The evening herald. (Klamath Falls, Or.) 1906-1942, 1912-04-16
IGNORING THE RIGHTS OF THE
PEOPLE

\ u VERY clever scheme to deprive
3 = the citizens OF klamath Falls Of
their right and privilege OF voting on
the proposed commission form charter
has been exposed In the manipuia-
tions OF the mayor and city attorney
In hoodwinking the council In ordain-
ing their self-made charter aud auth
oriring Its submission to tho people of
klamath Falls at a special election.
held prior to the regular election.
The Sanderson- Manning charter was
passed under an emergency clause by
the council. and gics into effect two
days after Its adoption by the people.
This measure provides for the first
election under Its provisions to be
held on the third Monday In May.
while the petition for the commission
charter is submitted under the pres
ent charter. and Is to be voted on on
May 9Th. or the first Monday In May.
II the sanderson charter is passed Its
provisions will govern In the matter
OF elections, and there will be no
election on May 6th. and therefore no
opportunity for the voters to express
their wishes In regard TO the commis-
sion charter.
II Is quite evident that City Attor-
pey Manning and Mayor Sanderson
have carefully planned this matter to
prevent the people from adopting the
commission charter. Instead OF put
ting their own charter up ms a COM
petitive measure and permitting tho
people to take their choice OF the two
measures. everything that could be
thought OF has been done to prevent
the measure going to the people.
Mr.. Manning did not act fair and
for the best interests OF the people
when he took the floor at thecouncil
meeting and made personal matter
OF the question and argued against
the council ordaining the commission
form Of charter and submitting Il to
the people. The entire council at a
previous meeting. when Manning was
not present. expressed a willingness
to permit the measure to 20 before
the people In a proper manner. and
passed u resolution authorizing the
city attorney to draw up the neces-
sary instrument. SO that the council
could ordain the measure. Instead
Of carrying out the instructions OF the
council. Mr.. Manning. at the next ses-
sion. proceeded to argue the question
OF the merits Of the proposed charter.
and with the broad and unfounded ,
statement that the measure was full |
OF errors. succeeded In blufiing the 4
into taking no action In the /
matter.
Following this he and Mr.. Sander
son got up charter of their own.
and on the plea OF q necessity for
haste. succeeded In getting the coun-
ell to pass their measure before the
OF that body had any time to
consider any Of the pro-
visions contained therein. The petit
tion OF 2l9 voters and citizens OF
klamath Falls. whose names appear
I'D on the commission charter did not
receive any consideration from Mayor
Their wishes have been
entirely ignored. and he proceeded to
change the time Of election. so that
IN case his charter carried ut the spe-
:ial election there would be no op-
portunity for the people TO vote on
he commission charter. II Mayor
can find opportunity. un-
Ter the present charter. to thus take
Of the rights Of the people.
What would he be able to do under a
charter OF his own making? We do
lot believe that the people OF Klam-
lth Falls are going to throw away
What few rights they have under the
I'D charter by passing one which 10
lothing more than private instru-
nent compiled for the convenience
md benefit OF the present mayor, In
ase he should succeed In being re-
lected or continuing In control Of
he city government.
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