Amador ledger., 1907-04-05
A. Town Library.

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Gus and wealthy communities In
deed, the incorporation was voted by
a very slim margin, more in the way
of an experiment than anything else,
in the hope that municipal govern
ment would prove an advantage, 1t
has not yet advanced beyond the
experimental stage. Whether any
thing has been gained By, this change
is probably more. a aebateabIes point !
to day than when the voters we're
called to decide the ISSUE at the ballot
box. 1t is doubtful, if the matter
was submitted again, in the ii9bt2of 1
the short expetielice wee have had,
whether it would command majority
vote. The benefits have not material
ized according to predictions, while
the expense account is about the most
prominent thing IN evidence: Grant
ed, that it is too early yet to assert
that it is failure; that the cost of
eIf-government far out@eighs the
benefits deemed from self governed
town. We do not care to discuss this
matter just nov. But without any
prejudice one way or the other, we do
say that it behooses the city trustees
to feel the way carefully. There is
widespread feeling of disappointm ent
at the present stage Of the game, and
any nIisstep. or rash move, aimed at
the taxpaying community win tend
to aggravate this feeling.
movement has been quietly start
ed for the establishment of a town
library. We have State travelling
library in town now, and have had it
for two years. That it is appreciated
by reading folks IS not disputed. But
that the number of patrons is SO large
that they cannot be ,accomm odated
by the small number of books con-
tanned therein is not conceded. 1t
answers all the requirements at pre-
sent. We know that an agent Of the
state library was here. SOME months
back, agItating for the establishment
of town library, urging that it is
not the policy of the state library
managers to continue travelling
librari les in Incorporated towns
While the Representative of the state
library was here, "a call for meeting
was issued to sta1t movement for a
town library, and, il we are lot mis-
taken. not a single real estate owner
was present. This shows that the pro-
perty owners looked upon 'thes move
as premature. 1t does not mean that
they are averse to supporting ailocal
library when the conditions are favor
able for such establishment. But,
Notwithstanding that so little interest
was taken by those who will have to
support the library, a petition has
been quietly circulated for the necess-
ary number of signatures, and this
petition was ready to be presented to
the meeting of trustees this week.
The law on this subject, if we are:
rightly informed, seems to be OF the
lamest character 1t lis contended
that petition signed by s25 per cent
of the voters, not only authorizes,
but compels the board of city trustees
to act favora bly, thereon. Without
any further paIayer, they are required
to go to work and provide town
library. They have no discretion in
the matter. In other words, it is
contended that a minority of '6ne.
fourth of the voters ABSOLUTELY ;cons
trolls this issue, Notwithstanding that
the signers may not be taxpayers at
all. The other three fourths OF the
citizens might sign petition in
remonstrance; but it would not have
the slightest effect In other words,
the trustees who are supposed to
represent the wishes of the majority,
would in this particular. matter be
compelled to grand the request of the
small minority signers.
This construction does violence to
all our;ideas of :, constitutional law.
1t upsets the doctrine that the major 4
ity shall rule. 1t places the power in
the hands of the few against the
many. The consent of the governed
cuts no figure in government of that
kind. We confess that we do not be-
Ileve that such an Interpretation of
the law would stand the test of the
courts. We do not believe that
trustees are sborn of discretionary
powers In a question of this nature.
We can understand, that a petition
by a minority might compel govern
ing body to submit an issue to the
people at the ballot, but that such a
petition. should absolutely dictate the
situation, and compel the trustees to
levy special tax upon all property,
trips our understanding. If this
construction of the law is acted
upon, it might be we'll to test the
matter in the courts. Ihe principle
involved is vital. If property inter
ests are thus left at the mercy of
minority, We certainly have fallen
into deplolable condition by setting
up municipal government.
Wanted. = Experienced mina for emans
for Buffers, Salvador Mines Ltd, San
Sebastian, Salvador. Salary for first
year $500 per month. Second year
$500 per month. Only first class men
nond apDIv Must he ahIa to Give