The Virginia enterprise., 1909-02-26
HONE RULE CHARTER IS ADOPTED ~
COMMISSIONS

HOME RULE CHARTER IS ADOPTED ~
COMMISSIONS
Jhietee0s Out Of Fifteen Members Sign
Same Before rs nreseatatioa to
the mavoe Saturday.
The commission appointed by the
district court six months ago to
draft Home Rule Charter for Vir.
ginia completed its lahors Friday
last, afternoon and evening sessions
being held. and the measure adopt
ed by vote If eleven out of twelve
members present, the only name
among those present missing from
the document upon it's presentation
t, Mayor Hawkinson the following
day being that of w. H. Eaton.
The three members of the com
mission not present to vote on the
final adoption of the measure az
drafted. were DR.. C.. b. Lenont and
D. B. Mcdonald, who were absent
from the city. and D. +. Cuppernull'
who had returned from Duluth the
previous evening. The names, OF
Dir. Lenont and. D. Is. Cuppernull
were affixed the. following day and
appeared in conjunction with the
names of Messrs. N. +. Eapn,ng, O.
A. Poirier. rhns. Gill, John Costiu,
Jr., ". +. Hannaford. Ed ward C. A.
Johnson. c.. c. Butler, b: F. Britts,
Gust johnson, Z. +. Moore and H. J.
George upon its presentation to the
mayor the following day. aud it is
anticipated Mr.: Mcdonald will Sign
same upon his return to the city in.
asmnch as the more important pro.
visions Of the measure are known
to coincide with his views.
The charter as drafted, which will
doubtless be presented to the coun
Gil with.fa~orahiesrec menda tious
by Mayor Hawkinson. at the next
meeting, contains many provisions
which are believed to tend toward
better govern ment, and which will
effectualiy divorce the various de.
partments of municipal govern
ment from politics, making efficien-
cy in service of greater account
than political "pulI." The police
and fire departments will be under
the supervision of continuous com.
missions appointed by the council,
and the term of service ct members
in either department will be based
upon service given.
The park and library boards will
continue much as under the pres-
ent charter, with perhaps a trifle
added power and responsibility.
The provisions relative to the per
centage char rgeable to abutting
property for permanent improve
ments was the subject of cousid:
erable discussion among. members
of the commission, but an axreea-
bic basis was finally decided upon,
it being provided property shall pay
4Oper cent ofsuch inn mprovementcost,
based upon street frontage. Con-
sideration of the fact that in the
Chestnut street paving the total
cost of the improvement was assese.
ed against the property was thorn
in the-side OF certain members of
the commission. who felt that what
was good for Peter should be good
for Paul; but all recognized not
only the necessity but the public
benefit of such Improvements in
the residence districts, and the in.
justice of an assessment of $500 to
$500 against a residence lot of equal
or lesser value appealed to the bet.
ter judgment of those at first oppos.
ing the proposed percentage of as.
easements as adopted.
The charter also provides for the
initiative and referendum, placing
any policy of public import square
ly up to the people for final deter
miuation. This provision is one
which should meet with approval
by all progressive citizens.
1t is anticipated the new charter
will receive consideration at the
hands of the Council next Tueeday
evening or as soon thereafter as
may be, and that a. special election
for itsadoption and. ratification by
the people will be ordered shortly.
Prior to such election, however, the
new charter will be printed and
published, that the voters may more
fully study it's provisions before
definitely forming an sopinion.
In ita labors the Charter Commis,
sion, which was presided over by
Mr.. n. E. Tanning, was ably assist:
ed by Attorney L. NJ. Osborn, in the
capacity of legal advisor and clerk,
and the Commission feels that in
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