The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-01-28
THINKS old PLAN
THE ONLY REMEDY
ATWATER PROPOSES WAY ROUND
CHARTER DIFFICULTIES.
He Is Convinced that Home Rule
Charter Is So Far in the Future that
Minneapolis Must Return to the Spe-
cial Legislation Feature-Favors
Sherman Smith Bill. 81.

"Citizens of Minneapolis should aban-
don their efforts for home rule char
ter and endeavor to secure the passage
of a constitutional amendment authoriz-
ing special legislation for cities. +"
So says j. 3. Atwater, member Of the
of municipal science.
"In the light of experience said
Mr.. Atwater today, "the old method
of special legislation had many merits
and no Objectionable features; at least,
I don It recall any. It was simple,
direct, representative and best of all,
flexible, whereas the present method of
general legislation is cumbersome, bung
ling, unsatisfactory and unrepresenta-
tive. A home rule charter is method
for escaping the evils of general legis-
ure, f-government; but in many. re-
sspects this method has proved unsatis-
factory SO that many cities shrink from
the experiment. l hope that the Hen
nepin delegation will support the bill
introduced by Sherman S. Smith Of this
city, which provides for the submission
OF constitutional amendment restor-
ing the old order of things to cities. It
fshould be plainly understood that the
amendment relates only to cities and
does not open the door for SPECIAL legis-
latlon nor affect any city in the state
now on home rule basis.
Minneapolis is in peculiarly un-
fortunate position. It has no home rule
charter and does not seem likely to
get one. 1t can get no relief from the
legislature without running counter to
and other communities. A bill designed
for Minneapolis alone, may affect all
cities IN the same class and their repre-.
sentatives are obliged to devote much
time to matters of no interest what.
ever to their constituencies AS a result
such bill is frequently amended and
when passed is compromise unsatis
factory. to Minneapolis. Amendments
protecting other cities often affect q
preme court is full of cases involving
the validity Of acts that are virtually
special legislation.
The present system may block nee
essary legislation. A case in point is
the measure authorizing the courthouse
and city hall commissioners to issue q
second installment of bonds for contin
uing the work on the building. The law
was held to be unconstitutional by the
supreme court. On a re-argument, the
decision was reversed and the change
was undoubtedly forced by the grinding
necessity of the situation which left the
commission with an uncompleted build
ing and no means of obtaining further
funds.
"The old system was flexible ani
representative. Needed legislation was
easy to obtain. The people made know
their wants, generally at one or more
public meetings Of the delegation TIL,
measure was introduced and there wa
no interference from st. Paul or Duluth
If the law did not prove satisfactory
an opportunity for repeal or amend
how there could be a simpler method O.
obtaining legislation. ....
HThe former method was entirel,
satisfactory and it's repeal was due t,
some theorists who wanted Minnesota t.
follow the example Of New York. It i
quite improbable that any similar con
ditions will arise here and they had no
obtained when the repeal was effected. ,