The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1903-01-12
A CHARTER FOR DALLAS
COMMISSION FEATURE TO BE SUB
MlTTED TO THE LEGISLATURE.
Somewhat Different from That Now In
Use at GalVeston--Othsr Changes
Which Are Proposed.

Dallas, Texas January lit has been
pointed out that the proposed charter
amendments reported by subcommittee No.
on amendments TO the Dallas charter
contemplate n form Of government fash
toned after the Galveston commission plan
There are, however, very material differ
enees between the Galveston charter aud
the proposed amendments to the Dallas
charter The former is much the more
comprehensive and states the powers and
duties of the commissioners with greater
mlnuteness
Under the Galveston charter three com
missioners are appointed by the governor,
one OF whom is president Of the board, and
two commissioners are elected. The Dallas
proposition contemplates the election OF
mayor and three commissioners and the ap-
pointment OF two commissioners by the
governor.
The president OF the Galveston board re-
ceives a salary OF $4,000 n year. and the
other commissioners $500 each. The Dallas
proposition contemplates that the mayor
shall receive $1,000 and the commissioners
1 $500 each.
| The Galveston charter provides that the
governor may remove the appointed com
missIoners for cause. There is no provision
for removal In the Dallas proposition.
Tho Galveston charter provides that the
board shalt nsign the commissioners to the
respective departments. II is contemplated
by thc Dallas proposition that the commits.
Sioners shall unanimously agree upon such
assignments, and, in the event they can
not unanimously agree. they are 70 decide
by lot the order IN which they may select
tho commissionerships.
The Galveston charter provides TINT oil
officers of the city shall be elected by the
board. and no right to nominate candidates
for such offices is bestowed upon any com
missioner. The Dallas proposition provides
that the commissioners In charge OF the re-
spective departments shall appoint the
heads thereof, subject TO approval by the
council.
The Galveston charter provides that the
police and Gre commissioner shall submit
the names OF persons recommended for
chiefs and members OF the police and fire
departments, from which list the board
shall select proper persons. Otherwise the
heads Of all other departments are author
lied 10 employ all laborers, except that the
superintendent Of water works Is not priyi'
legged to employ the engineers The Dallas
proposition contemplstes that the hedds OF
All departments shall employ all assistants
and aborers, subject to the approval OF the
commissioners In charge OF the respective
departments.
OF the proposed changes In the chartel
reported by other committees these arc
! the most important:
: The section raising the limit Of bonded In
60 mn 20 "A
authorizing The council to appropriate from
the general revenue for purchasing an'
/ maintaining "publc grounds and parks, a.
+ well as for the purposes already authorized
{ The section providing for the appoint
G ment Of the members Of the board Of ap
o peals By the mayor, instead OF for thei
C election as al present
. The section comforting upon the board o
g appeals authority Ito adjust and correc
7 any error In assessment or inequitnble as
+ sessments Of former years, and 80 pro rat
: the assessments where property or lots hay
e been rendered under one assessment, sue
Z adjustments and pror1tlng TO De suplee
to approval Of the council. -,
The sections relating TO the board OF cav
cation, practically segregating II from u
: other departments Of the city goyernmehl
q Under the present charter the board is r.
: ouired TO submit budget OF estimated @
! penses for the year TO the council whic
Il rhaN levy an nd yalorem tax sufnclenl
r maintain the schools for the next succeed
Il ing fiscal year, such tax not to exceed on
fourth OF / per cent per annum OF the tai
D eble values The proposed amendment pr'
Y yides that the councll shall levy for scho'
e purposes such tax as the board OF educI
- lion may direct, not to exceed three-tentn
If per cent. II IL also provided that IA
u hoard shall elect It's president from n
4. members OF the board ana that Il may d
II vacancies IN that body.