Evening journal., 1912-03-01
Peoples Column
COMMENT ON
new CHARTER
Impressions Gathered at the
Monday Night Meeting Of
the Civic Association
HINTS OF A DEMOCRATIC
GAME TO GUST REPUBLICANS


fair. At first, it appeared as If It was
to be a Democratic rally under Re-
publican leadership. Being pretty well
acquainted with the personnel Of both
Republican and Democratic parties,
] noticed the absence of Republicans,
also Of Democrats whom / recognize
as such. Here was a-to me-new po-
litical element.
Do you know Mr.. Editor, that there
is n distinct political physiognomy?
Well, you would have discovered that
fact at the Turn Hall meeting of Mon
day night. While seeking to locate, po-
lltically the faces Of the men near
me, some one said something that
sounded like recall Then / began
to get my bearings. Next / heard some
one ask of one of my neighbors:
well, what is the program The
answer was. we are just going to
punch it full of holes tonight
/ fancy, il the volume of applause
given attests anything, that the holes
wero punched Turn Hall was we'll
filled; a remarkably good audience
considering the weather. Mr.. Rich
ards, of the charter commission eX-
planned the intent of the proposed new
charter, prefacing his remarks with
the remarkable, for him, statement
that he did not appear there as an ad-
vOcate of the proposed charter" His
explanation occupied an hour, at least,
of the time Of the meeting. When he
closed, he was rewarded with ap-
plause from the benches occupied by
the members of the charter commits
sion. Elsewhere, there was an Ominous
silence. Then, one of the parties to
the scheme to punch it full of holes"
arose and began to advocate the re-
call When this speaker concluded
there was a thunder of applause that
made the charter commissions APP
proval OF Mr.. Richards explanation
appear like the proverbial thirty
cents
When the applause subsided, I had
discovered where ] was, and had dis
covered the Socialistic political physi-
| ognomy.
A brief discussion, questions and
answers about the constitutions and
succession Of City Council, gave Mr..
| Kurtz of the charter commission a
! brief inning. Then the Socialistic
orators took the floor and, presumably
made effective points, judging by the
applause given them. One remark l
caught that seemed to be in refer
once 10 Mr.. Richards explanation
about intent of the charter makers to
allow the people possible liberty in
| directing city affairs. The speaker,
quoting Mr. Richards, inquired:
when did It occur that legislative
bodies gave American citizens liberty?
They have it, not as a gift, but as a
right" The applause that followed
this oratorical punch out-did the
thunder and the rattle of the great
downpour of the rain
Opposition VIII be Active.
Evidently, there is to be active OPP
position to the approval of the new
charter as 1t now is. As | retired,
heard one man say THE boneyard
for the new charter"
have said all this, Mr.. Editor, to
indicate something of the popular
feeling about this new charter busi-
ness The purpose of this charter COM
mission, as explained by Mr.. Richards,
was to secure municipal government
entirely divorced from politics. That
idea is not new, so far as ] can re-
member In this locality at least, IL
has appeared as distinctly Demo-
cratic idea of reform always cropping
out when this city has apparently be-
come permanently Republican politi-
cally.
The present commission form of
government. dates, ] think, from 1882
1888. AT any rate, it Immediately fol-
lowed the election of DR. John p.
Wales as Mayor of the city, with Re
publican majority in Council. All the
city departments were then controlled
by committees of Council. The Mayor
presided i'm the City Court, the fines
imposed and collected were part of
the Mayors official salary. The reg
istrar of the Water Department was
the next best paid office in the city
and these were of course, the places
most desired by the Democratic as
pirants for office
At the next session of the State as
sembly, controlled by the Democrats
the Water Commission and the NUM-
cipal Court were established with tn,
incumbents of both offices named in
the bills creating the departments.
That was the early Democratic con
ception of non-partisan city govern
ment. Il has continued with LITTLE
change until all the city departments
/ nave fOeen commissioned.
Democratic Hopes.
Now mark the time and the condi
tions. All the city departments arr
under Republican control BY som
process of psychological optimism tn
Democrats think they will win in tn
next State election. Democratic legis
lature can be relied on to adopt an
kind of charter that will put this cit
into Democratic control, and thi
charter proposes that all the desirabl
offices are 10 be held for long term
with succession secured by the adop
tion Of the non-partisan, or non-pc
litical scheme Of city government.
Now, Mr.. Editor, does not this ne'
crarter scheme connect very naturall
with the Salisbury reform movemen
in State politics? Does the history @
politics in this State at any time wal
rant the crediting of the leaders
the Democratic party with sincerity !
reform professions? That history
simply the record Of unscrupulou
disregard Of all the amenities OF pc
litlcal fair-play and decency. The con
ditions Of every political fight OF whic
there is a record were dictated by tn
leaders Of that party. They had Great
ed a machine which adroitly turne
against them. overthrow them, an
ever since they have been crying lik
a lot Of barefoot. boys with stubbe
toes.
The point at which this propose
new charter for this city connect
with unmistakable naturisness Wit
I TOorooorotic aohornoa for reform, a. q