Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1907-01-08

Is men who meet twice a month
and who are all as innocent as babes,
but they want to point the finger OF
criticism at one man who will give
them quick action. and who will not
be able 10 say the other fellow did
IT,
Il think the charter should be
amended so that when the present
marehal shall have served the term
for which he IS elected his office be
alIed BY appointment BY my success
sor subject to confirmation by the
council, vfh power Of removal In the
hands OF the mayor His subordi-
mates should be chosen by himself
subject 10 tho approval Of the mayor
or council With power Of removal IN
the hands OF tine marshal. This
would throw the responsibility for
the proper conduct Of the police de-
partment where It should rest, on the
shoulders Of the administration.
"our policemen should have uni
forms. The sooner we get cured OF
some old fashioned notions. the bet
ter.
II would recommend that the
council provide a more methodical
system OF accounting for the Office
of recorder and treasurer. ! believe
the treasurer should not receive a
cent OF money until It Is first charged
up against him in the recorders Of
nce. The recorders books should be
a perfect check upon the treasurer.
A ledger account with each fund
should be kept In both the Offices OF
recorder and treasurer, so that
glance at the records at any time will
reveal the correct condition OF any
fund.
The council should designate the
fund against which each claim shall
apply. and not leave matter of such
Importance to the discretion OF the
recorder as at present.
There should be no such classifi-
cation OF claims as Miscellaneous
This word has no place in any cIty's
records. Each claim should be
placed under some definite head
"Ail vouchers should be num-
bered recorded and sworn to.
"The recorder should submit a re-
port to the council about once
month. showing receipts, dlsburse-
mcnts and condition Of each fund.
"The present recorder and treas
urcr are emlnently competent men,
and II Is only justice TO them that
they be furnished with the lmple-
ments for the proper conduct OF their
work
III Is next 20 impossible to find
what the law OF the city Is on any
given subject The records OF ordi-
nances are o tumble. incompletely
indcxed and loosely annotated. A
councilman IN introducing an ordi-
nance. should know what the exist
lng Law ON the subject H.. and not be
required TO spend hours rummaglng
through mass OF records In what
frequently proves n fruitless search
I hope our laws viii be codlned al
an early date and published IN PAM
phlet form Tor the use Of the public
aud officials.
"Our park commission a. surely TO
be commended Tor its share In the
otiys progress. Marion Square, the
most beautiful natural square IN the
United States has been made more
attractive, and Wilson Avenue has
been fnod. parked with pleasing
walks, tiled and made 10 grow beau
tiful flowers, whore hay grew before
and all this with a remarkable small
expenditure am a firm believer IN
hne parks as good investment any
way you view H.
Among the measures passed by
Initiative last June was our amend
INK article w. OF the state constitu-
tion, granting to the people Of cities
and towns the same Initiate and ref
eFendum powers over municipal leg
islatlon as enjoyed by the people
OF the state over state legislation.
The amendment also recites that
cities may provide for the manner OF
exercising such powers. In order
then, TO make this privilege avail
able IN Salem,' would recommend
that this council pass an enabling
act providing a mode OF procedure
under which our people may take ad-
vantage OF their rights IN the mat.
ter Respectfully submitted.