The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1904-02-12
A New Charter.
worthinston Should Have One
s~ g.. Without Further Delay.

been frequently said py those who
have taken an interest in the village
affairs, that Worthington should
have a new charter, enabling the
village affairs to be conducted in a.
way that would be more beneficial.
There are many advantages Of q
different form Of local government
over that by which this village is
governed at the present time. One
of them is the time of service of the
councilmen. Every year a new set
of officers. are elected except by
chance, some are reelected, but not
because the law requires it or be-
cause of their experience. This is
not right, especially when the finan-
cial transactions of a village assume
such a large amount. With the
present plan the officer barely be-
come familiar with the business of
the town and it's necessity and how
best to manage to the best advan-
tage. His time expires and his sue
cessor is obliged to pass through the
same experience, thus years go and
as soon as man familiarizes him
self with. the responsibilities he
must retire. 1t should be arranged
so that councilman would serve at
least two years, three would be bet-
ter. =,
/. There should be water and light
board, seperate and distinct from the
members of the council, whose du-
ties would be solely to look after
the management of this department.
By having a commission for this
purpose all of the details of opera
ton, revenue and expenses could be
carefully looked after and more ad-
vantageously and successfully oper-
ated..
A new charter should make the
Office of street commissioner an. ap-
pointive one, thus giving tie council
full authority over this department..
AS it is now, the street commission
or is elected and has more authority
than the council over the streets. If
the street commissioner does not see
tit to look after the streets as the
council desire they are powerless.
They can, of course, limit his fund
for street work, but the village
would he liable for any Indebtedness
he might incur over the allowance.
Further, there should be some act
that would enable the council to
create sinking fund. The village
needs new lookup and fire station.
There are unpaid bonds and no ar
rangement for the raising of funds
to meet them. The only arrange
ment that comes near providing a
lookup or fire station is, some one
has suggested that perhaps the Fire
Department might donate a thous-
and dollars for station and a por-
ton of the building used for lock-
up.
It has been stated when trying
some offenders of the village laws,
that proceedings must be conducted
along careful and conservative lines
for fear the odinances may be i'm
perfect and not support the proceed
ings. The ordinances Of the village
are in a deplorable condition. 1t
would take Philadelphia lawyer to
pick them out and ascertain if they
were in full force and effect. There
is case now pending in District
Court, concerning their validity and
any person brought to trial for any
misdemeanor might appeal from
verdict because of the present con-
dition Of the ordinances.
There are other points, that might
he mentioned in favor of a new
charter, which will appear later. or
course, there will he opposition to
the idea Of new charter. There is
opposition to nearly every public
movement but those who are inter-
ested in the framing and adoption OF
a new charter and know such would
be Of financial and other benefit to
progress and success Of the village
should not be daunted by weak op-
position. Push the question to
focus and secure action, there can be
no individual aggrandizment III
bringing about some decisive action,