The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-06-27
STAND BY THE GREATER SALEM
CHARTER.


There is no occasion for secrecy OF
feelings about the legal test of the sa
lem charter. II should be carried on
in the most open and public manner
and both sides given a full and fair
hearing.
A decision by the courts as TO the
legality OF the proceedings will be a
good thing. as II will "Quiet title" to
all after proceedings had under tho
charter
There should be no aspersIons Of
the motives OF anyone who is for or
against the charter. II is assumed
that people win seek fully to protect
and promote their private interests in
any way they see nt
The charter Is a progressive lnstru.
ment. and could not meet with per
fectly unanimous acceptance OF all
its provisions. The boundary section.
that takes in new territory. il nrob-
ably what Is really being fought
against in the legal proceedings that
are 10 be undertaken
From a financial standpoint and
from an industrial standpoint and
from the standpoint OF public owner.
ship OF public utilities the charter is
model instrument Il Is carefully
drawn aud stands Tor progress,
So probably the real bone OF con.
tention involved Ia the question OF
the boundaries Those opposed to
taking In new territory would have
opposed an extension OF the city
boundaries that In any way interfered
with their property. That may be set
down a. fact.
Il may be set down as a fact that
no boundary lines could ever be drawn
that some one would not consider an
outrage. looked az from the stand.
point OF their own private interests.
Any such person has the full right
10 bring a suit 20 test any such action
by the rest OF the citizens OF the leg.
isIatnre.
Any large taxpayer who finds Il
cheaper TO fight and delay such
charter To keep several years longer
from paving taxes on property that
would be taken into the city has
perfect right 10 bring such a suit
These rights are guaranteed under
the constitution. and should not ue
taken away under any circumstances,
and there Is no way out OF such a mat,
ter but TO allow all such aggrieved per.
sons to exhaust their rights,
The charter viii doubtless stand the
tests of the courts, and will be all tho
more nunly established after having
been tested by litigation II IL should
De defeated a public sentiment viii
arise that win extend the city hound.
aries. and provide for the rational and
orderly development OF the capital OF
Oregon.
Greater salem cannot be checked or
killed by litigation. Every step for
the development Of the city should be
taken just as 4 hO litisAtiOn had been
commenced
The support q the charter vill ben,
ent even those Who are hshung Il
They win be enriched and benefited
~ upholding the charter. The priee
a property Win Advance. and subar
hAn salem uin inproEe, aud streets
and sewers and vAlhs ant rFoss-Ealks
On b. built Just ne sane As 4 no
lltsEAfion vas being carried on
The progress q GreAter salem
sAoaid net b sioppsd for an Instant
~ tAis nukAuoa- ne city govern
meni should proceed % lay out its
new wards and take All steps required
under tAe charter 3nss IS Il no suit
had been brought
Amer the suit has been brouEht 20
lest the charter tAQss opposed 90 tAe
cAaEser win asa tAaz 10 STEPS be tax.
u % oreate neF wants ~ hald a ciry