The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, April 14, 1898, Page 12

12 THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1898. CHARTER FOR THE CITY AND COUNTY OF SANFRANCISCO PREPARED AND PROPOSED BY THE BOARD OF FREEHOLDERS, Elected December 27, 1897, In pursuance of the Provisiops of Section 8, drticle XI, of the Constitution of the State of California. CONTENTS. ARTICLE I-BOUNDARIES, RIGHTS AND LIABILITIES. II-LEGISLATIVE DEPAET MENT. Chapter I—The Board of Supervisors. Chapter II—Powers of the Sypervisors. Chapter III—Contracts. ARTICLE III-FINANCE AND TAXA- TION. Chapter I—Levying of Taxes. Chapter II—The Several Funds, Chapter III—The Custody - of Moneys. Chapter IV—Payment of Claims. ARTICLE IV—-EXECUTIVE DEPART- MENT. Chapter I—Mayor. Chapter II—Auditor. Chapter III—Treasurer. Chapter IV— €ESOT. Chapter V—T; Collector. i Chapter VI—Coroner. Chapter VII—Recorder. ARTICLE V-LEGAL DEPARTMENT. Chapter I—Superior Court Judges. Chapter II—City Attorney. Chapter 1II—District Attorney. Chapter IV—Public Administrator, Chapter V—County Clerk. Chapter Vi She apter VII—J es’ Court. Chapter V1II—Police Court. Chapter IX—San Francisco Law Library. ARTICLE VI-DEPARTMENT OF PUB- = LIC WORKS. apter I—Board of Public Wi Chapter II—Improvement of sonl;’::'u. Chapter III—Opening of Streets. Chapter IV—Sewers and Drcinage. Chapter V—Harbors and Wharves, ARTICLE VII — PUBLIC AND LIBRARIES. Chapter I—Board of E Chapter 11— Sahoory Loucation. Chapter 11T Education. Chapter IV—Superintendent of Schools. ARTICL? Public SCHOOLS | Powers of the Board of | ARTICLE VII—Continued. Chapter V—School Tax Levy. Chapter VI—Schoolhouses and Lots. Chapter VII—Public Library and Read- ing-rooms. ARTICLE VIII — POLICE DEPART- MENT. Chapter I—-Organization. Chapter II—Police Commissioners. Chapter I1I—Powers of the Board. Chapter 1V—Chief of Police. Chapter V—Subordinate Officers. Chapter VI—Police Officers. Chapter IX—Present Police Force. | FCh&lpter X—~rolice Relief and Pension | und. ARTICLE IX—FIRE DEPARTMENT. | "Chapter I—Organization and Powers. | Chapter TI-Duties of Commissionera. Chapter III-The Chief Engineer. Chapter IV—Fire Companies. Chapter V—Fire Marshal. Chapter VI~Fire Wardens. Chapter VII—Firemen's Rellef Fund. Chapter VIIT—Salarfes. Chapter IX—Department of Electriclty. ARTICLE X—DEPARTMENT OF PUB- LIC HEALTH. ARTICLE XI—DEPARTMENT OF | ELECTIONS. Chapter I—Board of Election Commis- eioners. Chapter II—Municipal Elections. ARTICLE XII—ACQUISITION OF PUB- LIC UTILITIES. ARTICLE XIII-CIVIL SERVICE. ARTICLE XIV—PARK COMMISSION- ERS. ARTICLE XV—BONDS OF OFFICIALS. ARTICLE XVI-MISCELLANEOUS. SCHEDULE. ARTICLE 1I. Boundaries, Rights and Liabilities. SECTION 1. The municipal corpora- tion known as the City and County of San Francisco shall remain and con- tinue a body politic and corporate, in name and in fact, by the name of the City and County of San Francisco, and by that name shall have perpetual suc- cession; may sue and defend in all courts and places and In all matters and proceedings; may have anl use a common seal and alter the same at pleasure; may burchase, receive, hold and enjoy real and personal property; receive bequests, gifts and donations of all kinds of property, n fee simple, or in trust for charitable and other pur- poses, and do all acts secessary to carry out the purposes of ruch gifts, bequests and donations, »ith power to manage, sell, lcase or otherwise dispose of the terms of the gift, bequest or trust. Sec. 2. The boundaries of the City and County of fan Francisco are here- by declared to be those set forth in | Section Thirty-nine Hundred and Fifty of the Political Code of California. Sec. 3. The City and County of San Francisco shall continue, under this Charter, to have, hold and enjoy all property, rights of property, rights of action of every nature and description of the existing municip.lity and is hereby declared to be the successor of the same. Sec. 4. Suits, actions and proceedings may be brought in the name of the City » and County for the recover; of any property, money or thine belong- ing thereto, in law or equit:,, or dedi- cated to public use therein, or for the enforcement of any rights of, of con- tracts with, the City and County, whether made or arising or accruing before or after the adopiion of this Charter. proceedings in the courts or elsewhere, to which the City and Countyis a party, shall continue to be carrfed on by or against the City and County. Sec. 5. No recours. shall be had against the City and County for dam- age or loss to person or property suf- fered or sustained by reason of the de- fective condition of any sidewalk street, avenue, lane, alley, court or place. or by reason of the defective condition of any sewer, or by reason of any defective drainage, whether any of said defects originally existed, or whether they were occasioned by con- struction, excavation