Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1902-09-03
oHIo's MUNICIPAL LAW.

The new municipal code bill OF the
State of Ohio to which reference has
been made in these columns is now be-
'ore the Ohio Legislature called in spe-
,ial session. Governor Nash has franz
I'd a law which he will offer as the ba-
sis OF legislative action. The leading
features OF the measure for which the
Governor stands sponsor are as fol-
lows
The management Of city affairs is to
be vested in two boards-one of public
safety and one Of public service. The
board of public safety is to have full
control of the police. fire, health and
charities departments. II is to consist
Of four persons--the mayor and three
members appointed by himself, whose
terms shall expire with his own. II is
to be bipartisan. The mayor is also
to have the power of removal of its
members. The use Of the police and
fire departments as political machines
is to be prevented by the bipartisan
composition Of the board, and by civil
service system for sppointees to all
positions under the board Of public
safety.
The board Of public service is to con-
sist of four members, elected by the
people for three-year terms, and all at
the same time. This board is to have
administrative powers over all city az
fairs outside Of police, Are, health and
charities. That is, its powers will COW
er streets, sewers. parks. public build
ings. public works, wharves, bridges
lighting, etc.
The mayor, city auditor, city treas
urer, city solicitor and president OF the
city council are to be elected ON a gen
eral ticket, by the city at large. The
president of the city council is lieuten-
ant mayor.
The members OF the city council are
to be elected by wards, and at large
Their number will depend upon the
size of the city. The bill provides that
all municipalities OF 10000 or more
population shall be cities. and those un.
der that incorporated villages. A city
Of 10000 population shall be divided
into six wards. each OF which shall
elect one councilman: and three shall
be elected by the voters OF the entire
city. on a general ticket. The number
Of councilmen is to increase with popu-
lation. The present councils shall re.
district the cities into wards. to con.
form to the new conditions establish
ed by the code.
Nosfranchises are to be granted for
more than % years. City councils are
required to sell franchises to the high
est bidder-whether the bid be in mon
ey, low fares. or other concessions. This
provision is for the benefit of the
smaller cities, where /: is necessary to
offer inducements to capital to invest
in such enterprises. Councils may levy
tax not to exceed per cent on the
gross earnings OF such corporations. II
they shall see 1T.
The bill abolishes all city election
boards and county boards Of state SUI
pervisors Of elections. The secretary oil
state is to appoint new county boards
of elections. in the same maner as they
are now appointed, which boards shall
perform all the duties now devolving
on city and county boards.
1t Is fortunate for Hawaii that one OF
the oldest States OF the Unicn is strug-
Cling with a problem which We have
soon to face. Ohio will endeavor to re-
organize its municipal system on lines
which experience has taught are best
suited to honest business-like and
economical administration. The dis
cussions of that Legislature and the
final law 1t turns out will be replete
with valuable suggestions which may
be used locally to advantage.