The evening herald. (Klamath Falls, Or.) 1906-1942, 1912-04-16

Mnnning. .SnnicrsOn Charter Reac.
,ionnry, According to Austsd
Editor Herald;
I believe you. Mr.. Editor. and the
Of your readers. have OBJ
served that those nations where tho
common people have the most say. or
where the law-mnking power Ia near.
est TO the people. are the most en-
iightened and progressive Of all civil
lied nations.
On the other hand, those countries
where the ruling power In In the
hands OF the few are the most back
ward and In all respects the most un-
desirable to live In. If that be true.
then II follows that n law or city
charter which tends TO bring tho right
To rule closer TO the people Ia good
and In keeping with a progressive
people. while one which takes the
right TO rule away from the people
and rests II In the hands Of few
such law or city charter In reaction
AIRY. and unsuited to a progressive
people. The proposed charter which
IL now being distributed among the
people OF this community to be voted
on In a few days must be put In the
last mentioned or reactionary class.
u have tried to study II for some
days past. II is anything but inter-
ostlng reading to the average citizen
80 am afraid some OF the voters VII
not read II through as carefully a.
they should. and perhaps there be
some who will throw II away after
reading a few pages. wish to urge
al voters TO study that charter care.
fully. even though II be n Disagree
able task. Take day OF. II necec-
'nrv. 10 do so. for II adopted II may
be the foundation for our city govern
iaent for years TO come.
Tut for the benefit Of those who
may not have the inclination to do sc.
! will point out a few OF It's objection
able features. and I will leave II 10
he mayors friends TO point out the
good ones-if any there be.
On page 81 you will find that the
.ouncil may decide TO change the
grade OF any street In the city. After
having decided on such changes and
,ostcd notices to that effect. the pco-
,ie living along the same street. or
Who would bc affected by such
have twenty days In which
o file n fcmonstrance. hut the coun-
~ may overrule such remonstrance
md proceed with the work. and
,hargc the cost to the property own
RS. ny reading . little further you
will find that the council has the
,ower to lay out. vacate. close or
liter any streets IN the city. and TO
and CONDEMN PRI-
'ATE PROPERTY which may be In
he way. You will also Hnd that ten
roehoiders living In ANY PART OF
HE CITY can petition the mayor
nd council for any kind OF improve
nont In any other part Of the city.
u Il paving. matchmaking or any
hing else. and II II 10 agreeable to tho
mayor and council they can order the
surveys made. After
hat n period Of fifteen days must
lapse. In which time the residents
I,ong said street or highway to be i'm
,roved or those who would have to
DOT the bill. can have the pleasure Of
.etting up a remonstrance. but again
hc council can overrule such remon.
trance. go ahead with the work a. II
,n,h,ng had happened. and assess the
,.st against the property holders.
" this becomes the law OF this city
n the ma, or needs 10 ten friends out
ide of the council-(and perhaps
wen the present mayor has that
nany). He can then. with the CO.
,peration Of the council. do anything
10 likes In the way Of street improve
nent inside OF the city. regardless OF
he wishes OF the property owners.
rhe mayor and council can decide on
What sort Of pavements shall be used
N our strets; what price to be paid
'or same. and who should have the
contract to do II. Perhaps his honor
would like to let more such contracts
IS he did to the Strange Mcguire COM
,any last year. whose bid for the
work. according to records. was e17.-
100 higher than Ransome. Crummey
which company also offered
o lay a concrete foundation under
he surface pavement and guarantee
he work for Ave years. But per-
laps the mayor had good hard rea-
ons for giving the contract to the
trange-Maguire company.
II this charter 10 voted In and
iayor Sanderson elected for two