or embankment; nor shall there be any recourse against the City and County for want of re- pair of any sidewalk, street, avenue, lane, alley, court or place or by want of repair of any sewer; ror shall there be any recourse against the City and | County for damnge to person or prop- erty suffered or sustained by reason of accidenton anysidewalk, street, avenue, lane, alley, court or place, or by falling from any embankment thereon or into any excavation therein; but in anysuch case the person or persons on whom the law may have imposed the obli- gation to repair such defect in the sidewalk, street or public highway, or in the sewer, and also the officer or officers through whose official negli- gence such defect remains unrepaired shall be jointly and severally liable to (h’e paarty injured for the damage sus- tained. — ARTICLE IL LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT. CHAPTEK I The Board o—!_é\lpcrvnofl. SECTION 1. The legislative power of the City and County of San Francis- co shall be vested in a legislative body, which ehall be designated the Board o£L same in accordance with the | All existing suits, actions and | | Bupervisors. Such body is also desig- nated in this Charter, the fupervisors. | Sec. 2. The Board of Supervisors chall consist of eighteen members, all of whom shall hold office for two years, and shall be elected from the City and County at large. Each one must be at the time of his election an elector of the City and County, and must have been such for at least five years next preceding his election. Each Supervis- or shall receive an annual salary of twelvy hundred doll:-s. . Every person who has Mayor of the City and County, so long | as he remains a resident thereof, shall | be entitled to a seat in the Board of | Supervisors and to participate in its | debates, but shall not be entitled to a | vote nor to any compensation. Sec. 3. A majority of all the members | of the Board shall constitute a quorum, but a less number may adjourn from day to day and compel the attendance | of absent members in such manner and | under such penalties as the Board may | prescribe. Sec. 4. The Board shall: 1. Appoint a clerk, sergeant-at-arms and, when authorized to do so by ordi- nance, such additional clerks and other assistants as may be deemed necessary. 2. Establish rules for its proceedings. 8. Keep a journal of its proceedings, and allow the same to be published. The ayes and noes shall on demand of any member be taken and entered therein. 4. Have authority to punish {tsmem- | bers for disorderly or contemptuous | behavior in its presence. Sec. 5. The Mayor shall be the pre- | siding officer of the Board of Supervis- ors. In the absence of the Mayor the | Board shall appoint a presiding officer pro tempore from its own members, who shall have the same right to vote as other members. Sec. 6. The Bcard shall meet on | Monday of each week, or if that day bea legal holiday, then on the next day. The Board shall not adjourn to any other place than to its r 'ar place of meeting, except in case of great neces- sity or emergency. The meetings of the Board shall be public. Sec. 7. The clerk of the Board, when requested to do so, shall admin- ister oaths and affirmations, without charge, in all matters pertaining to the affairs of his office, and shall per- form such services as may be pre- scribed by the Board. He shall have the custody of the seal, and of all | leases, grants and other documents, records and papers of the City and | County. His signature shall be neces- sary to all leases, grants and convey- ances of the City and County. Sec. 8. Every legislative act of the City and County shall be by ordinance. The enacting clause of every ordinance shall be in these words: ‘“Be it or- | dained by the People of the City and County of San Francisco as follows.” No ordinance shall be passed except by | bill, and no bill shall be so amended as to change its original purpose. Sec. 9. No bill stall become an ordi- nance, nor resolution be adopted, un- less finally passed by a majority of all the members of the Board and the vote be taken by ayes and noes and the names of the members voting for and against the same be entered in the Journal. Sec. 10. No ordinance shall be re- vised, re-enacted or amended by refer ence to its title: but the ordinance to be revised or re-enacted, or the section thereof amended, shall be re-enacted at length as revised and amended. Sec. 1. An ordinance shall embrace but one subject, which subject shall be expressed in its title. If any subject be embraced in an ordinance and not expressed in its title, such ordinance shall be void only as to so much there- of as is not expressed in its title. | | | | | Chapter VII—Promotions, Suspensions and Dismissals. | _Chapter VIII—Unclaimed and Stolen | | Property. served as | Sec, 12. When a bill is put upon its 8 | final passage