The herald., 1898-11-11
THE CHARTERS MERITS
CLUB ENTERTAINS
THE FREEHoLDERs
Major n. T. Lee, Judge A. M. Ste
phens and Judge R. H. F. Variel
Speakers of the Evening

The members of the board of freeholders
were the guests of honor at the University
clubs regular monthly dinner at the iona
than club last night. Covers were laid for
|thirty-four and delightful evening was
spent in discussing the toothsome viands
and the meaty features of the proposed new
charter. w. A. Spalding, president of the
club, presided.
Major II. L. Lee, chairman of the board
of freeholders, was the first speaker of the
evening. lie thanked the club for the priv
ilege of addressing its members, and said
that one of the promising things for the
future of this country is the fact that college
bred men are taking a hand in national, state
and municipal affairs. municipalities must
be conducted on business principles, and the
speaker gave as reasons why they have not
been SO conducted, first, neglect of citizens
to select the right kind of men to carry on
the work for the city; second, the number
of hangers-on, good for nothing else and
looking for soft snaps, who ingratiate them
selves with the masses and secure the politi-
cal plums. A third reason is that partisan
politics are greatly tel blame for many of
the mistakes and scandals of city govern
ment. Major Lee said that the board, at
its first meeting, brought up the question
OF the merits of the civil service system,
and he claimed that it is the keystone to the
arch of good municipal government. He
declared that the mayor, who is called the
chief executive of the city, never has been
anything but a figurehead; that he has had
the power of the veto, and that was about
all. The new charter places the appoint
ment of all commissions but three, the city
attorney, city engineer, superintendent of
streets, superintendent of buildings and
sealer of weights and measures in the hands
of the mayor. He said some people think
this power should be given to the council,
instead of the mayor, but he pointed out,
in favor of the change, that charters of this
sort were in successful operation in eastern
states. The charter extends the term OF
office from two to four years, and fixes the
date for general city elections on the off
political years The initiative and referen-
dunn have been put in the new charter to
apply to elections on the requirement of
any public utility, and, secondly, to force
the council to adopt any ordinance present
ed by the people.
Judge \. Nj. Stephens took up the sub
ject of the civil service system, which he
advocated, showing wherein the charter pro-
vided for the civil service commission, and
declaring that it would emancipate the can
didate running for office from paying any
political debts, as is done under the present
system.
Judge r. H. F. Variel also discussed
he question of vesting increased power in
the mayor, alleging that, as a result of the
present plan of government, every munich
pality has a boss, and if we have to have
boss we would better have one of our own
choosing, in the form of mayor, he to
be responsible to the people. Let lis have
him. said the speaker, "in lieu ola self
boss, who never dies and who
never resigns and who is statesman for
revenue only" Judge Variel also touched
on the civil service system, water commits
sion, assessing and collecting city taxes and
the educational features, all of which were
in the new charter.
After the meeting adjourned a charter
committee was enrolled, to further the cause
OF the proposed charter, of which w. T. Bur-
bank was elected chairman and A. r.
q tom 1r1A,su