Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise., 1924-10-25
THE FUNCTION OF A TOWN MEETING.

THE FUNCTION OF A TOWN MEETING.
Mavor w. E. Hail. in reply editorial in recent is
sue of the Democrat, has the following to say:
81 would say they the people) do have right to de-
c;da and recommend what would be fair compensation
for any services rendered. and then incorporate it IN the
Charter at the next of the Legislature which con-
venes in 1926 and that asked for the Legs
lature has no power make changes or ruling over U.s.
except what asked for by our representatives.
This statement constitutes the whole of the controversy
Mr. Hall rights to the people to which we can not o
scribe Our stand as the editorial above referred TO as
follows:
eft is useless to appeal in this other situation
to the sovereign of the people. The People can not
override constitutions contracts charters makes changes
in the statutes proceed independently OF the law IN
tho caso Thev must attack conditions orderly way
and in this instance it is opinion the only acton
within power citizens meeting is to discuss posi-
ble change the Charter whereby the city Officials
increased and then apply of such Change @'
the meeting fohe next legislature
Mr. Hall takes the stand meeting antedate the
LEGISLATURE what changes it sees tit IN the Chaftel
afterwards submit amended document to the General AS
sembly. , . -
We might ask would happen if, in the meantime oppo
stion should to the proposed amendments oter LOW"
mos should develop strength enough to nufy preceding recon-
mendaon and entirely different charter be submitted TO our
representatives Annapolis Where would be the autho1ty
our city officials defense of their increased pay
We think the preceding dangerous in the extreme ana so
long as Mayor takes the stand ne does we can
naught but agree to disagree
We do not note at length Mayor Hairs sano OIL
the question of office seeng think everybody understands
the nature Of elections pretty WE'LL and draw their own con-
sion Of course he has right time he sees tit to
quit his whether not his tenure should measure e
of time ht stayed in But perhaps safe to say
that provisions Of the Charter to salaries was known 70
and his predecessors well before after election
We wish to this article by reminder to Mr. Hall nat
we did not second the notions and that took small part
in their preventing our stay Tor the
length We did attempt to get an 1acKeo
original motion whereby specific statement snouo
the periodic reports OF muncpa aaf
ing Just under the head OF Special Services we
failed to get to that amendment and the motion wen
through as first presented
would somewhat the possibilities
wrapped up Extra Services should all departments
of town work to the limit Our clerk our
policemen our emen street ceanersa might become I'M
bued inadequate salaries and seek
through the extra Services the fact that their
include somewhat larger figures than their supeois IN
office does not prohibit their desire for more.
would like oppose the amount suggested at the clt
zens meeting for the Mayor Councen this being
what think feeling do that in towns OF this
size the offices question sought for because of monetary
considerations.
But we refrain Mr. accord when we think
that the Charter amended disagree rights and
privileges prior change And whether his opinion
prevail really change the legal aspect of the stuato
and does not officials from possible disagreeabe re-
sponsbies should taxpayers desire to test the legality OF
present former procedure in municipal government
,$~-
SOME SUGGESTIONS.
Whenever improvements matter in what direction are