The evening herald. (Klamath Falls, Or.) 1906-1942, 1915-06-21
WHO WANTS A NEW MAYOR.

THIS is the headline Of an editorial
i in the Northwestern Sunday
morning. The editor of the North
western should have had no hesitancy
In saying: The cit of Klamath
Falls demands new mayor"
II Is easy enough to detect from a
reading OF the editorial that the trou-
BILE with the, editor OF the Northwest
ern is that his conception of who are
the people is at fault. He has suf-
fered so often in the past from the
same misconception that We are con-
strained to advise him to adjust his
telescope to bring into close range and
view the whole citizenship Of the city.
lest he continue to fall into irretriev-
able error in that regard.
He is not entirely happy in his COM
parison and likening of the people to
the frogs in the fable
The idea of electing mayor is in
no wise analogous to selecting a ruler
of knigh,ly attributes and powers.
The mayor has resigned. Without
a mayor the government OF the city is
II lacks the executive |
function. II is not question of saw
ing 500 a month by leaving the once i
OF mayor vacant. It Is not question
Of whether Mr.. Mathews is getting on
nne. It is not question Of giving the
council chance.
II is simply question Of living up
20 the law of the city. and giving the
people an opportunity OF selecting a
responsible head to the city govern
ment.
Important functions are delegated
to the executive department Of the
city government The people are en-
titled to have those questions and the |
power vested in the mayor !
exercised by man directly chosen to I
I'LL that position.
II is such an official who alone, !
without question as to the legality of
his acts, can exercise those delegated |
powers and functions. Section g. OF |
the charter says: that a vacancy in /
the Office of mayor shall be filled by a !
special general election"
The present charter was compiled !
by commission consisting OF c. s.
Moore. W. A. Delzell. J. w. Siemens,
Fred Melhase. o. NJ. Hector, r. H.
Dunbar. d. b. Campbell. Hunter Saw /
dge. w. o. Huson. A. A. Mehaffey
md A. l.. Leavitt, and was submitted
70 the people and by them adopted.
rhe measure received a most carefv;
scanning. and was most thoroughly
discussed by both the local press and
platform opponents and exponents. It's
adoption lifted the city out OF an in
.Olerable condition of doubt and un-
and placed it on a legal
footing.
The charter muddle Of few years
ago is still fresh In the minds of many
people, who can see In this effort on
he part OF this element who now ask:
Who Wants New Myor?" an at
empt to bring about another muddle ,
n our civic government and plunge
Is into needless strife and turmoil.
The present charter is the funda-
mental law of this city. Made SO by 4;
he will of the people. 1t is binding
like on the people, mayor and coun-
III under their oaths Of ONCE.
The powers and duties of each
branch Of the government are specific
lily enumerated and delegated. Pow
ers delegated to one branch are with
acid from the others
The editor Of the Northwestern;
'ays: ''It's all piffle, of course. The
'eople at large are not demanding a
pecial election" Again We advise an
adjustment of the editors telescope.