In the Board and fails to pass, and a motion {s made to recon- sider, the vote upon such motion shall not be acted upon before the expira- tion of twenty-four hours after ad- Journment. No bill for the grant of | any franchise shall be put upon its final passags within ninety days after {ts introduciion, and no franchise shall be renewed before one year prior to its expiration. Every ordinance shall, af- ter amendment, be laid over for one week before its final passage. Sec. 13. BEvery bill or resolution pro- viding for any specific improvement, or the granting of any franchise or privilege, or involving the lease, ap- propriation or disposition of public property or the expenditure of public money, except sums less than two h:ndred dollars, or levying any tax or assessment, and every ordinance providing for the imposition of a new duty or penalty, shall, after its intro- duction, be published in the official newspaper, with the ayes and noes, for at least five successive days (Sun- days and legal holidays excepted) be- fore final action upon the same. If such bill be amended, the bill as amended shall be advertised for a like period before final action thereon. But in cases of great necessity the officers and heads of departments may, with the consent of the Mayor, expend such sums of money, not to exceed two hun- dred dollars, as shall be necessary to meet the requirements of such neces- sity. Sec. 14. If any bill be presented to the Mayor containing several items ap- propriating money or fixing a tax levy, he may object to one or more items separately, while approving other por- tions of the bill. In such case he shall append to the bill at the time of sign- ing it a statement of the item or items to which he objects and the reasons therefor, and the item or items so ob- Jected to shall not take effect unless passed notwithstanding the Mayor's objection. Esach item so objected to shall be separately reconsidered by the Board in the same manner as bills which have been disapproved by the Mayor. Sec. 15. No ordinance shall take ef- fect untll ten days after its passage unless otherwise provided in such or- dinance. Sec. 16. Every bill and every resolu- tion as hereinbefore provided, which shall have passed the Board and shall have been duly authenticated, shall be presented to the Mayor for his appro- val. The Mayor shall return such bill or resolution to the Board within ten days after receiving it. If he approve it he shall sign it and it shall then be- come an ordinance. If he disapprove it he shall specify his objections there- to in writing. If he does not return it with such disapproval within the time above, specified, it shall take ef- fect as if he had approved it. The ob- Jections of the Mayor shall be entered at large in the Journal of the Board, and the Board shall, after five and within thirty days after such bill or | resolution shall have been so returned. reconsider and vote upon the same. If the same shall, upon reconsideration, be again passed by the affirmative vote of not less than fourteen members of the Board, the presiding officer shall certify that fact on the bill or resolu- tlon, and when so certified, the bill shall become an ordinance with like ef- fect as if it had been approved by the Mayor. If the bill or resolution shallfall to recelve the vote of fourteen members of the Board it shall be deemed finally lost. The vote on such reconsideration shall be taken by ayes and noes and the names of the members voting for and against the same shall be entered in the Journal. Sec. 17. All ordinances and resolu- tions shall be deposited with the Clerk of the Board who shall record the same at length in a suitable book. Sec. 18. No ordinance shall be re- pealed except by ordinance adopted in the manner hereinbefore set out, and such ordinance shall be presented to the Mayor for his approval as herein- before provided. . Sec. 19. Except as provided in Chap- ter IIT of Article IIT of this Charter, all demands payable out of the Treasury must, before they can be approved by the Auditor or paid by the Treasurer, be first approved by the Board of Sup- ervisors. All demandsformore thantwo hundred dollarsshall bepresented tothe Mavor for Is approval, in the manner hereinbefore providel for tho passage of bills or resolutions. All resolutions | directing the payment of money other | than salaries or wages, when the | amount exceeds five hundred dollars, shall be published for five successive days (Sundays and legal nolidays ex- | cented) in the officlal newspaper. Sec. 20. ™™-ae. r there shall be pre- sented to the Board of Election Com- missioners a petition signed by a num- | ber of voters equal to fi”tecn per | centum of the votes cast at the last | preceding State or City ard County election, asking that an ordinance to be | set forth in such petition, He subr .ted | to a vote of th electors of -h2 City