Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-04-04


and take the names of supposed residents
and make note of personal property, and
dogs IL any are found.
Such boys are not competent for this
service. I have asked the assessors this
year to appoint competent men in each
ward to do this work in their respective
wards: men who have been long time
residents in the wards, and who are we'll
acquainted.
We should be careful not to have the
grand list increased by a large amount
Of poll taxes which are not collectible.
DEPARTMENTS SHOULD KEEP
WITHIN BOUNDS.
There is growing tendency in some
departments to overreach the authority
given them in the charter and ordinances.
1t Is true that the charter confers gen.
eral authority, and concerning many
matters specific authority upon the COM
missioners in the care and management
of the work Of their several departments,
but this authority is chiefly administra-
tive in its character. The city council
have sole authority to inaugurate new
business, and to make any radical change
in administration that does not come
within the sphere of the ordinary care
and management of each department.
1t is not conceivable that the charter
in creating different boards Of commits
sioners has invested them with full pow
er to conduct their business restricted
only to the amount of the appropriation.
In the earlier days the affairs of the
city-except those relating to public
schools-were conducted by committees
from the board of aldermen and their
acts were in a measure subject to the
approval Of the mayor.
In recent years, until last year, COM
missioners wholly outside the executive
and legislative branches of the govern
ment have done this work, and It has
come about that the city council have
become too much a mere clerical body in
respect to the ordinary business Of the
city. This Is not due to any lack Of in
terest in the members of the council, but
to the fact that the commissioners have
got into the habit Of acting upon their
own initiative, and In some instances in
disregard Of the charter or the ordinan-
ces. This should not be so.
/ approve the amendment to the char
ter which permits the aldermen to ap-
point one of their members a member of
some of the commissions.
I think the aldermen should require
sion to attend the regular meetings of
| the board; make statements In writing
Of the, business done the month previous
| and make requests for such additional
| authority, not given by the charter or
the ordinance. as they may wish to have.
| The mayor and aldermen arc elected by
the people and are directly responsible to
| the people.
Commissioners are appointed by the
city council and both by tho spirit and
the letter Of the charter and ordinances
are directly responsible to the council.
These observations are publicly made
, In the hope and with the expectation that
all Of us officers and officials Of the city
government will this year he able to
render more efficient service
CHARTER NEEDS AMENDING.
The city charter is the organic act of
our municipal government. If the pub
lie statutes require amendments and al
! terations every two years 1t is not diff
cult to see that our charter may occa-
sionally need some amendments and al
| terations.
Some desirable amendments were made
| at the last session of the Legislature. 1t
cannot have failed to escape our attention
from the criticisms and suggestions of
the city attorney, as well as from our
| own experience, that further amend
ments are needed To my mind certain
specific powers should be added to those
enumerated In section AZ.
| Whether the charter should be rewrit-
ten entirely or only such parts of 1t as
seems to need changes is a matter for
| consideration.
The ordinances are also subject to the
same criticisms and suggestions. 1t Is
clear 70 me that some of them should be
practically rewritten. l shall at a later
date address your honorable board in
{ detail about these matters. l content
myself now in calling your attention to
them In a general way.
LIQUOR LAW TO BE ENFORCED.
We do not need to be reminded that
public opinion is intolerant OF any failure
on the part of those OF us who are
charged with the execution of the laws
and ordinances az written. ! shall per-
sonally see to 1t that the police perform
the duties imposed by law upon them,
without fear or favoritism. can as
sura the citizens there will be no failure
on INV part to have this understood be-
vo,d the possibility Of a doubt. especially
regarding the enforcement of the prohib-
itory law.
shall from time to time bring mat
tors before you which will require your
90 resuI attention and shall recommend
~ vou such action as l think should be
taken.
sho,, be ready to cooperate with you in
avsry sond work.