Evening journal., 1905-03-11
COULD NOT AGREE ON
CITY CHARTER CHANGES
CONTINUED from First Page,


act for the benefit Of any political
party
Under the charter two years ago
the terms OF the mayor and members
Of Council were fixed for four years
and about half Of Council would hold
over. The present charter only pro-
vides for two-year terms and practi-
cally the entire city government would
change every two years as there would
be no hold overs.
The old Board Of Trade charter con-
tanned a clause in regard TO police Of
ficers. The purpose was TO prevent
any policeman from taking part IN po-
iitleal affairs. Mr. Bancroft was OF
the opinion that the new charter also
contains such a provision.
The old bill proposed that the city
solicitor be appointed by the mayor and
this act proposes that he be elected.
One OF the most radical differences,
Mr.. Bancroft said. was IN the provis-
lions for the election OF councilmen. The
old bill provided that five members Of
Council be elected at large. The bill
lnow at Dover asks for three additional
wards. which would make fifteen coun-
lcilmen but none of them are 70 be
elected at large.
Mr.. Baynard's Statement.
Samuel II. Baynard did not think It
was so much OF a discussion as to what
to have two years hence as to what we
may have before the 2Sd of this month
He said as long as partisanship enters
into the election Of legislatures. so long
will there be politics IN legislation, as
neither party will surrender anything
it holds.
He favored making the wards CORE
spond to the legislative districts, be.
cause there are two Republican, two
Democratic and one doubtful district
The members Of Council and Of th'
Board OF Education should be composeS
iof three members from each OF the tivl
wards with the president OF each bod.
elected at large.
= Mr. Baynard thought both the pres
lidents OF city Council and the Board o
Education should be elected at large
It would be impossible he said to Sc
cure an ideal term. but II the bod
J. should agree on something and thor
l. oughly explain it to the Legislature W
h may be able to get It by March %.
Sc Mr.. Brinckle suggested that mum
" Der OF changes be made to the propose
le charter and then try to secure its pas
r sage. After that ne said the peopl
l. could work for better charter for tw
r. years from now.
p Mr.. Brinckle objected to the mayo
b, and other city officers going out Of Of
L flee every two years. He also object
r ed to the board OF assessment and ar
se peals consisting OF the four assessor
IrI In
charter now at Dover.
Register Of Wills Bach's Talk.
Register Of Wills Frederick +. Bao
IL made some remarks on the variot
h. points brought out. He said he ha
10, nothing TO do with the proposed char
ID er and had read it but once. Mr.. Bac
m was Of the opinion that all OF he'obje,
e. tlons could be remedied.
o. He favored terms Of four years Il
as oouncilmen with some Of them hoIdr
he over He also favored the election
he 1.-THE comptroller and city solicitor az
~ pointed out that Folk. of St Louis. az
t. Jerome, Of New York, were elected
the people. If the places had been he
by men appointed by mayors, tn
ol- would have done as the mayors d
or lsired. The speaker favored making Il
IA wards equal IN size and allowing Il
Ic- people Of those districts to select the
~ own representatives There Is me-
n of a new assessment system for Il
Ipresent one is the weakest point Of Il
present city government
Oh Colonel Moore suggested that q
nd charter be taken up by sections, but
ok was thought it would take too long.
Patrick Neary stated that he col
sidered the five Representative distric
= about as equally divided as could be
- a city Of $4,000.
Mr. Chandler again called attenti,
to the fact that the object OF the NEE
ing was to consider the charter no
proposed. He understood there was
chance Of the charter passing.
- Mr. England Withdrew his motion
= the appointment Of a committee so tn
ID a vote might be taken I'm the differe
changes desired in the bill.
Mr.. Reeds Notion.
Mr.. Reed moved that there be &
teen councilmen elected, two each fro
the five Representative districts al
= ave at large.
Mr.. Baynard said il would be impo
~ - sible to get such a bill through wi
five councilmen at large. as the Der
PEI ocrats would not vote for it. becau
- ~, It would give Council to the Repub
cans.
=, Mr. Reed said: I'VE better not ha
~, new charter If we have to ask o
political party as to what We can &c
Wilmer Palmer said he agreed WI
Mr.. Reed. He also thought II
people would come to some agreeme
among themselves as to what III
-. want and go to the Legislature II
= could get Il.
IN Mr. Reeds motion was voted on a
carried sby vote OF 46 to s5.i Anotl
vote wac asked for but before IL v
taken Mr.. England moved 10 ame
It Jy electing three councilmen fr
each Representative district. 2
amendment was lost by vote OF
to 26.
- Daniel O'Neal said they were vot
'eO on something they could not possi
get through the Legislature. He s
. the vote on this floor is almost stri
ly partisan and you could expect no
ing else by the members of the Les
lature. The Democrats would
chumps to vote for ii.