The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-07-30
|. A. MAGMA CHARTA
TREEHOLDERs GIVE SOME IDEA
OF THEIR VIEWS
VALUABLE SUGGESTIONS MADE
Several Of Which Were Endorsed by q
Majority Of the Board-The
Councils Composition

Messrs. Crutcher, O'Melveny, Garland
and Humphreys were the absent members
In the semi-weekly session of the board of
freeholders last evening. The meeting was
productive Of many suggestions as to the
character of certain provisions of the new
charter. and some actual recommendations
were made by a majority vote of the board
The points which were recommended to
the various department committees are
embodied In the following resolutions and
motions:
BY M. L. GraffJThat the city be divided
into seven wards; one councilman elected
by each ward and five more councilmen
elected by the city at large, no two of the
latter to be residents of the same ward.
Carried by a vote of 7 to A..
BY A. M. Stephens-That the provisions
Of the charter relative to the police courts
shall conform to the Whitney and other
laws Of the state.
BY A. M. Stephens-That the provisions
Of the charter relative to the improvement,
opening and widening Of streets shall con-
form to the Vrooman act and other laws
Of the state.
By A. M. Stephens-That no franchise
shall be given to exceed years, and that
the city shall have the right to buy any
public utility at the expiration Of years
at the value of the plant without allowing
any consideration for the franchise.
BY Mr.. Newmark-That the charter shall
provide for the city treasurer to also act
as city tax collector, and for the city au-
ditor to also act as city assessor. the Of
fees of city tax collector and city assessor
being abolished.
By A. M. Stephens--That the mayor of
the city be empowered to fill the appointive
offices by and with the consent and ap-
prevail of the city council
These motions and resolutions are only
suggestions and have no further strength
other than that they were temporarily en-
dorsed by a majority Of those present.
In the discussion precipitated by their in
PRODUCTION the following amendments and
substitutes were offered and either failed
of a second, were voted down or were with
drawn:
By H. T. Hazard-As an amendment to
A. NJ Stephens motion relative to the
election Of council: That the city council
shall be composed of two Legislative bodies
an upper and lower house. The members
of the lower house shall be elected by the
wards and the members of the upper house
shall be elected at large. TIL eupper house
to serve without compensation. All legis-
lation to be submitted to the upper house
and must receive the approval thereof to
ever become a law. The number of wards
| to remain the same as at present. With
drawn.
BY ]. b. Millard-As an amendment tC
| A. M. Stephens motion relative to the
election Of council: That one councilman be
| elected from each ward, the wards to re-
main as at present. but council to b.
stripped of all appointive power. VOTED
down.
| BY L. A. Groff-As an amendment to A
| M. Stephens motion relative to franchises
That no franchise shall be granted with
| out being first submitted to a vote of the
people. Voted down; seven noes, four ayes
| General remarks and suggestions on va
rious topics on which no action was taker
were as follows:
| A. M. Stephens-It Is my intention to in
troduce later a proposition to have the
charter provide for a board of public works
Of three members, with extensive powers
the city mayor to have veto power.
| Judge Variel-H. T. Hazards motion rel.
| alive to a manner of electing the city coun-
| Gil is intended as a dose to cure disease
with which our city is not afflicted.
! H. T. Hazard--1 am in favor of posta