Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-03-21


He stood then and he stands now
FOR all that inimical to the interest
Of the tax payers Of Atlanta.
THAT counciImanic charter was be
gun BY a little clique that met in his
office in the night 1t was not even
fathered under the caves Of the city
hall. The leader is no longer a city
official"
Mr.. Hopkins was referring to eX-
Councilman Aldine Chambers. During
this part Of his speech he was con-
stantly interrupted by shouts and
cheers.
This charter does not offer any re
forms" he continued It's sole pur-
pose is to FIX on your necks, without
any hope of relief this ring rule.
1T is not to be submitted TO you for
vote. according to their plan. They
want 70 make It law over your heads.
And the object Of this meeting here
tonight is to get a vote by the people
on the whole of this charter matter
We will We will" was the re-
spouse from the audience.
5sres Charter Faults.
Mr. Hopkins then told Of some Of the
faults he had found with councils re-
vamped charter and how it would
strengthen the dominance of politicians
in control OF the city government.
This councilmanic charter strikes
out civil service from the police and
Are departments" he declared The
men in those departments are now pro-
tected by a fair sort OF civil service.
Under this councilmanic charter, they
would be subject to the within OF the
boss in charge without any trial or
anything else.
The most remarkable part OF 1t is
that the man who kicks him out will
not be civilly liable.
They repeal the sanitary tax But
they would saddle on YOU the most
uiquitous clause ever drawn.
They put in a provision FOR a fec
bin for service.
Fears Fec Abuses.
Under that section an ordinance
could he drawn charging YOU 81 for a
policeman riding by your house. They
could charge YOU fee OF - cents fos
collecting your water bill
He showed how council. under this
charter. would pass on franchises with
out the people having any voice Then,
in a peroration. he pleaded that the
people assert their rights and force
council to a fair position.
- pledge YOU my word as Almightt
God is my judge that every section Of
the charter OF the committee OF % s
drawn in your interest. the interest Of
the people" he asserted. big inter-
ests came to us and urged special priv
ieges at the expense Of the remainder
Of the citizenship and We turned them
down"
John Fl WEIGH the next speaker.
made but a brief talk. He read one
OF the cards that were distributed and
urged every one to sign them.
Mayor Draws Cheers.
Mayor Woodward's speech was most
spirited. He was constantly applauded.
Il told YOU when | went into office"
be began, that was going TO inform
YOU how your affairs were being con-
Quoted. knew they were bad. but.
after a little more than two months
service, 7 am here to tell you they are
far worse than | anticipated.
The principal reason | am for this
charter is that IL makes a clean sweep
OF the men at the head OF the city gov
eminent. I go with them. But II you
should never want to re-elect me
would consider my sacrifice well worth
while
Il won't call them grafters. though |
might do IT, You have noticed in the
papers that some of the departments
have not been running right There
are others that have not been following
the law.
With our present system, though,
all I can do IS TO advertise them 20
YOU And l am going to continue 10
do that to the queens taste"
Mayors Reasons.
Mayor Woodward gave these three $
the pincipal reasons why he is FOR the
charter.
1T gets rid of every petty politician |
e II gives the people a clean. fresh
start.
1T viii stop squanaerjng Of the !
PEOPLES money, stop ost motion and fix |
sponsibnitN."
With tho reading OF the resolutions OF |
request 10 council and an explanation |
OF them In stirring talk by Judge |
Spencer r. Atkinson and the vote. the /
meeting was adjourned.
Citizens Charter Endorsed.
Here are the resolutions.
Resolved, That we do hereby ,ndorse |
the charter prepared by the citizens /
committee of twenty FIVE. and that We
do hereby request the general council |
10 enact. by ordinance. the recommen- |
dations Of the committee of twenty !
five. and duly provide for the submis- /
sion 10 the registered white voters of
this city both of said charters within |
sixty days from this date.
BE il further Resolved. That the |
charter which receives The greatest
number II votes cast a said election |
should he 10y council Transmitted toI
The 'oya representatives in tine legiS- |
lajury Win the request thai ID be Guly |
enacted - Law. without amendments
Or change