Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1903-12-29
FOR A NEW CITY CHARTER.
Annapolis Business Men Form
Commission For This
Purpose.

The regular monthly meeting of the
Business Mems Association was held
last night at the Council Chamber in
the Assembly Rooms, on Duke of
Gloucester street. The regular routine
business was transacted in connection
with which was the appointment of a
committee of seven prominent citizens
to confer with similar committee of the
Business Men S Association for the pur-
pose of forming new charter for the
city.
The following gentlemen have con-
sented to serve on the citizens com
mittee Messrs. James NJ. Munroe
Robert Moss, Mayor Samuel Jones,
Frank H. Stockett, Counselor II. r.
Riley, James r. Brashears and DIR.
George Wells.
The committee of the Business
Mems Association consists of Messrs.
William H. Moss, Henry b. Myers,
Grafton ID. Ridout, John b. Flood
and John de p. Douw. There are
several things in the city charter
which are subject to necessary change.
One of the most important matters
upon which the commission will act
will be the plan for larger Annapo-
lis. 1t will be urged that some plan
be adopted for the annexation of a
number of villages which are i'm
mediately contiguous to Annapolis and
which are naturally a part of it.
Eastport is the largest of these and
has population bordering on two
thousand. Then there are German
town, West Annapolis and other
smaller places. 1t is stated that if
the boundaries are extended to take
in these places the population OF
Annapolis will be at least IA, 600, the
fourth city in population in the State.
Whether the boundaries are enlarged
or not, some plan of the redivision OF
the city wards is absolutely necessary.
The extension of the Naval Academy
has made great contraction of one
of the wards, the first, and most OF
the inhabitants of that section have
moved to the third, greatly increas-
ing it. Some plan of equalization is
absolutely necessary. One of the
most important suggestions which will
be suggested is the reformation of the
laws governing city elections. AT
present the law ON the subject is partly
the general State law, partly local acts
dDD1lCdDlc Ou1y W uAO Al
some important points the law is en-
tirely silent. This part of the charter
will be simplified. 1t is also known
that some of the members strongly
favor property qualification for the
exercise of the elective franchise in
the municipal elections.
In connection with the duties Of city
fficials it has been suggested that q
veto power be given to the Mayor
and that the Counselor shall not be
elected by the people, but by the board
and that he shall not be allowed a vote
in the City Council. 1t is not pro-
posed, however, that this shall take
effect until after the expiration of
office of the present incumbents. A
strong effort will be made to remove
the police force of the city from poll
tics. At present the policemen are ap-
pointed by each City Council as it sis
elected every two years. This means
a change of force as the political COM
plexion of the board changes. 1t S
proposed that the policemen be ap-
pointed by non-partisan commission
and that they serve during good be-
havior. 1t is also proposed that the
force be somewhat increased and that
the chief and sergeant receive an in
crease of pay. A simplification of the
law regulating the granting of liquor
licenses is also urged and other needed
reforms.