The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-09-02
TIE cENvsR CHARTER.

The city Denver which is axaye political trouble
apparently is just in thrOes Of campaign oVe
the adoption of charter. All Of the preliminary
work of preparing the document and submitting
Vote OF this requiring in the state consti
tuition has been accomplished. The charter filing more
than twenty columns Of small newspaper type is now
before the people for their approval or rejection
The principal changes made by the new charter are
the union of the city and county governments and thS
establishment of home rule says Lincoln Journal
bit of territory large enough accommodate all Of
the probable growth the city is erected into the
city and county of Denver" separate county govern
will be provided for the large district left out
the corporation.
Home rule" is secured by granting to the city and
county counca body of elected for four years
authority to legsate all subjects with only few
restrictions imposed by the state law Heretofore the
council only egsated subjects specified by the char
ter By the initiative and referendum the people
the to pass all ordinances passed by the coun
Gill; also to initiate legislation and recall for any
good the election Of any OF their officers. The
the chief executive officer He appoints subject
to removal his pleasure the heads of the departments
Of law, fire ard police, excise health public welfare in
specton electricity supplies engineering public works
public utilities and franchises Responsibility
minstrative efficiency is thus centered in the
Each of these departments discharges duties indicated by
it's title No material changes from the present charter
made except in placing in the mayor effective
control of the administrative departments Effective
against misrepresentation public money
have been placed in the hands of the auditor and
expert accountant The department of public welfare
will charge of the charitable of the city and
county.
The municipal court consists of judges who exer-
else the powers police judge and justices of the peace
The system is abolished in these all of the
city departments The county and district courts remain
unchanged.
Franchises may be granted only upon vote of the
taxpaying Water light other public utilities
may be acquired by the municipality by purchase
demnation but bonds be issued therefor except
upon of the taxpaying electors Public utilities when
acquired will be operated under civil service rules
The elective officers the mayor. auditor treas
urer assessor clerk council county judge judges
the municipal courts with of years. except the
president of the council who is elected for years
Elections will be held the first Tuesday after the first
Monday in November in alternate years between state
elections
The charter is full of elaborate provisions for conduct
ing all of affairs the city county It is arranged
that the charter itself may amended by vote of the
people Five per of the voters may the sub
mission of any ordinance charter amendment at reg
uar election Ten per cent may call special election.
Considerable heat has been generated in the campaign
the sections relating to public ownership of utilities
The or veracious newspapers insist that
hubbub they raise it is really deafening.