The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1915-02-05

The Miner last week and again
this week and for the coming three
weeks will present to its readers
copies of the work of the Charter
Commission in the form of new
City Charter for the City of Ely.
The Commission has worked
hard and faithfully in getting the
matter before the public in the
specified time and in the work the
charters of several of the prosper
Gus cities of the State were brought
into play for pointers in drafting
the new code for this city. Not
only were several charters dissect-
ed to furnish materials, but the
state laws were looked up on pretty
nearly all the subjects touched
upon in the new bill.
The Charter has been pretty
thoroughly discussed on the streets
and wherever several voters have
congregated since its first publica-
ton. The opinions expressed are
varied and in some cases in favor
of the adoption and in others
against it.
The publication of the new
charter and its preparation has
cost and will cost tbs citv a con-
siderable sum and it will be for
the benefit of all to read it over
and judge for yourself as to
whether you can consistently vote
for or against it.
We admit, the new document is
not a paragon of purity as is
neither any other charter or bill
proposed by anyone. Every city
of every consequence constantly
feels the need of revising certain
obsolete sections Of its charter.
Sections, that at the time of pas
sage, filled the bill to a nicely are
made imperative by the progress
sive spirit of cities and in time
must go into the discard.
The charter under which the city
is now working was built at a time
when the progressive, go-ahead
spirit was not as manifest as it is
today in Ely. Ely has developed
from the swaddling clothes of a
backwoods village and now holds
among first places in the prosper
Gus cities of the commonwealth.
In consequence, Ely should have
up-to-d date rules for its conduct.
Whether the rules for its guidance
as laid down by the Charter Board
composed of fifteen freeholders of
the City will meet the require
ments, the voters alone will have
to decide.
According to our opinion there
are several things in the new char
ter that could be remedied and
made of more import. This is
only our opinion and our objec-
tons may not have any bearing on
the ordinary person. Again the
next person reading the document
may have contrary ideas pertaining
to another section in which we are
entirely in accord.
Each and everyone in the COM
munity may have decided opin-
ion on one or more of the several
chapters not to his liking. The
thought that is sought to convey in
this article is:
Read the charter through.
Do not read to q paragraph
that does not suit you and then
discard the uOhoLe affair as no
good. There may be only one
part that does not appeal to
you UhiIe all the balance is sat-
isfactoyy. Be liberal and broad
minded in your construction OF
the motives that UnderIie the
other FELLOW and do not con-
denim the whole UOr6 because
there is one item that does not
just suit you.
In the preparation of this char
ter. fifteen men took an active
part. We can safely say that al
all times there were fifteen differ.
ent ideas advanced on the subject
The things were talked over and
brought to vote of the board anC
the majority ruled. The result j:
the copy of the document befors
you and upon which you will b.