The sun., 1901-02-15
NEW CITY CHARTER.

The draft of proposed new city
charter, prepared under the auspices of
the Board OF Trade, has been presented
to both the House and the Senate at
Dover, at the same time. This is doubt
less a iustihable cxpedient to saw time,
and a reasonable recognition of the need
of a new charter for this city that Is COM
mrndable Haste in the matter Of max
ing a new city charter, however, would
not be commendable, if it is to, in any
way, impair the work. There is need,
pressing need. for charter revision and
hettermrnt hut there is no need Of that
haste to change what will injure rather
than improve.
We therefore deprecate the idea Of
beginning the charter revision work with
IDEAS of h.Sty conclusion. There are
doubtless good points in the charter bill
submitted. and there are doubtless others
of doubtful character and utility. The
proposed complications Of the ballot at
tllN plfNlIbliS. D'NhiN " VIC Jh"A - Nii'''
time as one OF the objectionable features.
The struggle i'll this State for Il free
ballot. for an unohStructpd expression
OF the public will through a free ballot
has been too long and too severe, to al
low even patient consideration Of Any
proposed for its abridgemcnt, now that
the ballot has been made approximately
free. Whatever else is done, election,
ought to be open to all the people, ant
the ballot regulations made aS Simpl,
Ms possible. consistent with safety il
guarding it from abuse, and with justic,
in determining election results.
There shorl hr no political divisions
established for the purpose Of obtainin!
election results th:it would not rrprcScn
the votes Of the people, The prcScn
ward divisions were made for that pur
Puse-werc made 10 secure u Democrats
majority in City Council. The plan
il was Democratic in its origin and in
tent, but because it really gives minor
ity control Of Council-enabes the minol
ily party to elect Il majority Of Counci
Amy system that will do that is ia,
Representatives iii Council should Il
upon the basis If population. There
no justice in giving to 1000 propl
the same representation that is accor,ir
TO 1000. \ citizen of the Fifth i
Seventh ward ought at least 10 be til
political equal of one citizen in I'll
Eleventh or Twelfth wards.
City Council ought TO he made
responsible, as well rs Il rcpresentatiN
body, large enough to include leav,
Of capacity to correct errors always ii
hercnt iii legislative bodies drawn !
vote from the body Of the people.
ought 10 bra legislative body cmpuwert
by the charter 10 make regulations +,
the conduct of such departments ~ il
State ,y charter establishes, if it prot
that tic establishment II department
j. the wise thing to do, In short Y
think that the new charter should ii
Tie people Of this city the privilege
They have the right Of Self-goyernmcl
1t follows that the municipal otiir
ought to be elected by the peopl"
With these things, which II seems
H. arc essential and self evident, I
question d rhartcr revision comes u
vrrl important matter, and one
which the members ot the lcgiSlatr
From this city >houll give the cIo~'
possible a,teutiau and their most thong
ful consideration. Tiny can Do 10 III,
l,cneh,ial work for the city than
girr ii GOOD practical city charter.
suins sooi government,