The evening herald. (Klamath Falls, Or.) 1906-1942, 1912-02-09
CITY ATTORNEYS OPINION

Il IY unprejudiced person after a
"a careful perusal and study OF the
opinion OF the city charter in regard
to the proposed amendment to the city
charter providing for commission
form OF government for klamath
Falls cannot help but be imprcsscs
with the evidence OF bias on the part
OF the attorney against the charter
amendment.
The city attorney was instructed to
report on the legality OF the submis-
sion OF the petition. and while he ad-
mits that the law In this regard was
followed. "a great portion Of his report
IL confined to n discussion Of the mer-
its OF the proposed amendment. lie
intimates that the only objection to
the present charter Is that II does not
provide for u sufficient bond issue,
This may be the opinion OF the mayor
and city attorney, but we believe tina;
there are several thousand voters In
klamath Falls who are opposed to any
new charter that will enable the ad-
ministration to further burden the
people with additional debts. The
opinion Of the majority OF voters In
this respect Is the only opinion neccs-
sary. and will have more force than
the opinion OF the city attorney.
The city attorney also intimates
that the present charter Is illegal.
This Is a matter that cannot be set.
tied by any opinion. but Is one for the
supreme court to decide. but We
would like to inquire. why Is the
mayor trying TO amend an illegal
charter, by drafting one OF his own?
Some men have mania for spending
money-other peoples money-and
II would seem that this Is the trouble
OF the present administration. They
have run out OF money. and now wani
the people OF this city TO give them
more to spend. but II Is possible even
In a city as rich az Klamath Falls. to
pass the limit. and we believe that
that time has now arrived and tina,
the taxpayers OF this city will no,
consent to continue being the goat. y
Mr.. Sanderson cannot weaken the
support OF the proposed commission
form OF government, and II he thinks
that the opinion. attempting to dis
credit the proposed amendment. by
his city attorney. will gain any sup
port for his own pet charter. he will
ind himself greatly mistaken. On the
contrary. II will be the means OF
awakening the people to the necessity
OF a system OF government that will
recognize the rights OF the voters 10
a say In all matters OF public interest.
Mr.. Sanderson has had prepared
and Is having printed new charter,
at cost OF several hundreds OF dol
lars, and as a matter OF curiosity II
might well be asked. who Is going to
pay this expense? The city council,
the representatives Of the people, have
not authorizd this expense. Is Mr..
Sandrson 80 sure OF the future actions
OF his council that he feels safe that
they will pay the bill or does he In
tend to foot the bill himself? A man
drawing a salary Of 81 1000 year can
not AFFORD to dig up $500 or $500 out
of his own pocket for an expense OF
this kind unelss he has some means OF
getting II back.
There are many interesting things
about the conduct OF the affairs OF the
city that may some time be revealed
to the people. but on the matter OF the
proposed amendment for commission
government. this petition. irrespective
OF the actions OF the council. will be
presented to the people to be voted
upon at the next city election.