The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-11-17
New Program Prepared BY the Special
Committee Is the Topic Discussed.
An Official Blanket Ballot With
the Names Of Candidates Ar
ranged in Alphabetical Order
Under the Title of the Office,
and Municipal Elections to Be
Held at a Different Time From
State and National Elections,
Among It's Provisions.

zulu MbOS (OHlOJ, 4NON. ~ he
sessions of the National Municipal
League continued to-day. The discus
sion is still on the new program pre-
pared by the special committee.
The program provides for personal
registration of voters and nomination
of city officers by petition, and an Of
fetal blanket ballot, with the names
of the candidates arranged in alpha
hetical order under the title of the Of
flee, which obliges the voter to vote
separately for each candidate for whom
he votes, and makes it necessary that
all municipal elections shall be held at
a different time from State and ma
tiOna1 elections.
The plan provides that no debts in
CURED for the purpose of municipal I'M
dertakings from which the city de-
rives a revenue sufficient to pay all
costs of operation, interest on the bonds
and sinking fund which will pay the
bonds in twenty years, shall be includ-
ed within the debt which may be con-
stitutionally incurred.
The organization consists of a Mayor
elected by the people for two years
term, Council to be elected by gem
third of the members being elected
every two years at the time of the cleo
ton of Mayor.
The Council is to elect Controller,
other city officers to be appointed by
the Mayor.
Hon. Bird B. Coler, Controller of
Greater New York, discussed 1.-THE
Citys Power to Incur Indebtedness
Under the Proposed Municipal Pro-
gram" Mr.. Coler, after referring to the
early financial difficulties of Greater
New York, referred to the restriction
of Indebtedness of cities, and said:
"A city issues bonds only for perma-
nent Improvement, the benefits of
which inure to posterity. But there are
two classes of these improvements,
easily distinguishable from one an
other, and between which a sharp dis
tinction should be drawn. In one of
these classes are improvements which,
While adding to the beauty and health
fulness of city. bring in no direct
financial returns. This is by far the
more numerous class, and includes such
ordinary works as the erection of pub
lie buildings. the acquisition of parks
~~~@N
pense incurred is unquestionably a
financial burden upon the taxpayer. In
regard to such expenditures there can
be no doubt as to the wisdom of eStab-
fishing an arbitrary constitutional
limit, since otherwise the burdens that
might be thrown upon succeeding gen.
erations by excessive issues of bonds
would become intolerab BILE.
There is another class of improve
ments, however, far less commonly met
with, which either results in casting
no burden whatever on the taxpayers
or else brings in actual profit to the
municipality. A dim recognition of this
truth seems already to have found ex-
preston in State Constitutions, which
specifically excerpts from the operation
of this limitation, bonds issued to pro-
vide for the supply of water, and re-
quire only that a special sinking fund
be established for their ultimate re.
demption.''
He held that the bond issues in such
cases were not a real burden, since
water rents pay the interest and reduce
the principal. Under no conditions did
he favor buying franchises to further
municipal ownership, advocating the
idea of waiting until they ran out, and
then taking them. In case of per-
petual franchise, he did not believe
they would stand the test of the Su-
preme Court of the United States.
Following Mr.. Coler's address there
was a general discussion of the subject
in which the following gentlemen mar
ticipated: Hon. William Dudley Foulke
of Richmond, Ind; Charles J. Bera-
parte, Baltimore; H. M. Johnson. In
dianapolis; Samuel G. Mcclure. Column
bus; William A. Giles, Chicago.
At the afternoon session DR.. Frank T
Goodnow read a paper on Political
Parties and City Government Under the
Proposed Municipal Program
This was discussed by John A. Rut-
Ter of Milwaukee.
Public Opinion and City Govern.
ment Under the Proposed Municipal
Program" was discussed by Horace E.
Demend
At a meeting of the Executive Com
mittee, the following Organizations
were affiliated with the league: Tax
Payers League Astoria, Or; Municipal
League of Alameda, CAL; Board of
Trade of San Jose, Cal: Spokane
Chamber of Commerce; Fresno 0Ca1)
Chamber of Commerce, Oakland zeal !
Board of Trade, Pasadena (Cal) Board
of Trade
The closing sessions of the convention
l. L