The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1904-01-04
cpARKsBURG, W. VA, JAN. 4, 1901
REVISE THE CITY CHARTER.

The city council has deemed it wise
to take action looking TO an amendment
Ito the city charter so as to confer au.
thority to quarantine. That perhaps, j.
very good thing TO do, although some.
what premature, owing to the fact that
che Legislature does not meet for more
than year. 1t occurs TO the Telegram
in this particular that number of
amendments Ito the chauter is impcn
tive, if the city government is TO he NJ
with the times in efficiency and strength.
1t is not enough to confne the effort,
TO that one subject, but, to the contrary,
the entire fabric should be re-woven.
The time is at hand, when the crca.
tion OF new offices is urgent. Among
those needed is the office of food com
missioner. Another is that of public
inspector of buildings. The health de.
partment might also be given more care.
ftl attention. An economical disposition
OF city convicts should also be made.
Investigation of the demands of mod.
em city will also disclose rthe need OF
additional public departments.
The present city charter is very
hume affair, as everyone knows, who is
at all familiar with city affairs. The
powers of the Legislative and executive
departments are very limited. and. in
fact, THAT may be truthfully said Of all
the various departments, which are much
fewer than present and future occasion
requires. 1t Is so that the officers have
little authority to do anything. and also
that the city has but little power to
make them do something. 1t is a help.
less state THAT holds the progress of the
city back and handicaps our onward
march to greatness. A revision of the
caty charter along broad lines would rem.
edy this helplessness to a great extent
nnd the effect would be eleGtrifying
Under the present charter the officers
do mot feel warranted in doing MANY
things that should be done. Under ii
the people do not feel safe in compelling
dhe officers to do what ought TO be done.
NOR do the officers feel assured THAT they
have the power to make the people do
what is really essential to the proper
administration of a modern city.
There are drawbacks in most every in.
stance, all caused by the weakness Of the
city charter, which was drafted wears
ago TO govern an old sleepy town, then
without much prospect of new life and
great advancement.
These conditions being true. it is not
enough TO ask for just one amendment
nor is 1t enough to patch up the char
ter from time to time. But, to the con.
trary, it is urgent that the whole thing
should be thoroughly overhauled and
brought up to date. To do bhat IL would
be we'll, and, in fact, that il the only
thing, to appoint a committee for the
purpose and put it to work at once. That
committee need not necessarily be con
tined to members OF the city govern.
ment. Men competent both in ana out
OF the city government should be made
members of this committee, and their
respective efforts should extend over the
widest possible scope, 50 as to arrive at
conclusions that will be beneficial and
complete, both for the present and the
future.
1t is urged that the city council take
this MATTER in hand at once. and that
the next twelve months De devoted to
the work, 50 that nothing may be lack
ing when the legislature meets.