The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-05-20
HOME RULE in FAVOR.
New Charter Commission Generally
Thinks That Is the Proper
Basis.
There Is Also a Disposition to Make
the New Instrument
Simple.

Home rule" will be the watchword Of
the new charter commission In redrafting
the instrument under which Minneapolis
is now governed so as to adapt it to the
present needs Of the community In dis.
cussing with members Of the commission
the features Of a new charter which are
regarded as Of paramount Importance,
there seemed to be a unanimity Of opinion
favoring the home rule provision.
The members interviewed say they
speak for their colleagues in declaring
that the matter Of vital Importance to the
city of Minneapolis in redrafting q char
ter is above all to incorporate in that
document a clause which shall allow the
city to govern itself and to porvide the
special legislation known to be neces-
sary to suit local conditions.
Said Charles "a. Daily, temporary presi-
dent of the new charter commission:
1T Is absolutely necessary for Mime
apolis to be governed on home rule
basis, and the sooner the better. Going
as we must to the state legislature and
asking relief from men who have, only
a vague idea of our requirements and
who consequently are not in position
to enact laws adapted to our wants, we
are necessarily handkerchief by their
views and action based on the situation
in other cities Of the state, which bears
little resemblance to the conditions THAT
confront us. Under the present system,
the mayor. and the council can work only
subject to general legislation as we can
secure it from the state. But establish
ing our government on the home rule
basis will make Of our mayor and coun-
Gil what the president and congress are
to the country, the governor and the
legislature to the state. I am heartily n
favor of home rule for this great city
and that seems to be the opinion of my
associates on the charter commission. So
far as my observation goes, the present
commission seems to be conservative
body and the people may rest assured
that no radical action is contemplated in
framing the new charter but what will
give to the people and to the authorities
power to control themselves without ask
ing that right from other sources, not di-
rectly interested In our local matters.
II will be the purpose Of the commits
sion. when permanently organized to in
vite the mayor, city officials and the
council to attend our sessions, cooperate
with us and work in harmony with our
organization in. the interests OF charter
which will stand the test when the peo-
pie come to vote upon it, +.
II :, w. H. Donahue said that it should be
the purpose Of the new commission to
re-enact the old charter, with few modi-
hcations, with home rule chiefly in mind.
provide for spring elections, which would
reflect the general sentiment, and per-
haps for civil service as applied to the
police and fire departments.
TT will be the disposition Of this com
mission" said Mr.. Donahue, Ito change
the last charter rejected by the people as
little as possible. About every one who
has studied 1t whose selfish interests may
not be directly opposed to it; admits that
the last charter drafted was an admir-
able document. 1T should be our aim to
enact q few important amendments to the
original pursuant to. the law. 4ltfsess5. z 81
IF four sevenths OF the voters :ratify
the draft, the same will . be operative
within thirty days thereafter. It would
require three fourths Of the voters to
pass an amendment extending the patrol
limits. The amendments must be made
first by publishing them for thirty days
in the newspapers. It shall require three
fifths of the charter commission to ratify
an amendment and three fourt1ls to COM
pei the submission Of the amendment to
the people. n.
7 believe that the other charters were
we'll drawn. The reason they were de-
feated was that the people didn't under
stand them and certain interests purpose
~ misrepresented them.
B. F.. Nelson: "We want home rule
That Is the fact to be borne constantly
in mind just now That is the charter
provision which chiefly concerns Mime
apolis. We want the opportunity to
change our local regulations without ask
ing permission from disinterested parties
The corporations will undoubtedly oppose
home rule but that should not influence
us against the need Of the hour. Mime
apolis also wants separate elections, for
which an amendment to the charter
should provide. The reason why the
other charters failed to pass was that
they were loaded down with changes
which the voters could not readily COM
prehend. What we should do is to SCI
cure the enactment Of amendments from
time to time until we have a charter
nicely adapted to our requirements. II
we tack Son few :importants amendments
to the rejected charter am confident
that it will be adopted by the people, If
we attempt to amend it so as to suit every
one all at once it will surely fail as 1t
has twice before 80