The Detroit times., 1914-02-05
DARES VERNON
TO TAKE CHARTER
CASE TO COURT
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flaws In the new charterY Is there
any connection between his opposi-
ton and the fact that he always was
second In his ward, while under the
new charter the ward will elect only
ono alderman? Is he afraid his more
popular colleague Will retire him to
private life? Really. | wonder"
"Ir the opposition, however. is ask
ed 10 state its grounds for opposing
the new charter. there develops the
striking fact, either that the charges
are vague and intangible such as i'm
practicable Illegal. 'extravagant.
Vicious or that the charges are tri-
vial or technical. When these charges
are sifted down. they seem so trivial
that one suspects the real reason for
opposition is studiously kept secret.
as though the opponents were afraid
to expose the true ground OF opposi-
ton. Can IL be that the opposition is
afraid OF the charter? Does It's re-
quirement OF non-partisan elections
and election BY majority contain
political dynamite which the oppo-
nents fear will retire them perma-
nently 10 private life. replacing them
with efficient public servants. compe-
tent to administer Detroit's govern
ment as il should be administered?
Ferris denied that the charter Is an
amendment OF the old charter, and
hence illegal He suggested that even
Corporation Counsel Lawson's opinion
on the matter. which has been asked,
| is not conclusive and said that the SUI
preme court must decide the point be
| fore IL is at rest He then challenged
Aid. Vernon to take the matter before
the courts.
An attempt was made by the en-
emies OF the charter, Wednesday even
ing, TO make the Detroit Federation OF
| Labor rescind It's Endorsement OF the
Instrument
| II was packed" meeting The
brewery workers and the cigarmakers
we're out in force Never In the his
tory OF the federation have their dele
cations been SO large The so-called
| liberal element had laid It's plans
well. BY filling the hall with its rep
resentatives. II figured that the fedora
| ton would be caught of It's guard. and
that the liberals" would be able 10
out-vote the representatives OF the
other unions.
David s. Jones, business agent OK
the clgarmakers, who. IN the council
chamber. when the Vernon dance hall
ordinance was under discussion. Is
said to have declared that he would
not give up his glass OF beer under
any circumstances moved that the In
dorsement be rescinded. He wanted
| to substitute a resolution providing
Of charter
and vote as ne pleased President
Anderson ruled him out OF order on
the ground that the Endorsement was
not subject 10 reconsideration. He
declared that members OF the fedora
ton cannot be prevented from voting
as they please The sanitary wagon
drivers took hand in the discussion.
They said that IL had been pointed
out to them thai under the charter
they would receive only S2.25 day,
the minimum wage, whereas they now
receive S252 sam Tobin, secretary
of the citizens charter committee, re-
plied that they would not be consid-
cred unskilled labor, but would be
paid under the new charter, the pre-
yailing wage FOR teamsters. This sat
isfled the drivers \ Socialist mem
Der OF the painters union then raised
an objection, talking for his party. not
for his union. which Is strong for the
charter He. too was answered by To
lbln. and by Frank Martell. OF the
printers. both OF whom defended the
charter ably
When vote was finally taken, the
opponents OF the charter made. very
weak showing. while its upholders
fairly shook ne plaster with their
shouted Endorsement of the measure.
fathers union. No. 8. held an en-
ithusiastic meeting. Wednesday even
ing. AZ No 100 Brush-st There was
talmost a fun attendance The mem
Ebers were addressed by Charter Com.
missioner Aherp, and at the close OF
the talk indorsed the charter unani-
mously
Judge Connolly has ia sed another
,lobiection 10 \the newt Charter. RE
finds. nv saws. that the oath required
To be taken bv candidates is contrary
10 the constitution. which specifies the
oath which must be taken by prospec
rive ofico.holdcrs and stipulates that
mo- other oath can be required. he
cites the decision OF the supreme
lconr, In the case OF Dapper va. Smith,
las Michigan The court held. Ia that
case. that beyond the oath required
, by the constitution, no other limitation
can be placed on candidate Tor 90
; fee. a..
Tn an address To the employees OF the
American BlowCt Co. Thursday noon
Justice Jeffries made this answer q
jttdss Connolly. SAYING:
'T see that an eminent jurist " our
ioity has said that the comparison