The Hawaiian gazette., 1913-02-04
DISCUSS POINTS
IN CITY CHARTER
Citizens Committee Divided on
Certain Proposed Features
Endorse Recall.
From saturday Advertiser.

from saturday AdNertlecr'
Divided opinion as to certain fea-
lures Of the proposed city charter en-
bodying the commission form Of gov.
eminent developed at the meeting Of
the citizens charter committee in the
senate chamber of the capitol last
evening. The committee deliberated
and argued until late without reach.
ing decision upon the vital ques'
ton of how to elect the proposed five
commissioners, whether at large as n
commission, leaving to it the decision
as to what departments each commits
sioner shall be the chief of, or whether
they shall be elected in the first place
as the head of certain department,
as provided for in the draft Of the
charter by the subcommittee headed by
Judge Whitney, and partially acted
upon last night
One of the important points decided,
however, was that giving the city the
power to acquire and maintain water
works, light plants, telephone systems,
gas works, sewer works, power plants,
street railways and other public util-
tiles.
AS to the recall it was finally decided
| by standing vote, after considerable
discussion, that thirty per cent of the
vote cast at the previous election shall
be necessary to initiate recall move
ment, each voter having to make afiida-
Wit before the city clerk as to his
reason for desiring the recall. Also no
commissioner shall be recalled before
nine months after his election.
For Preferential Primary.
1t was also decided that primary
election bill should be drawn in CON
nection with the charter which will
embody the principles of the preferen-
tial system of voting. This would do
away with the double election and the
extra expense, while at the same time
eliminating much of the partisan fea-
lures of the present system, so far as
the municipality is concerned.
Governor Frear, as the chairman of
the committee, called the meeting to
order and there was general discus
sion upon the draft of the charter by
the subcommittee and the alternative
charter as presented by Prof w. A.
Bryan, which embodied the city man
ager plan. The committee then went
into the committee of the whole with
Mayor Fern in the chair.
Judge Whitney spoke for the simple
charter, one which all in this elector-
ate could understand. Doctor Scud-
der believed that provision should be
made in the charter for all contingen-
eies, such as the protection of life in
public buildings, especially the thea
tiers. He was also in favor of the
preferential ballot, and this plan car
ried, although the details of the legis-
lative, judicial and executive powers
of the commission were left to the com
mission.
1t was announced that w. T. Raw
Inns was now drawing up primary
law along the old lines. Governor
Frear and others spoke strongly for
the preferential primary and a resolu-
tion was passed that the committee
include a non.partisan election law in
the charter.
In the discussion over the recall Mr..
Church and Mr.. Single favored at
least fifty per cent of the voters. 1t
was finally decided that thirty per cent
with check by way of an affidavit
was sufficient to avoid abusing the
|
Mr.. Shingle referred to the Mahuka
site petitions and how easy it was to
secure signatures,
City Manager Plan.
Mr.. Church stated that he favored
commission to serve without salary,
| just as members of the harbor com
mission now do, who shall employ a
city manager, the latter to be respon-
sible to the commissioners and the
commissioners to the people. Most of
the other committeeman also favor this
plan, but realize that il would be hard
to have it adopted at this time.
Then came the discussion as to the
manner of electing the commissioners.
Governor Frear was in favor of elect.
ing at large. Judge Whitney favored
the direct election to departments. The
committee divided.
Arguments were made that by the
at-large method the commission would
be similar to the present board
of supervisors and would quar-
rel over who should head
certain departments, while three
commissioners could form combine
and run things. On the other hand
to elect five men at the head of FIVE
departments would be to elect five
little governors, each supreme in his
own department and out of touch with
the other branches of the city gov
eminent.
The point was made that personal re.
sponsibility is the basis for the com.
mission form of government.
The committee will meet again next
Friday evening.