Year: 1875

In case of a vacancy in the Office, if the un-
expired term be less than six mozths' tns
President of the Board of Councillors shall
become Mayor.


All officers not elected by the people are to
be appointed by the Mayor, with the approval
of tie Board of Councillors. They may De
removed by the Mayor for cause, Pro''<oel
tvo-thirds Of the Board Of Councillors ap-
prove the same.


The onlv new feature in relation to the
Treasurer is that, in addition to 8 monthly
report Of the amount of money on manu-, n0
sball state where tho same is deposited Inc
CITY Clerk, with assistants, Is to be ClesK 20
Tho t,ro Boards Of the Common Council Ihe
Commissioner of Police is to have ent1o
CHARGE of that department; the Commission
a. of Pnblic Works and the Commissioners OF
Fire and Health are in the same manner maze
heads Of their respective departments, re-
snonsible for the action of their subord1nates.
The Commissioner of Police is to appoint his
subordinates;, ard, for cause, may remove
them: his action is final and no appeal IS 81
lowed The same rule of discipline Is catan-
Ished IN the t1re DepatLaloAt'


Such are the general provisions Of the ne"
charter which have been substantially agreed
upon at Springfield, and have been accepted
bv all those who have participated in the prep
ara+ion of amendments. We have no lesa~
tation in expressing hope that all the NOM
berg of the Cook County delegation will unite
in giving it their cordial support. There Is
nothing partisan in the bill. Tt is not in the
interest Of one party or the other, but IS IN
the interest Of good government and respon-
sible government. We understand that the
Democratic members Of the Cook County
delegation have waived all opposition to this
measure OF reform, and We are certain that
the Republican members can as readily sup
port any measure That promises to bring Or
der out of disorder and establish re-
sponsibihty where there is none. The City
Of Chicago, with population exceeding that
OF any one Of dozen States Of the Onion,
with en- annual tax-levy three times that Of
the State of Illinois, has no executive au-
th6rity. The executive functions are divided
among o number Of departments, each lnds-
pendent Of the other, and not responsible TO
any. Each tronsacts its own business as # it
| we're IN exclusive government. The new
| charter does establish responsible executive
government. Each department is responsi-
BE to joint authority Of all the other de-
partments. There can be no secrecy or ring
operation in any branch Of the City Govern
| ment. Every expenditure Of over $500 must
be authorized by the approval of the Mayor
and of the heads Of all the other depart
| ments, end be matter of record This one
! feature Of reform is sufficient Of itself to
commend tho whole charter to pub


lie approval. The establishment of two
Boards is, we think, another great improve
ment; it will be an additional checli
on haaty and improvident legislation.
tt destroys the absolute power of any one
branch OF the City Government The mode
OF election Of the members Of these two
branches Of the City Legislature places il
within the power Of the conservative portion
OF the people to elect at least a strong repre-
sentation of able, intelligent, and respectable
citizens to each Board.


The bill breaks up the present organ


ization Of the City Government; it dis
solves all the irresponsible Boards; it getE


the administration of city affairs out o'


Of the old ruts in which it has been run se


long, and into which it is sinking deeper


every day The city will shake off its oil


garments, and be clothed anew, to the grea


improvement Of its operations and to tn


great saving Of expenses.