El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-05-13

of one member from each ward and
three at large, who are chosen as the
regular city officials are, except that
their names are placed on separate
ballot, on which no party designations
are permitted
Amendment is easier than revision
In this case the Legislative body, by
two-thirds vote may propose an
amendment, and if the amendment IS
able to command a majority OF the
votes cast at the next municipal cleo
ton. It becomes a part OF the charter.
There is also a provision in the constt-
tuition requiring that no charter shall
become a law until II Is first approved
by the governor, although 1t is proyId-
ed that the city may override his veto
By a two-thirds vote A number OF
other safe guards. such as the linita-
ton of Indebtedness and the right OF
tax-paying women to vote when ques-
lions of taxation are pending. are pro-
vfded by the constitution
Charter reform is one OF the mosy
important tendencies of the new mu-
nicipal movement. both in home rule
cities and those municipalities when
do not enjoy home rule In two years
13S cities asked the municipal experts
OF the National Municipal league to
assist them in building or rebuilding
their charters This included nearly
all the larger cities of the country and
a number OF states as we'll The pres
ent organic law OF the city Of New
York consists Of a large collection OF
statutes aggregating half a million
words. a hodge odge Of all sorts Of
laws and regulations. thrown togeth-
er by charter tinkering processes COW
ering many years. When justice
Hughes was governor Of New York he
appointed commission which drafted
a modern charter for the city. the new
instrument covering the entire situa-
ton IN 10000 words But the legisla-
ture and the governor locked horns
over the charter reform and the ques-
ton is yet unsettled.
st. Louis has had a board Of free
holders at work on a new city charter
into which it is sought to incorporate
the best ideas Of the English and Ger
man systems with those of the ad-
vanced American system. ST Paul and
Pittsburg also have been at work doc
toring their methods of government so
as to incorporate in their charters the
best lessons of municipal experience.
San Francisco has shown deep inter
est in charter reform. and the indica-
lions are that the present decade will
witness a greater era OF charter max
ing progress than any other decade in /
American municipal history.
The privilege Of home rule for cities
gives individual municipalities oppor-
tunities TO try experiments that never
would be granted a general law passed
by a state Legislature. Tt was while
acting under its home rule privilege
that Los Angeles made a notable de-
parture in municipal affairs by incor-
porating a recall provision in its char
ter That the recall has been abused
in some instances may be admitted,
and that II has not been on trial long
enough to justify a final decree in its
favor may be conceded. but on the
whole 1t has gone a long way toward
proving its case in the court of public
opinion, and It will probably become
one Of the most potent influences for
pure municipal government vet discov-
cred. II IT justffies the hopes Of its
advocates II will in itself be a sufficient
excuse for home rule. While Los An
geles has not been as successful in its
use as have some other cities, 1T is
hoped that the recall will be more a
perpetusl warning than an instrument
of frequent use.
Tho recall has been exercised often
enough TO demonstrate that the PEOPLE
who may invoke it will do so If they