The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1916-01-28
THE PROPOSED
MUNICIPAL CHARTER.

A duly elected cHdIleI poalo VI 'iiN
CITY of Palatka has completed its Ia
bors and within a few days will pub
lish for the information of the people
the result of its deliberations.
A city's charter is its fundamental
law. 1t is to city what consti-
tuition is to state or the nation.
Under q recent law cities and towns
in Florida have the right to make and
amend their own charters. Formerly
thev had to be authorized by the leg
islature. The change is cnother move
toward the peoples rule.
On the Doth day of February the
people of Palatka will be asked to
pass on this proposed new charter.
They can ratify or reject it.
But before doing either The News
would like to suggest to citizens that
they read it-study it, rather.
Up to the present very little inter
est has been taken in the work of the
charter board, although the public has
been urged by the board to attend its
meetings, ask questions and offer sug-
gestions. Very little response has
been heard to these requests.
The people have been Indifferent,
seemingly, to this work Of charter
building. There is too much indif-
ference in Palatka in matters of local
government.
The News has not read the pro-
posed charter, but it means to do SO
before the week is completed
Through the courtesy of Attorney j
V. Walton of the board, we have been
furnished with copy. Until the
document has been studied The News
will have no comments to make. We
will read the document as matter oil
duty which we owe to ourselves as
tax payers. 1t is the same duty thai
should animate every citizen of th'
city, especially its tax paying citi
zens.
The city council-your present cit!
managers-were firmly convinced
that the city needed charter. 1t wa
convinced that city affairs should b.
managed in business-like Manner
To do this a charter was needed
Hence the organization and creation
of the charter board.
The board was composed of H. 0
Hamm, J. V. Walton, H. E. Merryday
J. H. Yelverton, Jr., and Howell A
Davis. These gentlemen, The New:
submits, after labors extending over
several months-labor which they
have performed gratuitously-are en-
titled to a respectful hearing, or read
ing. They are all men of character
and standing; they are patriotic Pa
latkans. The majority of them have
lived in the city nearly all their lives
1t is their "first love" in municipali
ties.
The News had hoped there would
be more time given for the charters
consideration. But there is reason fol
limiting that time to the Goth Of Feb
ruary. This is done so that in th'
event of its adoption or rejection
either, the authorities could make the
needed preparation for its becoming
Immediately operative, or allowing
the Mayor time to call an election
under the old form of government.
But four weeks is sufficient if The
people will get busy. Let US do tina
thing. Let us read it and discuss j
with our ncighbors. Let US make en-
quiry concerning those things we d.
not understand.
If we are going to adopt it, let u
do so with our eyes open. If we ar
going to reject it let US do so in III
full knowledge of what we are doing
On Monday night, February TIL
the Patlatka board of trade will hol
a public meeting for a discussion 0
this charter. Not only members o
the board, but citizens generally ar
invited to attend this meeting an
voice their views-either for o
against.
The charter would make tw
pages of The Palatka News, possibl
much more, end therefore this pape
cannot afford to publish the documen
in full for information. No provisio
has been made for its publication i
this paper, and neither was this pape
given an opportunity to make biz
But The News will, the coming weel
publish synopsis of the charter, an
in so far as its space will permit, wi
welcome communications pertaining t
its provisions.
Viii n