The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1909-06-23
LOS cAARTER AMENDMENTs


ton q old ones are matters that have
to do With every citizen-from those
OF the humblest and poorest TO those
Of the migftiest and the gealthiest.
For these very brief reasons we were
pleased to approve The action Of
Mayor Hopkins ia inviting meeting
OF the people generally to talk over
and consider the subject. It was a
| departure from the old custom here
in Brunswick: and whatever be the
cause responsible for the new preee-
dent, It is a good one and ought to
be commended by the public at large.
Many and many OF our people viii
recall in the past that we have had
legislation fastened upon US without
our knowledge much Jess our COM
mon consent. We recall one in
stance wherein an official OF one of ne
courts was actually legislated into a
retention of his Office for four long
years and the public knew it not
until the legislature had adjourned,
So much for the privilege OF say
ing what laws we want remodeled;
now for the ones suggested at the
meeting on Monday night An alb
stract propositions most Of the sug-
gestions, with certain notifications
which would necessarily have to come
in the matter of drafting. are good
ones. The movement to give en-
larged and plenary powers to the
board Of health is a good one. While
we are opposed to the members Of
that organization being named by the
state, yet we favor the plan to make
IT, in a fashion, INDEPENDENT from the
city council. It would be a blow at
local self government to place the
appointment OF its members ia the
hands of the state. We have always
cen opposed to this reprehenslbia
custom OF council depriyius the mayor
Of the functions OF his office. As
evidence of this statement We call IN
testimony our files for the past ten
years. We deprecated it in the case
OF Mayor Croyatt; we did so in the
case OF Mayor symons. and we are do
ing SO now IN the case Of Mayor
Hopkins.
The mayor is the Official head Of
the atty. He should be 50 in fact as
wen as in name and he should have
delegated to him charter rights to
protect him in the use Of such power
given him BY the people. The veto
power is secondary consideration.
but the mayors of most cities are
clothed with it and We see no oh
lection 10 such condition in Bruins
wick. Our opposition % the pressn
ward system is another case of sim
Die consistency We We're opposed to
the plan when It was suggested last
year as We stated time anu time again
at that time, and It's operation has
not served to change our mind
Brunswick is entirely too small 70 SO
10 The ward system. It's better for
her members of council 10 be select
ed with a view Of their fitness for
aldermanic position rather than
whence they come. It's better for the
individual members Of the body to
concentrate their energy and their
ability 10 the general affairs Of the
city rather than to any particular por-
ton Of it. Its better Tor every mem
her of council to be accountable tel
all Of the people for their official con-
duct rather than TO those residing in
their immediate neighborhood. An
other amendment which looks tame
and trihing is far-reaching and SEN
sible. We refer TO the one that calls
for The advertisement OF the full spe-
cifc amendment proposed for a per-
iod Of thirty days instead q blan-
ket form as is the case At present
which can be and hes been nsed e
conceal the real meaning OF ptos2sed
| legislation.
| iii rest Of tie amendments sus-
gested are miner matters An aetiFe
park and uee oammiss on e9a.d be
made 70 lo great work fot tAe ely.
I Couaea should BE unitarm in tAe Sc
lection ag ga city eaieials oad under
present circumstances it IS probably
wen that the city have The power 70
deed in fee simple the Hillsboro