The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-02-09
CITY CHARTER AMENDMENTS.


Tho city council, Thursday evening last.
sitting as a committee Of the whole to
consider proposed charter amendments.
adjourned until Monday next after having
edopted motion 10 hear at that time
suggested amendments to he submitted
by the citizens as well AS by members Of
the council
While there may be a number Of minor
points on which amendments should be
submitted. the main matter OF Importance
is to change the basic structure of tho
charter so az either to give us one-man
power. and responsibility in theory as
well as in fact. or else restore to tho
elective and elected heads Of departments
their freedom from the dominance Of the
mayor.
This Is the most vital ques ion in con
nection with charter amendment. IT was
to this item that The Post called atten-
ton the other day The charter. as II
now stands. is a dcmsion and a snare.
Certain officials. heads of departments.
are still elected by The people II would
seem under such circumstances that they
should be independent in the management
of their Departments aud In the selection
OF their assistants, II they re to be held
responsible for the conduct Of their de
paEments But % matter OF fact the
charter virtually gives the mayor. as
IAN cx.ofiicio' head Of practically every
branch and committee Of the municipal
government, the ultimate aui real power
in the management Of the departments OF
these elective officers.
II matters 20 wrong it is possible for
the mayor to put the blame on the elect
cd head Of The department or for tho
latter to charge tho mayor with the re-
sponsiblity In fact. II not in theory, by
reason Of the peculiar provisions of the
charter. This means a divided respoust-
bility difioultsror the public to properly
locate and must result in majority Of
cases In inefficient service
1t is really immaterial whether tho
charter lxes single or a divided au-
thority and responsibility, but It should
clearly establish the one or the other.
The mayor should be shorn OF his ex-
officio nblquity and power throughout the
various municipal branches, or else the
people should stop the farce OF eloctlng
different heads OF departments. and the
authority be given TO the mayor to an
point and remove them
This is the first great ana controlling
change that ought TO be made That done
many other contemplated changes would
be unnecessary
And, second only in importance to this.
thoro ought to be a vital civil service
provision inserted in the charter to oper !
ate in certain departments notably the
health, police and fire departments. In
these merit, rather than partisan political |
service. or ward hecling should secure
the appointments and insure somethine
like permanent corps Of efficient men
who would not feel called upon, or he |
allowed, to mix in city politics as the
champion or understrikors of any can
didate or set of candidates.
To hold all elective officers fully re. |
sponsible for their departments. after a,y-
ing them more complete control Of Inc
same, and reinforce such an arrangemen,
With merit system that would not be
mere farce would come as near securing
good honest and efficient government az
could possibly be obtained under ou.
popular elections and unrestricted SUI
frage
The citizens should carefully inspect the |
present charter and take advantage Of
the councils invitation next Monday To
submit amendments thar are imperativeN |
needed If we are to have business like
vigorous and progressive administrator |
OF our municipal affairs.