Evening journal., 1898-03-10

party from the mayor to
persistently refuse consent to his selec-
tions and ultimately prevent the or
ganization of the executive depart
ments The Council is accorded the
FULLEST Legislative powers and supervis-
ory control over all the business Of the
corporation. 1t may call the mayor or
any of his suIbordinates to account. and
take any needfui measures for the pro-
lection of the people from mismanage-
ment and extravaganza.
The mayor is clothed with full execu-
tive authority and charged with the re-
sponsibility for the proper conduct Of
public business. He Is authorized to
appoint the heads of the different de-
partments and the members Of the sew
eral boards, but is restricted to the Sc
lection OF only such number from his
own party as will edualize party repre-
sentatiOn. There can be absolutely no
setting up of personal or political ma
chimes by the mayor.
The advisory board, composed OF the
heads Of departments, and with the
mayor, as an ex-officio member. win
have the power to appoint the subor-
dinate officers and clerks. The board
by express provision of the bill. must
so make its appointments that at no
time more than one-half Of the persons
IN Office shall be of the same political
party. This board will have charge of
and control over the expenditures for
any and all of the departments. sub
1ect to the control of the Council in all
appropriations exceeding one thousand
dollars
The commission has deemed il adyis-
| able TO continue the MANAGEMENT and
operation OF the water works under a
separate department. and the substitute
Dill, therefore, provides for a depart
ment to be known as the Department
OF Water Supply, under the control of
one director. The executive business
of the corporatin will thus be divided
among five departments instead of four
as provided in the original bill.
The office OF city treasurer contin-
ued under the original bill is omitted
| from the substitute, and the duties of
the Office imposed upon the city re-
ceiyer, who will be known as city re-
| ceiyer and treasurer 1t was found
| upon further consideration that this
could be readily done and an annual
saving of $1,000 effected.
| The commission desires TO call spe-
cial attention to the requirements of
the bill for systematic, efficient and
economical management OF the fiscal
concerns Of the city. 1t will not be de-
MED that the present methods of as
sessment, collection of taxes and dis
bursement of the public funds are
cumbersome and expensive. 1t has
been freely asserted that for years
there has not been a thorough and
general reyaluation OF the real estate
OF the city, while it is fact apparent
to every well-informed citizen that the
assessment Is wholly unreliable and
unequal. The collection of taxes and
other city charges is one OF the most
expensive branches Of the municipal
service. Few, il amy, taxpayers know
how much 1t costs. The disburse.
ments are made by each Independent
department in its own way, and nc
intelligible statement is given to the
people from which they can readily as
certain what has become Of the money
paid by them for the support OF the
| government.
| A radical change in this respect
would be brought about by the passage
Of the bill submitted. A quadrennially
valuation of property, with an annual
revision of this valuation, would be
made. The right of appeal from the de
cision Of the assessors, now imperious-
| ly disregarded, would be respected, az
the bin expressly guarantees. The col
lection Of all moneys due the city
would be confined to one office under
the direction of one officer. who
though paid an annual salary Of only
$4,000, would be amply compensated
for his services, and who, fully EN-.
powered, would be able to collect with
l greater facility than under the presen,
| system. All claims against the cor
4 por1ation for whatever purpose, wouli
pass through one department only, ant
| after examination by the Council
| would be accounted for in that depart
ment. An annual statement embracing
all receipts and disbursements woulC
be given to the people in such form as
would be both complete and compre.
hensive.
Following the advice OF prominent
members OF the bar rhe commission
in the substitute bill, provides for the
| appointment of the city solicitor ant
his assistant by the advisory board
It has been held that the office of city
solicitor should not be elective, anC
that if made appointive lawyers who
will not consent to engage in party
contest would allow their names to bt
offered for the position.
The provisions in the original bill
relating to city elections have beer
amplified and changed in the substi
tute. The new Constitution throw.
such safeguards around the reglstra
ton of voters that it has not beer
thought necessary to retain the re
! quirement in the original bill for th'
payment of an election fee, and thil
provision does not appear in the substl
| tute. The selection of a board OF felectioI
supervisors, consisting of four mem
bers, two from each of the politica
parties polling the highest number o
votes, which will have sole charge o
the city elections, provided for in tn
| original bill, is also requires
! | by the provisions Of the sub
stitute bill. True home rule finds it
real basis in the control of local elec
e tions by the people. This can only b
: accomplished through officers chosel
| by the people. 1t would be, If possible
/ less unjust to place the power OF ap
: pointment OF city officers in the hand