The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-02-10

Discussion has been general during the pas
two weeks, or since the proposed new charte
was printed and circulated. From every angl
congratulations on the completeness of tn
document have been rendered the charter com
mission by individuals of this city and neighbor
ing towns and those who have studied the pro
visions of the proposed new charter.
Naturally there are some not in accor,
with individual chapters and sections but it j
felt that these can be remedied without draft
ing an entire new document and the concensu
of opinion seems to prevail among the majorit,
that the proposed charter meets with the re
quirements and that the same should be adopted
as whole at this time; given thorough ties
and amended to meet conditions that nigh
arise at some future date.
There are others who have secured thei
information secondhand from some more or les
interested authority and to these we would pas
on the advice to read it themselves and not trus
to the Interpretation of someone with an axe tt
grind. To our method of thinking, the new
charter is fine document regardless of tn,
opinion of those opposed to some sections not tt
the liking of certain individuals posing a.
leaders of groups.
However, each and every voter has tn.
right to his opinion and public expression on tn,
subject. Discussion shows that the provision
of the proposed charter have been studied b.
those that dissent, always good sign for thu
welfare of public affairs and the citizens of any
city. We have listened carefully to objection
to the new charter as they are being broadcast
Some there are who have misread the pro
visions relating to precincts for election purpose
contained in Section 3 of Chapter l. Their,
are those who have confused precincts will
wards and are imbued with the idea that tn,
old antiquated ward system would follow.
is plainly to be seen that this is not wanted
and in reading the chapter and section, it shoult
also be plain that it is not intended to Transform
the city into wards wherein the ward-heelin.
politician could hold full sway.
Voting precincts are mandatory under tn,
state laws, which laws also govern many othe
sections of the charter. There is not precinc
in the city which should not be split into tw,
or more voting places. 400 votes govern thi
and if more than 400 votes are cast, anothe
precinct should be established. This causes ad
ditional expense for room hire, judges ant
clerks and for this very reason in all probabilit.
the city council has not found it expedient t,
split the four subdivisions now maintained a
voting precincts, into smaller voting division
which the state laws allow them to do. Ward
are not contemplated and wards are not wantet
according to the sentiment expressed.
Chapter LII relating to elections has also conn
in for some discussion, especially as relating t.
filling unexpired terms caused by death, resig
nation or removal from the city. This section
has been remedied inasmuch as it is impossible
under the new charter to deadlock the council
with an appointment to fill an unexpired tern
more than thirty days. The deadlock which
took place on the death of Mayor Trezona an,
the elevation of Alderman Wolff to the mayor
ship, on the appointment to fill the vacancy
was the primary cause for changing this sec
ton to assure full working council within
thirty days.
There are several such curative sections il
the new charter Particularly, we wish to cal
your attention to the section pertaining to publ
Improvements and assessments therefor Thi
matter alone, should cause a unanimous vote TO
the adoption of the charter. Considering tn
restrictions under which the council lahore
during the past year in finding places to wor
for the unemployed under the charter pro
visions, the new document furnishes an OF
portunity of getting permanent work done with
out disobeying the provisions of the city charter
| Under the new charter, all the ground wor
leaolng TO paving, Sucn as grazing Tor SIreeC
alleys and sidewalks and digging and filling flo
water lines and lateral sewers will be paid flo
from the general fund and only the paving an
/ laying of sidewalks, water lines, etc., will b
assessable on $3.50 basis. Under the oil
charter where all such work was assessabls
there was a reluctance in petitioning for sue
improvements, especially when all work don
was to be charged against the abuttin
property. As streets, sidewalks, alleys, etc., ar
/ used by everyone, in and out of the city, tn
charter board was of the opinion that such in
provements were of public nature and shout