Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-02-26
CHARTERLIKELY
TO BE CHANGED
IN Committee
Numerous Amendments to Plan
of Convention to Be Offered
In Legislature

II
ter, now before the legislature In
bill introduced in the house by Rep
resentatiye Lorrin Andrews. Is to be
widely amended, with some sections
revised and others deleted, before II
finally passes with the approval OF
the legislators, IL il passes at all.
IL there is to be a fight In the legis-
lature over the city charter, as Il Is
expected there will be, IL will be over
these amendments, although those
who will have the final say as regards
the measure predict that the possible
fight will be neither bitter nor lengthy.
Reference Agreed Upon
Immediate reference to the Oahu
delegation undoubtedly will be the
disposition OF the charter bill when
II comes before the house on second
reading. II is understood this action
already has been agreed upon. With
the report OF the delegation on the
charter, arguments for or against the
measure will be heard on the floor.
The Star-Bulletin is informed upon
good authority that the Oahu delega,
ton already has agreed upon certain
amendments to the charter before "
finally comes before the house for its
final reading.
Appointment Of Magistrates a
That feature OF the charter which
provides that district magistrates
shall be appointed by the mayor-a
feature that has been strenuously
bncked by some parts of the house
Is to go out, 1t has been agreed.
A bill already has been introduced
In the house which provides that dis
trict magistrates shall be appointed by
the chief justice Of the supreme court.
The section relating to the appoint
ment of magistrates. the Star-Buiie-
tin is informed, was put into the char
ter because of a former act which took
this appointiye power away from the
chief Justice and gave II to the gov
ernor. II is now the unanimous senti-
ment of the Oahu delegation, and II
has been agreed, that this power
should again revert to the chief JUS
tice.
More Money for Counties
AS regards taxation. it has been de-
cided by the Oahu delegation to adj
vocate one taxation bureau run by the
territory. as at present, but with an
agreement to an arrangement giving
the counties a greater percentage or
the taxes than they are now receiving.
Representative C. H. Cooke has been
assigned by the delegation TO work
out this rather difficult feature Of the
charter. essa,. ~.
Public Works superintendent
Another proposed amendment, one,
1T is reported. that already has been.
agreed to, relates to the superintendent
of city works. This amendment re-
ouires that the superintendent be g.
man of known executive ability and
that, within 10 days from his nomina-
ton. he shall file with the city clerk
a bond In the sum of $4,000 as evil
dence Of intended faithful perform
ance OF his duties II elected. This,
say members of the delegation. viii
prevent the nomination of any ire
eponsible persons.
That section of the charter relating
10 the recall is proposed to be amend
ed by requiring individual petitions,
signed before the city clerk, by each
voter desiring recall. As the char
ter now stands provision is made for
q petition filed by 80 per cent of the
voters. II is thought that. under the
proposed amendment, agitators of a
recall will be prevented from peddling
petitions and securing signatures OF
persons who know nothing Of the issue
at stake.
Another proposed amendment pro-
vides that the power OF appointment o.
The city purchasing agent be, taken
from tho auditor and given to the
mayor. In this connection II is beliey-
ed that, as the auditor checks all ace
counts, he should not have q man in
his department who Is mourning bills
Election Of Supervisors
II has been further agreed by the
delegation, the StartBRlletin is in
formed, to amend the charter TO pro-
vide for the election of three super
visors from the fourth district and
three from the fifth.
Another movement on foot provides
fer the election OF deputy sheriffs in
the outside district, instead of their
appointment by the sheriff 1t is fur
Their suggested that the office of sher
III be done away with and that the
office Of chief OF police be created. It
Is proposed to have police commits
sioners instead of a sheriff. with
chief OF police appointed BY the com
mission These commissioners would
be elected
Public Meeting Called $50.
The Oahu delegation in the house
OF representatives to whom has been |
referred the proposed new city char
ter. has called public hearing on the |
charter for next "Wednesday evening
at 1880 o'clock in the assembly hall of |
the house in the executive building. |
The public is cordially invited.
; Rep. Gerrit p. Wilder. chairman OF |
the Oahu delegation. viii preside and |
several Will speak on the various pro-
visions.
Al a meeting of the delegation at |
noon today IL was decided to begin |
work immediately on the charter. The |
first meeting will be next Thursday |