Morris tribune., 1913-09-19
THE NEW CHARTER.


Morris have this week been distributed to the voters fer
perusa and discussion previous to the special election
which will be held on Sept 3Oth.
The charter is unique among city charter framed
by charter commissions in that it signed by
member of the charter commission The commission
sisted of E. ]. Jones, NJ F. Finnegan, F. A. Hancock.
John House. J. R. Kruger c. A. Dushek, F. A. Mullen,
j. H. Devenney, W. F. Cooley, NJ. B. Lord. Max Tran
tow, N. Vine, Geo. w. Beise. F. R. Putnam and F. E.
Ware. The commission has been work for about six
months.
The distinctive feature of the charter its modified
form of the commission FORM of city government The
only elective officers the and two commissioners
and the municipal Judge. The mayor and commissioners
elected for four years. except that at first is
elected for only two years. The mayor has important
duties which especially distinguish him from the other
commissioners and he is considered of the commits
soners.
The city commission the legislative body about
the common council is
The commission is also the administrative body of the
city and chooses the assessor city manager
chief of police chief of the fire department. board of
health and city attorney The city manager city clerk
and also takes charge of the streets. sidewalks
and waterworks appointing such assistants he shall
require with the consent of the commission This feat
ment in city administration which will be watched with
interest only this city, but turnout the The
central idea good that far practicable it makes
one man responsible for the conduct of all ordinary
affairs of the city. The only difficulty city of this
size would appear be to find working foreman who
can do this work. In a large city such city manager
would find his time entirely taken up in supervision but
in town of this size, he will necessarily have to do
certain amount of work himself while at the time
directing the work of To hire city manager just
oversee the street work and waterworks would of
be expensive. The city commission. however
given authority divide the duties much they
now divided, if they desire.
The salary of the city manager and other city officers
is fixed by the commission and the duties of the other
officers similar to those which obtain.
The commission required let by bid all contracts
in excess of 5000
partisan city election is held every two years
nomination being made by petition. and election being de
terned by counting both first and choice votes
is present provided by the primary law of this state
The members of the commission may be recalled (the
municipal judge is exempt from judicial reca by filing
petition signed by 25 per cent of the voters with
statement of the for the recall This brings on
special election which only the question of the recall
of this officer is voted If the officer recalled Their
announcer eecCon is nelQ 10 Ill the vacancy This form
recall commendable is separating the question of the
call from the election of successor.
Provision is also made for the initiation of ordin
petition signed by 20 per the voters anc
also for the referendum appeal the people of any
ordinance passed by the commission Except emergency
ordinancesl
The chapter city finances provides for a numbe
of city funds the of which is determined by
budget or estimate which the city manager submits Thi
will require the city commission to plan its expenditure
from each fund about year in advance, and appears
the writer unnecessarily restrictive is city of thi
size
The commission is given authority to levy assess
ments for local improvements against the property bene
fitted system of ornamental lights being added
the improvements which usually provided for in hi
way.
The chapters public domain and franchises of pub
lie utilities contain many regulatory provisions.
The chapter on Intoxicating liquors provides for tn
reduction number of saloons in the city FIVE dur
ing the year 1914 The chapter also provides for
option the question license license being decided
by the majority of the votes cast upon the question
This settles definitely what constitutes majority instead
of leaving to be fought in the it has
in other Cities
The office of justice of the peace is abolished and