The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1903-02-17
THE HOUSTON CHARTER.

However It may be disguised, the bulk Of
the noisy opposition to the new city charter
is composed of the same political element
that so long burdened this community.
The new charter makes appointive instead
of elective the heads of departments, and is
simply an extension of principle obtain.
ing in the present charter under which the
chief Of the fire department the city secre-
tary the market master and the city scav'
enger are appointed by the mayor and con
frmed by the council. There is no good !
reason for the appointment OF these officers
which does not equally apply to the appoint
ment of the chief Of the police department, |
the health officer, assessor and collector !
and other departmental chiefs
The privilege of electug State and Ma
tional officers is dear to the American peo-
pie and is based on sound democratic prin.
ciples. But experience has shown that in
municipal government It is wlsest to concen-
trate responsibility To put unbrided power
in the hands of mayor would be dangerous.
hence it is provided that his appointees
shall be confirmed by the board of alder
mon who constitute an ample check upon
license or misuse Of authority.
The philosophy OF such appointment is
plain. The mayor OF city, more than a
governor or a president, is the immediate
guardian and executive Of its affairs. yet he
must work through departmental chiefs. He
! is held directly accountable for the conduct
of all departments and should therefore
have the first voice in naming the chiefs.
who, II primarily responsible to him, will
I ~ AZ he al
ton. Furthermore, such concentration Of
responsibility enables the public, to FIX the
blame or the praise for service in the most
effective manner, and removes all possibil-
ity of shifting and Sinking which are so
common under the elusive system now pre-
yailing.
Best of all, the elimination of so many elect
i've offices reduces to the minimum the per
nicious influence of the striker and the
heeler, tho peanut politician and the boss
who are the banes of municipal lite. And
this is the point which causes the most
strenuous opposition to the new charter.
About SO conspicuous an office as mayor
; popular interest Is usually alert, and It is
comparatively easy to arouse the good PEG.
J pie of the community in mayoralty cam.
pagn involving the real issues of govern.
. mont; while a race for a departmental Of.
d fee, being without such issues, resolves Il.
/ self into a contest Of getting voters and af-
fords opportunity for all sorts of bargain.
? ing 10 which the arttul politician finds his
. harvest.
Under the appolntive system bad mayor
may make matters worse by making unfit
I appointments but that fact furnishes all the
more incentive to elect an upright mayor
Besides, there is the council to reject his
unfit nominees.
+ Under the elective system, the efforts OF
:, the best mayor may be handicapped by in
capable or contrary chiefs Who have slipped
into office in a campaign conferred upon
. other issues
About this vital reform centers all the
opposition 70 the new charter except that
which grows out Of the proposal 70 extend
the city limits A tew--a very few-good
citizens who think the taxes upon theil
suburban property would be increased Out
OF proportion to the benefits of iucorpors
= ton, are unwittinsly forming the shield be
hind which the politicians are hghting
, As to the extension, It should he remarked
q in the FIRST place that the tax question fl
Ne largely exaggerated Police and Are protec
n ton which will follow Immediately ant
?. street improvement, water and sewerag,
8 which will follow in due order will enhanc,
s. the value of the property far beyond the cit.
n tax Besides, Il Is to be remembered tina
II the same limits now proposed viz, fv
ID miles square. were the boundaries of the cit,
ee from 1870 to 1874, and during that period
q. large part Of the present debt. indeed, tn
W. greater part of what is known as the oil
1t city debt, amounting 10 nearly 50 1000 0OC
RI was contracted, and this same suburban
IS, property is bound In equity to pay its prope
~ share Of interest and sinking fund upol
'e. those obligations. 1t shares today all tn
is enhancement Of values without paying an,
la part Of the expenses
he Upon the broad principle OF city growtl
he the boundaries should be extended. Hous
he ton has smaller area than any OF the priu
ciple cities of Texas and as a CONSEQUENCE
of her official population puts her in the sec
IL ond rank while her real population entitle
In her to first rank
m There is no question OF the majority oplu
nj ion Of this community being in favor OF tn
he charter as presented by the city council
IS. Eliminate those who are unwilling TO ma
re their proper share OF city taxes and thos
1T who seek to regain their political powe
ln and net a voice would be raised against I,
surely the lsElElstufs will Bat deny tbs Wis
10 OF whole people AID throttle the mast prel