and County, the Board cf Election Com- !missioners must submit such proposed ordinance to tlie vote of the electors ~t the next electicn. The sigr:-tures to the petition need | not all be appended to one paper, but | | each signer shall add to his signatura his place of r -idence, giving the street and number. One of the signers of each such paper shall : ake oath be- fore an officer :ompetent ‘o0 admin. :ter oaths, that the statements therein made are true, and that each signature to the paper appended is the genuinc signature of the person whose name purports to be thereto subscribed. The tickets used in such election shall contain the words “FOR THE ORDINANCE” (stating the nature of the proposed ordinance) and “AGAINST TI'E ORDINANCE” (stat- ing the nature of the proposed ordi- nance). If a majority of the votes cast von such ordinar~e shall be in favor of the adoption therec ”, the Board of Election Commissioners shall within thirty days from the time of such election, pro- c’aim such fac': nd upon such procla- mation such ordinance shall have the same force and effect as an ordinanc: passed by the Supervisors and ap- proved by the Mayor, and the same shall not be repealed by the Supervi- sors. But the Supervisors may submit a proposition for the repeal of such ordinance, or for amendments thereto, for vote at any sncceeding election; and should such proposition, so submitted. receive a majority of the votes cast thereon at such election, such ordi- nance ehall e repealed or amended accordingly. Sec. 1. Except as otherwise pro- vided in the Constituticn of the State, or as otherwise provided in this Char- ter, every ordinan:e insolving the granting by the City and County of any franchize fon the supply of light or water, or for the lease ‘r sale of any publicutility, or for thepurchaseof land of more than fifty thousand dollars in value must be submitted to the vcie of the elect--s of th City and County at the election next ensu!ng after the adontion of ruch orainance. The tickets used at such glection shall contain the words “FOR THE ORDINANCE” (stating t..e nature of the proposed ordl .nce) and “AGAINST Th& ORDINANCE” (stat- ing the nature o- the proposed ordi- nance). If a majority of the votes cast upon such ordinance shall be in favor of the adoption thereof, the Board of Ele. .fon Commissioners shall, within thir'v days from t] -~ time of such Jlection, proclaim such fact; and upon such proclamation such ordinance shall have tho same force and effect as an ordi- nance passed by the Supervisors and approved by the Mayor. No such nchise, or lease or sale of any rnblc utility or purchase of land shall be of any force or effect ex- cept it be mad~ by ordinance, and such ordinance be adopted by the people as in this section provided. Sec. 22. Whenever there shall be presented to the Supervisors a petition glgn.d by -~ number of voters equal fifteen per centum of the votes cast at the last pre electlon, asking trat an amendment or amendme.... t this Charter, to be set out in such petition, be submitte” to the people, the Board must submit to the vote of the electors of the City and County the proposed amendment or amendments. The signatures to the petition need not all be appended to one paper. Each signer shall add to his signature his place of residence, giving the street and number. One of the signers of each such paper shall make oath be- fcr: an o1 ner competent to administer oaths that the stateme-ts made therein are true and that each signature to such paper appende® is the gen~' ‘e slgnature of the person whose name purports to be there:o subscribed. The Board of Election Commissioners must make ali necessary provjsion for submitting the proposed amendment or amendments to the electors at a spe- clal election to be called by it, and shall canvass the vote in the same manner s in other cns 5 of election. All the ;~ovisions of the Constituticn of the State embracing the subject in this section provided for are hereby ex- pressly made applicable to such pro- posed amendment or amendments. But If at any time there shall be no consti- tutional provision or provisions under Which this Charter may be amended, then the aforesaid amendment or amendments must be submitted by the Board of Election Commissioners tc *he Yote of the electors of the Cfty and County at the election which next en- 8sues after such petition is flled wWith the Supervisors, 1f any such election is not to be held within sixty days after the filing of such petition. The, tickets used at_ such election shall contain the words “FOR THE AMENDMENT” (stating the nature of the proposed amendment) and AGAINST THE AMENDMENT” (stating the nature of the proposed amendment), If a majority of the votes cast upon such amendment or amendments shall be in favor of the adoption ‘hereof, the Board of Election Commissioners shall, within thirty days from the time of such ele-tion, proclaim such fact, and thereupon this Charter shall be amended accor¢ \gly. CHAPTER IL Powers of the Supervisors. SECTION 1. Subject to the pro- Vvisions, limitations and restrictions in this Charter contained, the Board of Supervisors shall have power: L To ordain, make and enforce Wwithin “the limits of the City 'and County all nec seary local, police, sani- tary and othe:r laws anl regulations. 