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


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 codifcation Of the present char
ter and its 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 men,
bers of the commission, distinguished
from the present one very little in
principle, but very much in detail. It
is a 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
bound to transact business in a BUSH
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-
1ation 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 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 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 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 the
charter, one administrative, the other
legislative. Provision is made for the
creation of a general street fund OF
not to exceed one mill on the dollar
of valuation for the purpose of defray
ing in whole or in part the cost OF
paving, matchmaking or improving the
main thorofares Of the city. The crea
tion Of this fund is optional with the
city council. The city council is also
empowered to appoint, in lieu Of street
commissioners for the several wards
one street commissioner, who shall, un
der the direction of the city engineer
perform the duties now performed by
ward commissioners. ...s,..ss,,,.--
The legislative section is the chap
ter on franchises, which applies largely
to the future, and which appears to 4t
carefully drawn. It defines and differ
@ entiates franchises into public and pri
vate. and declares under what condi
ton they shall be granted. The powe,
to grant franchises is lodged with thu
city council, but under such restric
tions as will assure publicity. Provi
sion is also made for referendum t.
the people Of any ordinance granting
franchise.
The charter will be upon a separat,
ballot at the election, and no voter viii
4 have any excuse for not voting upol
it one way OF the other. For severa
years the district court has been ap
pointing charter commissions. It ha
already named three, and considerable
expense has been incurred in framin,
charter acts. The first charter com
missions started off with considerable
momentum and made drafts Of charter
which would have revolutionized tn
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