Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-08-09
INFLUENCE OF
POLITICS IS
CUT BY PLAN
City To Vote On IL
Proposals Here
Wednesday

Increased business efficiency and
minimizing power or politics In adj
m~inistratiOn OF city government are
the chief objects OF the II charter
amendments to be voted upon here
Wednesday. according 10 j. II. Cana
les. city attorney.
Brownsville has outr-own many
phases or the old charter, but the
amendments would give her perhaps
the most modern charter in the
state, CanaleS states.
Manager Responsible.
The amendments would tighten up
the business reigns OF the city and
place them in the hands Of the city
manager. He Is made directly res
pOnSible 70 the city commission for
the efficiency on inefficienCy with
which affairs OF the city are on
Quoted.
As for politics the chamber OF COM
merce Is taken out Of this phase by
long-teTm appointment or directors.
A definite system Of nominating
candidates for city offices III pro-
vided assuring any faction of plac-
ing names OF its candidates on the
ticket. Under the old plan II was
possible 10 freeze out" candidates
although Il was never done. Nepot-
ism Is more clearly defined In an
other amendment.
The changes and objects OF the
propositions as explained by Canales
are set out below.
Proposals Outlined.
Proposition One.-This would ex-
tend the city boundary from the
banks Of the Rio Grande TO the
center or the river. This IN being
done 70 take in tax valuations or
structures into or over the Rio
J Grande.
Proposition Two method az
taking in outlying territory without
I a costly election II provided by this
measure. III a majority OF the tax
payers Of a section sign n petition
TO come into the city, they can be
accepted without an election.
Proposition Three-Under this
measure the water and light plant
cannot be m%Ortgaged without al
election. Law now provides the plant
could not be sold without an election,
but does not control mortgages
which could be used IS an indirect
means Of sale.
I Powers Assumed.
I Proposition FOur.-This measure
automatically assumes all the
2 amendatory rights granted the city
by the state. Heretofore, IL has been
necessary To amend the city charter
each time the state granted ID addi-
: tiOnal powers. The old system has
been cumber. ONE a. the city could
not amend its charter more than
? once in two years. The new amend
! ment would automatically take i'm
G additional powers as they are grant,
: ed.
: Proposition Fve.-Thls would
: broaden the city z0ning powers. 1t
IL no way affects the work done by
T the city coming commission headed
by Bert M. CrOmack. The plan work.
S CO out by the commission could work
e either under the old charter or the
new amendment.
Proposition Six-The initiative Is
repealed by this amendment. The
initiative has been held uncOnsti-
tutional in city government by the
higher courts. Canales states. Reg
ulatOry measures have TO TIE intro
' duced by representatives and not
by the people under this move.
Repeal Referendum
Proposition Seven-The referen-
! dunn ls repealed in this act. Under
e the old measure the people could
? demand a vote on an ordinance. IL
has never been used III Browns
: vile, Canales states. The chief
item people are interested In along
z this line IN granting of franchises.
y the city attorney said. Another
2 measure now In the city charter
i makes 10 possible for the people
S to call a vote on a franchise by
presenting a 10 per cent petition
Proposition Eight-A campaign
I promise OF the present adninistra-
? ton is fulfilled by this measure.
: IL makes 10 impossible for the
commissioners to issue city war
rants except in time Of a public
calamity and then only upon
! unanimous consent or the COM
: mission.
Proposition Nlne-A definite
r system OF nominating candidates
7 for city offices is provided IL elm
x mates the possibility Of those i'm
s charge freezing out potential
candidates.
Salaries Set
Proposition Ten-Provldes that
the mayor and commissioners shall
s receive $40 for each regular or
: special meeting, but states that
: they shall De paid for not more
s than five meetings IN any month.
: Proposition Eleven-s5,000 as the
maximum salary 70 be paid the city
: manager Is striker out IN this
amendment II a maximum is named
in the charter commissioners feel
any city manager would feel
sighted II he were not paid the
maximum. The city commission has
9 fun power 70 name the city man
q ayers salary under the amend
N ment.
Y Proposition Twelve-Powers or
(COnttnued On mage q