2. Except as otherwise provided in this Charter, or in the Constitution of the State of .lifornia, to regulate and control for any and every purpose, the use of the streets, highways, public thoroughfares, public places, alleys, and sidewalks of the City and ~-unty. To permit the laying down of rail- road tracks and running cars thereon, along any street or portion of a street, for the sole purpose of excavating and filling in a street or portion of a street |or the adjoining land, for such limited time as may be necessary for such purpose and no longer. Such tracks must be laid level with the street and must be operated under such resiric- tions as not to interfere with the use of such streets by the public. 4. To empower street railway com- panies, under such conditions as the Board may see fit {. impose, to convey street sweepings and offal to tke public parks. 5. To fix the limits within which wooden bul ‘ags or structures shall not be erected, placed or maintained, and to prohibit the same -within such limits. Such limits when once estab- lished shall not be changed except by extension. 6. To provide fo- the abatement cr summary removal of any nuisance and to condemn and to prevent the occu- pancy of unsafe structures. 7. To regulate the use of hackneycar- riages and public passenger vehicles, and to fix the rates to be charged for the transportation of persons or per- soaal bagge.ge. 8. To provide a public pound and to | make all necer~ -y rules and regula- tions in the matter of animals running | at large, and for the custody and de- scruction of the same. 9. To provide and maintain morgue. 10. To provide places for the deten- tion of witnesses and persons charged a | with insanity, separate and cprart from places where criminals or persons se- cused of public offenses are imprisoned. 11. To establish, meaintain ~14 regu- late, and change, discontinue and re-establish City and County jails, prisons and houses of detention, pun-. ishment, confinement and reformation, hospitals and almshouses. 12. To purchase or acquire by con- demnation such property as may be needed for public use. 13. Except as otherwise provided in this Charter, to regulate and control the location and quality of all appli- ances necessary to the furnishing f water, heat, light, power, telephonic and telegraphic service to the City and County, and to acquire, regulate and control any and all appliances for the sprinkling and cleaning of the streets | of the City and County, ard for flush- ing the sewers therein. 14. To fix and determine by ordin- ance in the month of February of each year, to take effect on the first day of July thereafter, the rates or compensa- tion to be collected by any person, com- pany or corporation in the City and County, for the use cf v ater, heat, light or power, supplied to the City and County, or to the inhabitants thereof, and to prescribe the quality of the ser- vice. 16. To impose license taxes and to provide for the collection thereof; but no license taxes shall be imposed upon any person who, at any fixed place of business in the City and County, sells or manufactures goods, wares or mer- chandise, except such as require per- mits from the Board of Police Com- missioners as provided in this C" .rter. 16. 'To prescribe fines, forfeitures and penalties for the breach of any ordin- ance; but no penalty shall exceed the amount of five hundred dollars or six months' imprisonment, or both, 17. To fix the fees and charges for all official services not otherwise pro- vided for in this Charter. 18. To allow not to exceed two thou- sand five hundred dollars in any year for the celebration of the anniversary of our National Independence, and not to exceed five hundred dollars in any %ear for the observance of Memorial ay. 19. 'To appropriate such stms as may be paid into the treasuryfrom fines col- lected on copvic'ion of persons charged with cyuelty to animals, and to author- ize the payment of the same or some part tuereof io any society that shall efficiently aid in such convictions, 20. To provide for the payment of compensation to the Interpreters ap- pointed by the Judges of the Superior Court, to interpret testimony in erim- inal cases in sald Court or the Police Court, or upon inquests and examina- tions. Such compensation shall not ex- ceed one hundred dollars a month for each interpreter. 