The San Francisco call., 1899-11-21
ALAMEDA WANTS
TO GET IN HER
PROPER CLASS
Municipal League Is
Now Ready to Act.

ALAMEDA. Nov. 2O-At a meeting of
the Municipal League of Alameda held
at Lindermsn's Hall this evening. the
charter committee made its report,
which was accepted. While Alameda is
now under a charter of the fifth class it
is entitled TO the privileges of a city Of
the third class, and the report outlines
what will probably be the new charter
that Will be adopted in the near future
The report says in part:
Perhaps the leading objection that may be
urged against our present organic law is that
our citizens have had little voice in making
and can have very little in amending II. All
amendments thereto must he by act of the
Legislature. such action may be brought about
by the influence OF any one OF the thirteen
cities in this State which are cities OF the NTH
class The influence moving in favor Of a pro-
posed amendment may be. and often has been,
one not in harmony with the interests OF Ala
media. on many points the interests OF the
several cities are not common to all. Al each
session OF the Legislature since the original
enactment OF the organic law there have been
amendments TO the charter most OF these nav
ing been secured by influence eHerted oy others
than our citizens. Some OF them have been
inimical to the interests OF our city.
FurthermCse the Legislature may at any
time be induced 10 amend organic law by
the pressure Of influence not in the interest
OF any city Of the NTH class. but opposed 70
As a result each session OF the Legislature
brings a season OF unrest and requires watch
legislative representatives lest a harmtul
change be made in our organic law.
This would be a forcible objection even II
our charter as il stands were satisfactory
instrument II is far from being such. II has
many shortcomings. We call attention TO
few Of the leading ones.
First-The lack Of a system OF checks upon
the expenditure Of the city funds
Second-Lack OF proper enforced supervision
over the various departments OF the city gov
Third-The system Of electing school directors
is inadequate 10 the production OF the best
Fourth-The election by popular ballot of the
City Clerk and City Attorney is Objectionable.
Having thus reported in favor OF the deslra-
bility of a new charter. IL is proper that we
report regarding the necessary steps TO be
taken for the attainment OF that end. They are:
First-A proclamation issued by resolution
OF the Board OF City Trustees. and published as
required by law, calling for an election OF
fifteen freeholders and setting date therefor.
This election may be held at general or at
n snaciai election There will be no general
election until the Presidential election OF No
veuber. 1900, at which time the issues OF ma
tional campaign would so dwarf the minor local
issues as to endanger the selection OF the best
men as freeholders. Moreover, the time Woulu
be very short in which TO hold an election Tor
ratification by the people prior 10 the meet.
attendant on a national campaign would not
sufficiently die away so as 10 allow proper con-
sideration 10 be given by the voters to the ques-
tion OF the charter. We would therefore rec
ommend the calling OF special election our
inE the early part OF the year 1900.
second-sald Board OF Freeholders must meet
and proceed to frame a charter 10 be submit
ted 10 the people for ratification. Their work
must be completed within ninety days after
election.
Third-said charter so framed must be pub
ushed twenty consecutive days and must be
submitted TO voters Of the city for ratincation.
such submission may be either at general or
a special election. II is desirable that II he
at a snecial election for the reason that the
constitution requires as a condition OF adop-
ton that "a majority OF such qualified electors
voting thereat shall ratify the same. Those
votes at a general election which would be cast
blank on the question Of the charter would
therefore, under the law. count against II,
thereby endangering its ratification.
such charter having been ratified. will then
he submitted 10 the State Legislature. and on
approval by IL will be the organic law Of the
city.
The suggestion has been made that the ques-
tion OF bonding the city for school purposes
and for the erection OF a free library building
be submitted TO the people at the same election
al which the freeholders are elected or at which
the charter is submitted for ratification. This
suggestion Is impracticable, for the reason that
under the law Municipal Indebtedness Act,
Statutes 1880 no other question may be voted
on at an election held TO determine the issu-
ance OF municipal bonds But some portion Of
expense might be saved TO the city by holding
a bond election on the day Immediately pre-
cedlng or Immediately following that on which
the election for freehoders or for the ratifica-
ton OF the charter is held.