The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1919-01-20
| \ ASSISTANT to the atiofnsy general has

A n ASSISTANT 10 the attorney general has
IA given an opinion stating that the Albuquer'
= que charter is IN conflict with the state con
siituiion. This has been generally agreed FOR some
time or since the state supreme court, In determin-
ing the validity of the Water Works bonds. init
mated that certain powers extended 90 the conl.
missioner under the charter, were outside the state
constitutional restrictions a. TO delegaiing legisla-
tive authority.
II should be kent clearly in mind, however,
that both the attorney general and the supreme
court make II plain that the present commission
government u q de facto government. that it's au-
thority 10 act Is established, and that IFS actions
are legal. The impression that we have a city gov
eminent here which is acting without authority or
Illegally, should not he permitted 20 get abroad.
Such is not the case. The responsibility Of the pres
emf city government has never been questioned By
any responsible authority.
There are defects in the present charter.
Those defects were pointed out when IL was drawn
and offered 10 the people. The defects should have
been corrected before the charter was voted upon.
The people adopted the charter aud the present
form Of government, in spite Of defects, because
they were IN favor Of the commission form Of gov
eminent in principle.
Every thing the Herald has been able 10 find
out indicates that our people are still in favor Of
the commission form Of government, aud that they
are opposed 20 change. The defects In the present
charter can be corrected. That should be done.
ANA wv NMNNNA ANAN ENNAAH W - 49, AAWAR ~
condition Of change aud agitation Tor change m
the local government. The present city commission
has made progress. II will make more progress. II
IL a strong commission. with the ability, the public
spirit and IN, will TO put this city on a sound hnan.
cial and a successful operating basis. Left 10 work
out is plans, IL will do ~.
The suggestion, growing out Of defects in the
charter. Of a return 10 the old aldermanic form Of
government, we DO not believe 10 find favor with
the vast majority Of the people. Albuquerque grew
and p~rospered under the aldcrmanic form. We had
public spirited mayors and aldermen AZ least part
81 the time. But we grew in spite Of the system,
not because Of Il. The system " bad. Nothing bu,
the public spirit Of the men who made mp our old
city governments kept the system from establishing
evils Of a serious nature.
This fact, also, must he kcpt in mind. The
Albuquerque " the aldcrmanic government was q
village. Albuquerque outgrcw the system. That Is
why the people wanted IL changed aud our govern.
men, modcrnizedi and that IS why they accepted
a charter which many knew TO be- defective.
In the old days Of the early Albuquerque men
could be found who were willing 20 give time,
brains aud ability TO the public service without
pay. There are still plenty of such men among us
The present commissioners are serving without pay.
But the city of Albuquerque has grown too big
90 leave the detail of its management 10 unpaid
men. We need patriotism in our city government
but we must pay for il actual executive detail. II
we eau fix our revenue matters 50 that the present
commissioners can have sufficient funds Ia work
with they will get results. We will even lind that
we can worry along with the charter ms l. stands
although II should be fixed.
This is no time 10 rock the boat in Albuquerque