The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1903-04-02

vast amount of hard work was accom-
| plished, and the complete charter was
then adopted first section by section,
and then in it's entirety, without a dis
senting vote, and certified up to the
mayor for submission to the people, as
required by law. 1t was printed in
full by direction of the council in both
newspa pers Of the city, and special at
tention directed to it, with the ur-
gent request that every citizen pre-
serve copy for future reference.
Certainly no more open method of
procedure was possible. The COM
mission courted and invited the widest
publicity at every step. This surely
meets the charge which | understand
has been made that the charter was
framed by few men in sort of
'dark-lantern" way, and sought
to be thrust upon the people without
their knowing anything about it's pro-
visions. Nothing could be wider off
the facts.
AS to the new charter 1T retains all
that was best and practicable in the
old, without material change. The
duties of officers are more clearly set
forth than in the old. The taxation
features differ from the old only in be-
ing clearer, without giving any more
authority than the council now has in
the matter of levylng taxes. So far
as the poll tax is concerned the new
charter copies the old almost word for
word, excepting that the new leaves
out a provision in the old charter
which makes the poll tax personal
debt. The new charter on this point
is farless stringent than the old. And
further. the new charter provides
that the street commissioner must file
with the council every month an item
lied account Of everything he has
Gone during the preceding month,
and he cannot draw his pay until he
has filed such report. The old charter
has no such provision.
Another wise provision in the new
Is that the Mayor shall not divide the
responsibility for the police depart
ment with the city council. He has
absolute control of the police, can ap
point and discharge any officer with
out any interference. He alone is re-
sponsible for the good order of the
city---as is the case in nearly every
other city in the land.
There is one provision in the new
charter over which there was a differ
ence of opinion. 1t requires that the
Mayor shall approve of the action of
the council in the matter OF the pur-
chase and sale of realeState for the
city. 1t was argued that there was
no reason why the council should be
restricted in the purchase and sale of
real estate more than in the purchase
and sale of personal property, which
does not require the Mayors approval.
On the other hand it was contended
that realeSta tie was a permanent in
Vestment acquired for a specific pur.
pose, and that the Mayors approval
should be had. Furthermore il was
suggested that if the Mayor did not
have to be consulted at all three alder
men, which is majority of working
quorum, could sell the public park.
or any other piece of the city's realty.
or could purchase whatever realestate
they might desire for the city. 1t was
an honest difference Of opinion. set
tied by majority Of the commission
voting that the Mayor mus approve
or in case he did not that il would re-
quire two-thirds vote of the council to
override his objection.
The powers of the city council and
of the officers are not materially
changed in the new charter, but are
more specifically defined. In certain
cases the council is given wider powers
for the public welfare, such as build
ing inspection and approval, if they
shall deem it necessary; for the better
protection from fire and accident: for
abating nuisances; for compelling the
cleaning of sidewalks and alleys: and
for issuing miscellaneous licenses to
peddlers, jay hawkers and fakirs.
These are matters of detail, but by the
commission considered important as a
whole, although each one NAV not ap-
pear SO viewed separately. 1t should
also be borne in mind that the provi-
sions OF a charter are largely permis-
siYe only. They empower the council
to do certain things, but unless the
council shall enact ordinances reouir-
ing, compelling and prohibiting such
things the charter has no weight. A
city charter is like the constitution
of a state---it grants powers and fixes
Limitations within which the legisla-
tive and executive officers must CON
lduct business.
| am sure that every fair-minded
citizen who will take occasion to COM
pare the old charter with the new.
Il Il. a5