Charter Amendments

Mr. Editor : On readiug your editorial notioeof an attempt to amend our city charter, 1 thouht it would Ite wull to mquire into the matter and seo it' the pólice court project waa the ouly uurslmg ot' Uus Oommon Conncil ring, bulieving that the selfishness whlch yave birth to that pet scheine would be likeiy to produce other offcpring ot' like character. Upon iuquiry I tind that there are several other projecte on tho carpet for bleediug the people, wlnch, íf not cheoked, will be íelt to be a senous evil. Fiisí. It is proponed to amend the charter so as to allow pay to the mayor and nldeimen aimuaílv for services. What amount I don't know ; probabíy not loss than $100, and perhaps Í20U or $'00 each, per annuni. Now, Mr. Editor, the policy of the early fouuders oï the city governmeut, aud of those who hnd lts management for some yeara after lts im;orporatiou, was ecouomy ; which practice has been aadly neglected for a few years )aat. It waa theu aupposod that a suitable nan to aüt as mayor or aldermau would be willmR to dónate his services to the city ; and '. dou't thiuk there has been a time wheu vasancies existed in the Oouncil becausa men were not paid. If these gentlemen dislike tne position, and won't work without pay, let thera atep down and out ; good men can be iound to till their places. I dou't think a nioney consideration will pay a faithtul mayor (such an one I believe we now have), or a faithful alderrnan. Theu why put the office upon that footing, and leave it the subject of sirife among merceuary persons? Seooudly. I understand an amendment is proposed giving the Council power to order local improveinents, such as grading, paving, and sidewalks, without a petition ol two-thirds of the owuers or occupauts of the adjoining propeity, but at their expense. As the charter now is, unless two-tliirds of the property offuers or oecupants interested shall petitiou, the mprovement, if made at all, must be by geneal tax. 1 believe the law as it now stands is good one and provides a wholesome check, nd unless some member of th8 Council had u ax to grind or wanted to usurp the powers hich sliould belong to the people, would be ufficient for all practical purpoaes. We have better streets than auy city ia the tate without paviug, and if the Couucil would ease making a ridge-road of therü, and there)y injuring materially the adjoiniug property, ight repairs need be made tor years. Iii regard to sidewalks, the adjacent owners ül petition if they want a walk, and if the wners don't want one and the city does, let it e done by general tax. The power as proosed by the ameniment would be subject to ie giossest abuse. It is supposed that the project for the pólice court amtmdnient is virtually dead, but I mistake the projectors if it is not intended to spring it upou the people at the laat moment, and with it au expense of ihousands of dollars. Dated, Febfuary 13, 1877. Tax Payeb.