition, generally with
a referendum upon every specif prop
osltlon looking 10 that end"
This charter was prepared by
commlttee OF fifteen elected by pop
ular vote. cities being allowed thus to
frame charters under the state con-
stitutlon. IL Is stated that the next
Legislature will have the privilege OF
a vote on this document, and, II II
shall approve, the character becomes
virtually a local constitution for the
city OF San Francisco, with which the
legislature In future will be unable TO
Interfere, tls to take 'etfeot Jan
uary l, 1900.
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