The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-12-08
THE PROPOSED CHARTER
AMENDMENTS
THE

merce has taken the initiative in the
movement for such changes in the City
Charter as experience has proved are
essential to good and economic govern
ment. This step is taken with entire
respect to the Board of Trustees, from
which must emanate the official sub
mission Of any propositions of amend
ment. 1t is eminently proper that sug-
gestions for amendment should come
from the people to the Trustees. The
latter then pass upon the same, or if
so minded refuse to consider them and.
mayfpropose amendments of their own.
But such arbitrary proceeding on the
part of a municipal legislative body
as refusal to submit has but rarely
been known.
The Chamber Of Commerce is a
broadly representative body, embrac-
ing mechanical, mercantile and general
business men. numbering now nearly
200. There is no other unofficial Or
ganization so well fitted to inaugurate
such a movement. Since it is conceded
that there are serious and many annoy
ing defects in the charter it is simply
the part of wisdom to propose correc-
tives, and we therefore anticipate no
difficulty in having such propositions as
are desired by the majority of the peo-
pie passing the examination of the
Trustees, and by them being submitted
to vote. Indeed, it is the duty of that
body to give the people opportunity to
vote upon propositions petitioned for,
though some may not meet the views
of individual members of the board.
AS alternative propositions may be
submitted issue is easily Joined on any
subject and the decision asked for from
the voters. Of these it requires the con-
currence of three-fifths to adopt any
proposition. There is, therefore, no
danger whatever Of the peoples rights
being imperiled by the proceeding pro-
vided by the Constitution. In this city
under the charter as it stands the ref
erendum is provided for, but the initia-
tive is not given to the people. No
method is provided for them to orig
mate any proposition whatever for sub
mission to the voters. The people, in
other words, have by the charter erect
ed a legislative body which, were it
wicked. conscionless and tyrannical,
the municipal organic law. Other cities
which were in that condition have late
~ changed to a system that permits the
people to take the initiative in reforma-
ton of the laws. In the absence of such
legal provision here nothing remains
to be done but by individual action, by
representative bodies of citizens, to Set
on foot the necessary movement to me-
morialize the legislative body.
We take it that when the Chamber
it has inaugurated it will proceed, as
was done before In the open. The ses-
sions of the committee in charge should
be held publicly and the people invited
to come before 1t and discuss every
proposition considered. 1t is probable, in
deed, that the chamber will invite the CO.
operation and solicit the counsel of other
organizations of a public or semi-civic
character, both industrial, business and
social, for we take it that the purpose
will be to interest the largest possible
body of public sentiment, and as many
individuals as possible, and all inf1u-
ences having the welfare of the COM
munity at heart, since there must be
enlisted affirmatively three-fifths of the
voting strength of the city to secure
any reformation of the organic act
AS we stated in these columns on
"wednesday. il there are changes eff
fected in the charter they should be
OF a character and embracing spirit
that will render any further changes
unnecessary for decades of years. Cnar-
tiers, like constitutions, should be IN
frequently amended. They are funda :