The herald., 1898-09-17
fRffHOLDfRS TALK
DON'T BELIEVE IN A BOARD OF
PUBLIC WORKS
Lively Discussion About the Impera-
tive Mandate-Labor Repre-
sentatives Appear

When the roll was called at the freehold
ers' meeting last night a bare quorum was
present. Messrs. Lee. Hazard, MiEard
DAWSON, Graf. Groff. O'Melveney and
Crutcher respording. Mr.. Variel and Mr.
Morgan, however. came in later.
j. u. Bailey and r. Adams appeared as
Carpenters union with the following petit
tion:
At meeting of the select committee
appointed by The Council of Labor and
the Carpenters union for the purpose
of considering matters pertaining TO
the new charter, we were instructed to
respectfully submit the following as a
result of it's delibera tions.
First-That the charter be so framed
as to include direct legislation by the
people, through the initiative, referen-
DUN and imperative mandate, and that
Tie percentage required on all petitions
he axedat 10 per cent
Seoond--To abolish the contract sys-
tenn on all public municipal work, and
that said work be done by the day, IN
der the direction of the proper officials.
Thrd-That eight hours shall be le-
gal days work i'm each calendar day of
"a hours on all municipal work in the
city Of Los Angeles, Cal
Fourth-We would respectfully sug-
gest that the city council should be
elected from the wards, and that the
city be divided as nearly as may be, to
have an equal number CT voters in each
ward
Fifth-That the salaries of all officials
should be made to correspond with sal
aries paid persons performing similar
services in other occupations.
Sixth-That for any violation of the
city charter, or any part thereof, suit
able penalty should be provided.
The chair having explained thatthe eight.
hour per day and direct legislation clauses
already had substa ntia!Ly been incorpor-
q ted in the charter, Mr.. Bailey took tbs
floor and read an address advocating some
of the other propositions. Mr.. Adams fol
lowed him, speaking upon the matter OF
the election Of councilmen. He s.a lied, thai;
the plan Of having one alderman from each
ward and several at large had been rled
in Grand Rapids. Mich, and found fail
ure, owing to the irresponsibilty Of the
aldermen-atlarge for any particular in
terests and their consequent unsatisfactory
work. Both gentlemen we're listened to at
tentively by the members Of the board a ri
their recommendations were referred tc
the appropriate committees for further
consideration. The plan Of having two
houses in the counciLan upper and lower
is also to be considered.
The board of public works idea, which
was discussed at the meeting of Thursday
night, was taken up again last evening,
and, after some discussion, was disposed OF
by The defeat of motion THAT such board
be provided for. The vote was TO O.
Judge VarieL however, gave notice that i,
Is his intention to propose certain clauses
in effect making the Vrooman act a part
Of the new charter.
Mr.. Hazards reading a scheme proposed by
the Union Reform league for putting the
doctrine of the impera tive mandate irto
operation. The plan provides that If 10 psu
cent of the voters in the city file petitions
with the city clerk, asking that new cleo
ton be ordeGed for a certain office, the
council shall order such an election, the
name of the officer whose official head i:
thus put In jeopardy 10 be placed on the
ticket, unless he specifies to the contrary
and if in the new election he receives the
same proportion of votes. as he received in
the previous election, me retains his place
In other respects the election is the same
as an ordinary one.
Mr.. Hazard waxed eloquent in defense
of the plan, proposing, however, that the
required percentage for petitions be con-
siderably raised.
Mr.. Graft believed that the whole scheme
would afford an excellent opportunity for
politicians of the opposite party to the
ore in power to get in some dirty work and
overthrow a man fairly chosen by ma
jority vote.
Mr.. Hazard indignantly repudfated this
idea, saying that no American citizen
would be mean enough to try to GUST an
officer on purely partisan grounds No ac-
ton was taken on the matter.
Judge variel gave another notice of in
tention to propose reconsidering the clause
granting The council voluntary power OF
fixing rates for gas, water, ETC., and, I'M
stead, making 1t obligatory upon 1t to do so.
The board then adjourned to meet Tues
day night, when 1t will consider ward d.