New-York tribune., 1907-09-16
NEW CHICAGO CHARTER.
Republicans Predict It's 4dOptlOn at
Election TO-mOrrO7C.
rBy Telegraph 10 The Trihune. ]

TBy Telegraph The Tribune
Chicago. Sept. 15.-ChiCago's proposed char
ter will he submitted TO the electors at the polls
next Tuesday the Republicans. under the leader
ship Of Mayor Fred A. Busse and Governor Charles
s Deneen are confident that it will be adopted by
an overwhelming vote The Democrats. led by
Judge Edward F. Dunno. whom Mr. Busse defeated
last spring for reelection Mayor. predict that
the charter will be showed under by avalanche
Of negative votes. Impartial and conservative
observers are of the opinion that Mayor Russe is
better prophet than Judge Dunno
Mayor Busse declares. in a signed statement.
made public yesterday. that the new charter which
IS the creation of a Republican legislature at
Springfield, means liberty progress and prestige
for the people Of Chicago Of to-day. and of to-mor-
row. and of the future" In this opinion he is sup
ported by both press and pulpit with substantial
unanmity.
Judge Dunno is equally positive in his opposition.
His chief arguments against the adoption of the
new charter that in his opinion il Will enable
the rich TO avoid paying just rentals for the of
public property greatly increase the burden of tax
alton. swell by s6oca.eA the city's bonded indebted
and deal a death blow TO civil service reform.
During the last years. what is commonly
known the independent vote has decided the
result of local elections in Chicago. Through its
medium Carter H. Harrison kept in the may
orally for three terms. because the independent Re
publiCans would not support a municipal ticket
framed by a so-Called machine" convention.
Judge Dunno was elected Mayor largely through
the same influence. Then the tide turned with the
election Of Mr.. Busse, who has an unblemished
record as a public official. the mayoralty closely
following his term State Treasurer, TO which
latter Office he elected by unprecedented
ma jority. The independent voters who accom-
plished all thisthe silent, waistcoat-pocket voters
are confidently counted upon by the city and state
administrations to swing the election pendulum
emphauCally for the new charter next Tuesday.
The executive committee of the Republican Coun-
II Central COMMITTEES has mailed every voter in
Chicago a pamphlet containing twenty reasons why.
in its opinion the charter should have their support
at the polls These reasons are summarized thus:
/ II is a home rule instrument. granting tho
City Council power to change al local laws except
on public utilities, taxation and scJlools) 6y oTll-
nance submitted TO the people for referendum ap-
It concentrates the power of tax levy for city
park school anl library purposes IN the City Coun-
Gil and limits such taxation TO per cent of the
that the Counc viii first provide for the most ur-
gent needs Of the people and then pass on TO other
It provides that the people may nay $ through Ia the
Council and q referendum vote tall boHd issues
must be by referendum approval), issue bonds up
per cent OF the total Of the actual valuation or
nit the erection Of new schools bridges viaducts
sewers and the equitable distribution OF the cost
over a period OF twenty years. 49, -
systems, which will be conducted under one board
I'll .t ~ IL, III ~ - % ~ ~ e1,,eI GeaIonrSnt
of parks under board of nine, three OF It's meln-
wards cpn3rjr rb resTonsbjIifl, for each wards
welfare on one Council member. and paying "ach
alderman $4,000 a year, salary which Will enable
s. II provides for the removal Of CIVIL Service
employees who detrimental to the service upon
written charges fled by the head Of the depart
ment, but guards against arbitrary and unjust re-
movals by allowing trial at the discretion OF the
merit board. which has final say to removals
and making entrance to The service possible only
Z II extends the Civil Service act over park en-
s. 1t establishes the merit system in the teach
ing force Of the public schools. doing away with
9. 1t gives the people the last word all long
ordnance providing that the Council must submit
them TO the referendum upon petition by 10 per
OF the voters, and must be controlled by the
result Of the referendum
crate 10 u or e9eS aoer6 s ali Pe pc f es i cGdn % pers
IL 1t provides that after a street or alley has
more than 30 per cent may be assessed against
the property for repairs.
wheel TAX, Which must be expended exclusively in
the maintenance of streets and alleys .,.,
of the smoke nuisance. by allowing the city to
bring injunction proceedings in the municipal court
prohibit nusances in general. and to make con-
nections with outside OF the city, or ar
thus aiming betterrnent of health conditions
Is. II makes mandatory the turning over OF all
interest on city funds into the public treasury
1s. It limits the compensation OF city off1ciaIs
and employees TO their legal salaries. ana pro
hibits them from selling to or buying nom mo
Il It gives the Council the right to investigate
testimony Of Witnesses and the production or all
IL IT gives the city power to take care Of the
poor and helpless by hospitals. poor farms ana
Ig IT leaves all ordinances and laws regarding
the liquor traffic precisely where they now are
% II is probably the only opportunity for chi
cago TO secure complete system OF local self
government which will present itself for many
Years.
Leaders on both sides making unusual efforts
TO get the electors the polls. and largo vote Is
&c result