Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1907-09-30
MACHINE METHODS
Digest OF New Charter Draft.
Continued from Page one.)


| Under the proposed new charter
there will be complete change IL
| the form of civic government, II II
| Is adopted by the people at special
| election to be called for that pur.
| pose. The elective Offices will be the
mayor, auditor, now known as the
| city recorder, treasurer and mem.
bers OF the city council, one from
each of the seven wards of the city
The powers of the council will be
/ very much the same as now except
that they will be considerably elab.
GRATED upon and will be confined
principally to legislation. The elec-
tion of a president of the council is
provided for to preside in the alb.
sence of the mayor. The mayor will
be given the veto power over all ap-
propriations of money, whether by
| ordinance or resolution.
The powers given the council over
| nuisances will be elaborated upon,
| since the officers will have the au-
| thorlty to go on premises for the
| purpose OF abating a nuisance and
the cost of same will apply as a lien
| upon the property. The council will
| also be given a broader scope in the
matter of sidewalk Improvement and
| the city's authority to order and en-
| force orders for sidewalk improve
| ment and building will be strength
| ened over the present system and
there will be no question OF the
legality of the method of procedure.
Franchise Grant Limited.
The general powers are practical
ly the same as at present and the
provision Of the present charter,
permitting the acquisition of public
utilities by vote OF the people has
been retained. The granting OF pub
lie franchises will also be limited TO
maximum of 25 years. All fran
chises. too, must be published in full
In n local newspaper for at least 20
days before being granted and at the
expense of the applicant for same
There are many restricting pro-
visions In connection with the grant
ing of franchise, one N the prin-
cipal of which is that the city has
the privilege of taking over any pub
lie utility at the expiration OF the
term OF tho franchise. Also when n
corporation vacates a street II at
once reverts TO the city. All gran
tees OF franchise will be required to
make regular reports TO the city
council, showing the condition OF
the property for the purpose Of taxa
tion.
Brand New Fund System.
The new charter will provide nn
OF funds. Every appropriation
must be made for the benefit OF
a certain fund, which will be pro-
vidod for every purpose, and no
money can be spent unless the ex-
act purpose Is specifically stated
and there Is ample money In the
fund to cover the appropriation.
Among the funds provided will be
the street lighting fund; public IL
brary fund (to take care OF interest
on bonds). No money can be spent
by the council when there Is no mon
ey applicable for the purpose and
II cannot endorse warrants in the
event of n deficiency. Any member
approprating money from a fund In
which there Is a deficiency is deemed
guilty of malfeasance and adequate
Is provided beside ex-
pluslon from the council Money
cannot be transferred from one |
fund TO another.
New Administration System.
All of the administrative business |
Of the city will be transacted |
through the medium OF an executive
board 10 consist OF 3 members, 20
be appointed by the mayor who will |
act as presiding officer. The re-
ceivlng OF bids, letting of contracts,
accepting work and payment of bills
will be attended 10 by this board
except legislative matters, and this |
board will have complete charge /
ana control of all departments of
the city, including the fire, police,
streets, lighting, public buildings, H.
brary, pound, etc
All public officers, with the ex-
ception of those named as elective,
will be appointed by the executive
board, including the chief of police,
fire chief and all of the subordinate |
members of these departments, and
the hoard will be held absolutely re-
sponsible for their collective and In
iiyidual conduct Every police on
GER will he required to furnish 4
surety bond of $1,000 to $4,000 under
which they will be held responsible
Tor malconduct of an Official nature,
and, in cases OF public disorder.
such as riots, mob violence. etc, tho
mayor will act under his personal
supervision; he will also be author
Ized to appoint extra nd special off,
,ers when the occasion demands.
Powers of Executive Board.
The executive board will have con-
troll or the streets and all work OF
repair Improvement or construction