The record-union., 1899-10-27
THE CHARTER AND TRUSTEES.

What the Record Union" has long
contended for is now being more clear
ly perceived by the people of Sacra
mento, namely, that the mingling Of
legislative executive and judicial func-
tions in a governing body Of a city is
bad. The charter of Sacramento does
this. 1t was the result of a compro-
mise in the original Board of Freehold
ers. 1t was accepted in the new charter
because at the time it was not deemed
possible to readjust local government
without taking the charter as it came
from the freeholders.
The new instrument has. however
now been long enough tried to demon
strate the unwisdom of the stated
mingling functions in the legislative
body. 1t Is now clearly understood that
which makes the judicial, executive
and legislative branches independ-
ent of and checks upon each
other. It is not necessary to
go into details to point out wherein
our charter is defective in this respect.
Nor is there in expression of regrets
any profit. The thing to do is to look
to the future for such amendment of
the charter as will largely if not
wholly, eliminate the Objectionable
features
If such amendment is to be made it
must be undertaken in time to have
the amendments submitted to the peo-
pie at the next general election, thar
the result, if affirmative, may be pre-
sented to the next Legislature for rati-
fcation. In the meantime, the best
the people can do with a defective or
ganic Act is TO select for the Trustee
ships the very best material that pre-
sents. 1t is insisted, therefore, that
the Republican nominations offer far
and away the better timber The men
nominated have business capacity and
experience. They are free-handed men;
men Of integrity and trustworthiness.
They are not harnessed to cranky ideas;
are neither obstructionists nor ex-
tremists. In their hands the admins
tration of the city will be safe, and
will be carried on to the very best pos
sible advantage under the charter as
we have it.
| We believe these men Will be elected,
and when they are once installed in
Office one of the first steps of the new
board should be in the direction of in
/ quiry into the needs of the charter in
the way of amendments The board OF
/ two years ago took the matter up and
| proceeded so far as to settle upon sew
/ eral propositions, and to advertise them
/ to the public that they might be de-
/ bated and the time saved within which
| they must be acted upon. But un-
/ fortunately there was delay of action
within that time limit, until it was TOO
/ late to send the amendments to the
voters, and SO after many weeks of
/ hard work by a committee Of Trustees
and citizens, appointed for the purpose
( of suggesting amendments. the whole
matter fell through.
I This should not happen again. 1t
being conceded that there are serious
defects in the charter, the wise pro-
eeeding of course is to have the defects
remedied. Tosuch a task the nominees OF
the Republican party for Trusteeships
viii bring intelligence, business sense
experience, and high purpose to do fol
the city the greatest possible amount
of good that can be achieved by the
I legislative body of the municipality
There are no nominees in opposition to
these citizens who are so we'll qualified
for the tasks which will confront the
new board; there are no opponents who
will bring to the work so much of pub
lie spirit, intelligence and sound busi-
ness sense.
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