The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-12-06
AMENDING THE CHARTER.

| y.
AMENDING THE CHARTER.
| 1t is useless to bemoan the defects in
the City Charter and still endure them,
when we have the right and power to
amend the instrument so as to correct
it's errors. The original Charter max
ers, known as the Board of Free Hold
ers, labored upon the work assiduously,
unselfishly and with high public spirit.
No criticism Of them is intended now.
They could not fersee what has hap
pened. That was beyond human pre-
science.
But experience being the great teach
er, the only infallib1e one, has taught
US the need for certain corrections in
our Charter system. Eight years trial
of the Charter has made the faults of
the instrument clear and equally in
Dictated what the correctives should
be. The Record Union reflects the
thought of seven-tenths of all the
voters of Sacramento, when it declares
that there should be amendment of the
organic law of the city,
| Fortunately the amendments neces-
sary to more harmonious and success
full conduct of city government are not
many. They do not contemplate the
ripping up of the entire instrument
On the contrary, they relate mainly to
better definition Of the powers of the
Mayor and the perogatives of the Board
of Trustees. These two authorities now
clash frequently simply because of di-
vided responsibility
There is confessed need for reforming
the government of the Police Depart
ment and the better definition of the
the Chief of Police over that depart
ment. There is necessity for correcting
the error that keeps the heads of de-
partments in doubt relative to the au-
thority to which they shall submit re-
ports. There is need for more distinct
separation Of the executive, judicial
and legislative powers, making such
functions Independent, and less mixed
in one or more branches of the city
government.
These are the subjects upon which
amendment should run, and not many
sections will need to be reeast to effect
change Of single word will give us the
result so much desired, namely, greater
independence in the heads of depart
ments, and severance of jurisdictions.
How is the Charter amended? The
Constitution provides that it shall be
attempted not oftener than once in
two years. Amendments must be rati-
fed by the Legislature If any amend
ments are to be submitted therefore to
the next session, they must be put afoot
very early in 1900 Happily the pro-
posal of the needed amendments will
cost very little. No special election will
be necessary and no cost involved
whatever, beyond that of advertising
the few amendments proposed for
twenty days, the first advertisement of
them being at least forty days before
| the election.
| We will have a. general election on
the 9Th of next November, at which the
propositions may be submitted. The
proclamation of the proposals therefore
must be published on or before the 26th
of next September. The propositions TO
amend must emanate from the Board
of Trustees, and it will take some
months for that body to agree upon
what it will submit. We take it for
granted that the board will reflect
the wishes of the people in that regard
and not refuse them the privilege of
voting upon questions they wish to
pass upon.
| Three years ago the Board of Trus-
tees was convinced of the need for
amendments. To secure a base Of
action it named committee of It's own
body and committee of twice the size
from citizens. to debate and consider
amendments. That was done, the
work. extending over some three
months time. Certain amendments
were agreed upon by that advisory
body and adopted by the Trustees for
submission, but not within time to
| submit to the Legislature
| The amendments most desired and
which further experience has proved
to be most necessary were not then
agreed to by the Trustees. But the
step was a beginning. 1t committed
the board to the proposition that the
Charter is defective, so much SO as to
materially affect the economy of the
city and the efficiency of it's several
departments
In view of the facts, therefore, it
is not day too early to begin to look
| into the subject anew, since if it is not
done now and submission Of PROPOSE
lions made to the people next Novem
Der, nothing can be secured by way of
amendment until the Legislature of
1903. The Constitution requires a three
| fifths vote to amend. Assuming that
next November the city vote will be
6.6O0. it will require $500 affirmative
votes to adopt an amendment, and so
small a negative vote as 1921 will de-
feat any proposition. The city, there
fore, is perfectly safe in the matter
and cannot take injury by the neglect
or the Indifference of voters.
TT vorld cooyo fhof OF tho v,,oat;nO Of