21. To offer rewards not exceeding one thousand dollars in any one in- stance for the apprehension and convie- tion of any person who may have com- mitted a felony in the City and County, and to authorize the payment thereof. 22. To provide in the annual tax levy for a special fund to be used in the construction of a general system of drainage and rewerage. 23. To provide a Seal for the City and County, and Seals for the several departments, boards and officers there- of, and a Seal for the Police Court. 24. To fix the hours of labor or serv- ice required of all laborere in the serv- ice of the City and County, and to fix their compensation; provided that eight hours shall be the maximum hours o State or municipalllabor in any caleidar day, and that fi-’._ minimum wages of laborers shall be two dollars a day. 25. To set apart as a boulevard or boulevards any street or streets,orpor- | tions of a street or streets, over which there is no existing franchise for any street railroad. To construct or permit the con- struction of tunnels, under such rules and regulations as the Board may pre- scribe. 21. To regulate street railroads, tracks and cars; to compel the owners of two or more of such roads using the same street for any distance not ex- ceeding ten blocks 'to use the same tracks and to equitably divide the cost | Of construction and expense of main- tenance thereof between the owners; to fix, establish and reduce the fares and charges for transporting passengers and goods thereon; to regulate rates of speed, and to pass ordinances to pro- tect the public from danger or incon- Venience in the operation of such roads. 28. To allow any transcontinental or other railroad company having not less than fifty miles of road actually con- structed 1d in operation to enter the City and County with its road and run | its cars to the water front at the most suitable point for public convenience. No exclusive right shall be granted to any railroad company; and the use -of all such rights shall at all times be sub- Ject to regulation by the Supervisors. Every ordinance granting such right shall be upon the conditions that sald company shall pave and keep in repair the street from curb- to eurb in such a manner and with such material as may from time to time be prescribed by the Supervisors, and that such company shall allow any other railroad company to use in common with it the same track or tracks, each paying an equal portion for the construction and repair of the tracks and appurtenances used by such railways jointly. 29. To convey lands in accordance Wwith the provisions of the Act of the Legislature of the State of California, entitled “An Act to expedite the settle- | ment of land titles in the City and | County of San Francisco, and to ratify | and confirm the acts and proceedings of | certain of the authorities thereof,” ap- proved March 14, 1870. | 80. To provide for the execution of all trusts confided to the City and County. 81. To transfer from one department of the City Government vacant and un- used lots of land to another depart- ment. 82. To provide for the lease of any lands now or hereafter owned by the City and County; but all leases shall be | made at public auction to the highest | responsible bidder at the highest| monthly rent, after publication of no- tice thereof for at least three weeks. No | lease shall be authorized except by or- | dinance passed by the affirmative vote | of two-thirds of the members of the | Board, and approved by the Mayor, and | no lease shall be made for a longer pe- riod than twenty years. 33. To provide for the sale at public auction, after advertising for five days, | of personal property unfit or unneces- sary for the use of the City and County. 34. To provide for the purchase of property levied upon or under execu- | tion in favor of the City and County; but the amount bid on such purchase shall not exceed the amount of judg- ment and costs. 35. The Supervisors mus’ appropriate | annually to the Mayor thirty-six hun- | dred dollars as and for a contingent fund, for which he need furrish no | vouchers | Sec. 2. The Supervisors shall consti- | tute the Board of Equalization of the City and County. The Clerk of the Su- pervisors shall be Clerk of the Board of Equalization by virtue of his office. | Sec. 3. The Board of Supervisors | shall appoint from its members a com- mittee consisting of three to be denom- inated Finance Committee, and shall fill all vacancies in the Committee. The Committee shall investigate the transactions and accounts of all officers | haying the collection, custody or dis- bursement of public money, or having the power to approve, allow, or audit| demands on the treasury; shall have | free access to any records, books and | papers in all public offices; shall have | power to administer oaths and affirma- | tions, and to examine witnesses, and | compel their attendance before them by | subpena. The Committee -may at any | time visit any of the public offices andi