The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-09-30
The New Charter Acts.

GuartSI IOT Lue CITY u MluuodpOl1S
will be placed before the voters at the
coming election. This latest attempt
at charter building is the most modest
Of them all. It amounts in truth mere
1y to a codification of the present char
ter and it's presentation to the voters
in an improved and clarified form.
Lest this statement should seem like
a reflection upon the industry or ca
pacity of the commission it should be
said that the mere remodeling Of the
present charter to expel its >crudities,
imperfections and contradictions is one
which has occupied the attention of
the commission in general, and the
drafting committee in particular, for
several months. The charter draft Of
fered is, in the opinion of the mem
bers of the commission, distinguished
from the present one very little in
principle, but very much in detail. It
is council charter. It adds some
what to the powers and responsible
ties of the council, but in many ways
puts curb upon the exercise Of it's
powers.
In number of ways the council is
nesslike way. In the matter Of max
ing contracts it is bound to consult
the mayor. In the matter of street
vacations it is bound to consult the
property owners. In matters of legis-
lation it is compelled to use ordinances
where they are applicable. The slip
shod way of caring for the public
funds is disposed of by an arrange
ment which will leave the council no
excuse for not making repositories.
In the matter of succession to the
mayoralty in case of vacancy such
an impasse as was created by the
resignation of Ames being held up to
avoid the necessity of a special cleo
ton is taken care of by fixing the sue
cession to the unexpired term in the
president of the council.
The political power Of a one-term
mayor over the board of charities and
corrections is restrained by taking
him off the board, but giving him the
nomination Of one member annually
The mayor unless reelected could not
name a majority Of the board or five
members.
The absurdity Of the chief of the
fire department being an annual victim
Of the council log-rolling is cured by
giving him a two-year term like other
appointive officials.
There are many other improvements
in the method Of doing business, most
of which ought to commend themselves
to the voters. They are not striking
but they are useful and they are worth
while even were we to retain our pres
ent charter.
There are two new features in thu
charter, one administrative, the othe1
legislative. Provision is made for thu
creation of general street fund O.
not to exceed one mill on the dolla1
Of valuation for the purpose of defray
ing in whole or in part the cost O:
paving, matchmaking or improving tn,
main thorofares of the city. The crea
ton Of this fund is optional with tn,
city council. The city council is ais,
empowered to appoint, in lieu Of stree
commissioners for the several wards
one street commissioner, who shall, un
der the direction of the city engineer
perform the duties now performed b,
ward commissioners. .. -. ..... ~.
The legislative section is the chap
ter On franchises, which applies largel,
to the future, and which appears to -
carefully drawn. It defines and differ
entiates franchises into public and pr
vate. and declares under what condi
tion they shall be granted. The powe
to grant franchises is lodged with tn
city council, but under such restric
tions as will assure publicity. Prov
sion is also made for referendum t
the people Of any ordinance granting
franchise. -a
The charter will be upon a separat
ballot at the election, and no voter wi
have any excuse for not voting upo
it one way or the other. For severe
years the district court has been az
pointing charter commissions. It ha
already named three, and considerab]
expense has been incurred in framin
charter acts. The first charter con
missions started off with considerab]
momentum and made drafts of charter
which would have revolutionized til
city government They were reiecte