The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-03-12
THE CHARTER-wHAT IS TIT

The disposition finds general expression
to accept the provisions of the proposed
new charter. and recommend their adop-
ton by the people This Is true. notwith-
standing that nothing like accurate
knowledge can be said to prevail. even
In the newspaper offices, of the provisions
Of that proposed instrument
The G o b e has until recently stood
alone in the demand for a new charter.
The sudden conversion of those Who OPP
posed the idea deserves explanation.
Finding expression as 1t does in such radi-
cal form. and while yet the knowledge
of the proposed instrument Is Of the most
fragmentary character. 1t may be said
to he entitled to less consideration than if
there We're a sincere desire to secure a
new charter expressed or entertained by
the converts at any time In the past.
Such provisions as have been brought
into special prominence within the past
few days are undoubtedly worthy Of pop
ular approval This applies with especial
force. so far as we may Judge. to the
provision regarding the granting and tax
alton of franchises But these provisions
do not by any means tell us what the
entire instrument is to be. They are, at
best, but bricks from the structure, nor
can they be even called specimen bricks.
Before the G l o e takes the respon-
sibility of either opposing or favoring the
proposed charter it desires to secure some
substantial knowledge of it's provisions
This it does not possess Nor does the
general public possess it. If the charter
commission wants to have intelligent judg-
ment passed on its work, it will take steps
to prepare for publication In the daily
press a fair synopsis of the main pro-
visions of the proposed charter. This 1t
should do. too. before we have entered
upon the excitement attendant on an
active political campaign, such as Is i'm
mediately in sight
The charter should be adopted or de-
feated in the forthcoming election In
order that the people may be In a posi-
ton to pass intelligently on It's provisions
they should know with perfect clearness
what those provisions are before either
OF the parties has nominated its can
didates for local office The Democratic
convention will be held within two weeks.
The work of the commission Is under
stood to DE substantially complete Two
weeks discussion and thought will enable
the voters to enter the forthcoming cam
paign with a clear idea as to what their
course should be as to the charter. It
VIII not do to try to rush the measure
into adoption. That is now what is evil
IDENTIFY in contemplation If the measure
is as good as It's latter-day advocates
claim, it is but just that the people should
have knowledge Of all its advantages.
rather than of one or two of them.
The G o e desires to give its cordial
support to the measure, IL it can do so
honestly and inteIlIgently It will not do
so without exact knowledge as to It's main
provisions. 1t will be very strongly dis
posed TO urge upon the people to defeat
N''~ 4t'N"rdiC Wy lllSlr votes III 1t contains
any provision giving to existing officials
any power to fill the offices under its
provisions. Any such provision must he
regarded. as the G o e has already
pointed out. as fraud upon the peoples
right to determine through medium of
the coming election who shall discharge
the duties of their local offices. Neither
Mayor Kiefer nor any other city official
must be permitted to make any appoint
ment under that charter. except after he
or they have been rechosen to their pres
ent positions through the ballot box
The G b asks the members OF the
charter commission to prepare, for pub
lication or otherwise. a reasonable an
stract Of the provisions of their proposed
charter. If they are anxious that It shall
become law.
IL ~. Al