make its examinations and investiga- tions therein without hindrance. The Committee must, at least once in every six months, examine the official bonds of all City and County officers, and investigate the sufficiency and sol- vency of the sureties thereon, and re- port in writing the facts to the Mayor. Such report shall specify each bond with the sureties, and the amounts for | which each surety is bound, and state | whether or not they are sufficient and golvent. Upon such report the Mayor | shall take such action as shall be nec- | essary to protect the City and County, and may require new bonds when nec- essary, and he may suspend any officer till a sufficient bond is filed and ap- proved. Sec. 4. The Finance Committee shall have power, and it shall be its duty, to examine the records and examine and expert the books of account of all per-l sons, companies or corporations that | are required to pay a portion of their | gross receipts into the treasury; and | shall likewise, as an aid to the fixing of rates for furnishing water and light to the City and County and to the in- habitants thereof, have like power, and | it shall be its duty, to examine the | records and examine and expert the | books of account of any and all per- sons; companies or corporations so furnishing water or light. In the exercise of its functions, the concurrence of two members of the Committee shal' be deemed sufficient. The Committee .hall keep a record of its proceedings with the names of the witnesses examined and a substantial statement of the evidence taken. If, from the examination made by the Committee, it shall appear that a mis- demeanor in office, or a defalcation, has been committed by an officer, the | Committee shall immediately report to the Mayor, who, if he approve the re- port, shall take such proceedings | against such officer as are authorized by law, and may suspend him pending such proceedings. Any Police Officer shall execute the process and orders of the Committee. Sec. 6. No exclusive franchise or privilege shall be granted for laying pipes, wires or conduits. Sec. 6. The Board of Supervisors shall have power to grant authority for a term not exceeding twenty-five years to construct and operate street railways upon, or over, or under, the streets or parts of streets of the City &nd County not reserved for boulevards or carriage driveways, upon the follow- ing conditions and in the following manner and none other: Upon application being made to the Board for any such franchise, it shall by resolution determine whether such franchise or any part thereof should be granted, and at said time shall de- termine on what conditions the same shall bBe granted additional to those conditions provided in “this Chapter. After such determination, it shall cause notice of such application and resolution to be advertised in the offi- clal newspaper of the City and Coun- ty for ten consecutive days. Such ad- vertisement must be completed not less than twenty nor more than thirty days before any further action is taken by the Board on such application. The ad- vertisement must state the character of the franchise sought, the term of its proposed continuance, and the route to be traversed; that sealed bids will be received up to a certain hour on a day to be named in the advertise- ment; and a furtHer statement that no bids will be received of a stated amount, but that all bids must be for the pavment to the City and County in lawful money of the United States of a stated percentage of the gross annual receipts of the person, com- pany or corporation to whom the fran- chise may be awarded, arising from its use, operation, enjoyment or posses- | streets, | advisable, and must ex; 8l g %ery bidder shall file with his bid a | | bond executed to the City and County, with at least two good and sufficient sureties to be approved by the Mayor in a penal sum prescribed by the Su- pervisors, and set forth in such ad- vertisement, conditioned that such bid- der will well and truly observe, fulfill and perform each and all of the condi- tions, terms and obligations of the franchise for which said application was made in case the same shall be awhrded to him, and that in case of the breach of any of the conditions of such bond, the whole amount of the penal sum therein named shall be taken to be liquidated damages, and that as such shall be recoverable from the principal and sureties on such bond. At the next rcgular session after the expiration of the time stated in such advertisement up to which such bids will be received. the Board must open such bids cnd award the franchise to the person, company or corporation of- fering to pay the highest stated per- centage ofpthe gross receipts arising from the use, operation, possession or enjoyment of the franchise for which such application was made. But no award shall be made, nor any such ap- plication