Perth Amboy evening news., 1911-04-15
CAMDEN BILL
HAS FEATURE
Initiative, Referendum al d
Recall In the Charter
for that City.
Especial Correspondence

- AR4 W A1to ANbhC
sentatives from thirty-two munich
palities in New Jersey have been
clamoring for the passage of the
commission form Of government bill,
Senator Bradley has, to a certain ex-
tent, stolen q march upon them.
Just before the session of the senate
closed on Thursday, Senator Bradley
called up senate bill No. 285. 1t
was passed without opposition and
practically no debate. Senator Brad
ley explained that 1t was a bill which
permits the city OF Camden to adopt
a new charter. This Is literally true.
At the same time it will permit num-
other cities to do likewise.
The bill of Senator Bradley pos
sesses both the recall and initia-
tive features. Under the head of
recall II provides that the holder
of any elective Office may be removed
at any time by the electors qualified
to vote for a successor of such in
cumbent. The procedure Is accord
ing to the usual recall system by
petition of twenty-five per centum
OF the entire vote of the last preced-
ing election, and the embodiment Of
a general statement of the grounds
lOf tHe IcIiONdl. IL INC petlllOu
shall be found to be sufficient the
city council has the power to fix a
day for the holding of said election,
not less than thirty days or more
than forty days from the date of the
filing of the petition.
The Initiative.
With reference to the ''initiative''
1t is provided that any proposed or
dinance may be submitted to the city
council by petition signed by electors
of the city equal In number to the
percentage hereinafter required. If
fifteen per centum of the voters
sign a petition 1t shall either be pass
ed by the city council without alter
alton within twenty days thereafter;
or, the city council shall call a spec
ial election, unless a regular NUM-.
cipal election is within ninety days
thereafter, and such ordinance shall
be submitted to the vote of the cleo
tors of the city.
If the petition is signed by not
less than ten nor no more than If
teen per centum of the electors, as
defined, then the city council shall
within twenty days, pass said ordi-
nance without change, or submit
same at the next general election
1t Is provided that the ballots used
at such an election shall contain the
words: For the ordinance 1
adopted by a majority vote the ordi
nance shall become a valid and bind
ing ordinance of the city, and it can
not be repealed or amended excep
by vote OF the people.
OWL Service Rules.
Provision is made in the bill that al
of the employees of any city taking ad
vantage Of the act shall be under civi
service rules. The fremen, police, EN-
ployes of the water, health and high
way departments shall all be under civi
service rules and examinations shall b
conducted, by q civil service board. III,
Mayor OF any city adopting the ac
of whom shall be a reputable physician
a second the city superintendent o
principal of a school, and the third
mechanical engineer. These commits
s%ioners shall receive a salary to be fxe,
by the common council. The rules ant
regulations prescribed are similar, II
many respects, to the civil service rule
In vogue under the State Civil servic,
department.
1t is provided by the bill that nj
member of the city council, elected o,
appointed, and no city employee of any
sort, shall be interested in any way II
any public utility corporation. 1t /
expressly forbidden that employees o.
the city government shall receive nj
passes, franks or free transportation o,
favors of any sort from any corpora
ton. The exceptions are policemen
and Hrappap prhon in uniform
Must Give Bond.
All of the city officers are required
to give a bond for the faithful per
Torrance of their duties, and they arr
hedged in by numerous restrictions tina
will make their positions anything bu'
a sinecure. The bill is sixty-nine page,
in size, and is a comprehensive measure
for the government of any city In the
State that cares fit to adopt it.
If the passage of this bill of Senator
Bradley's may be taken as a criterion
Of the probable action of the Senat,
on the commission form of government
it might be interpreted that the las
mentioned bill will be passed readily
However, the fact that little was sale
or known about Mr.. Bradley's bill
would make it difficult to hazard a pre-
diction as to what may be done wher
the time comes. Certainly, this meas
ure is one which is reform" without
any embellishments, and much in thu
way Of progress might be accomplished
by any city affected by it. Its passage
by the Assembly and subsequent sigma
ture by the Governor, would make il
applicable to many cities in the State.
Charged with Stealing Rope.
Albert stuber, nine years old, O.
sol State street, and Francis Man
ton, nine years old, of State stree
and Pearl place, were arrested today
by Patrolman Tonneson on com,
plant of Duncan Currie, Of Water
street, charged with stealing sons
rope. They were released on parole
for hearing Monday night.
Anne eslsyn and the Lemon.
Who aver thinks of connecting such