granted, unless the stated percentage offered to be paid for the franchise shall be at least three per centum of such gross receipts during the first flve years of the period for which the franchise is to be granted, four per centum of the gross receipts during the next succeeding ten years, and five per centum ‘of the gross re- ceipts during the next succeeding ten years. Except as in this section otherwise provided, bidding for such franchises must b> in accordance with the provs- ions of this Charter in relation to bids made to the Board of P-blic Works, so far as such provisions may be applica- ble. The Supervisors may reject any and all bids, and may refuse to grant a | franchise for any part of the route for which application was made. —.ery ordinance making such grant shall Te- | quire the concurrenceof three-fourthsof | all the members of the Board of Super- visors, as shown by the ayes and noes, and the approval of the May- or, and at least ninety days shall in- tervene between the introduction and final passage of any such ordinance. It shall require a vote of five-sixths of all the Supervisors to pass the ordinance notwithstanding the objections of the Mayor. If any bid be accepted, the franchise must be granted upon the express con- | dition, in addition to the conditions re- | quired by this Charter, and such other conditions as may be prescribed by the Supervisors, that the per centum of the | | | the Board of Supervisors; year, and it shall have no power to purchase or to pay for the same unless ! the provisions in this Charter provided | as to competitive bidding for supplies | are strictly followed, and no contract shall be made for any of the same un- less upon such competitive bidding. All proposals shall be accompanied with a certificate of deposit or certified | check on a solvent bank in the City and County of ten per centum on the amount of the bid, payable at sight to the order of the Clerk of the Supervis- | ors. If the bidder to whom t‘he con- tract is awarded shall for five cays af- ter such award fail or neglect to enter into the contract and file the required | bond, the Clerk shall draw the momey | due on such certificate of deposit or check and pay the same into the treas- ury; and under no circumstances shall | the certificate of deposit or check o | the proceeds thereof be returned to | such defaulting bidder. Notices for proposals for furnishing the aforesaid articles shall mention | said articles in general and shall state | that the conditions and schedule may | be found in the office of the Clerk of and shall also state that such articles are to be delivered at such times, in such quan- tities, and in such manner, as the Su- pervisors may designate. Any bidder may bid separately for any articls named. The award as to each article shall in all cases be made to the lowest bidder for such article, and where a bid embraces more than one article, the Supervisors shall have the right to r;c— cept or reject such bid or the bid for any one or more articles embraced therein. In the case of contracts for subsistence of prisoners the advertise~ ment fer proposals shall specify each article required, the quality thereof, the quantity for each person, and the existing and probable number of per- sons to be supplied. No article or ar- ticles provided for in this section shall have been made in any prison. ?‘he Supervisors shall require bonds with sufficient sureties for the faithful per- formance of every contract. The Clerk of the Supervisors shall furnish print- ed blanks for all such proposals, con- tracts and bonds. All bids shall be sealed and delivered he Clerk of the Su- by, the bidder to the Clerk of the S1 ervisors, and opened b gn hour and place to be stated In the advertisement for proposals, in the presence of all bidders who attend, and the bidders may inspect the bids. All bids with alterations or erasures therein shall be rejected. All articles so supplied shall be subject to inspec- tion and rejection by the Supervisors and by the person in char~- of the of- gross receipts of the railway shall be paid into the treasury on or before the | tenth day of the next ensuing month | after such gross receipts shall have | been earned; and upon the further con- | dition that the whole of the railway | shall be continuously operated, and that at the end of the term the road- track and bed of such railway and all its stationary fixtures upon the public shall become the property of | the City and County; and that the grantees will, within one hundred days after the date of such grant, commence the construction of such railway, and continuously thereafter, in each and ev- | ery month until the completion thereof, | expend in such construction at least | the sum of three thousand dollars. | The failure to comply with any of | said conditions shall work an immedi- | ate forfeiture of such franchise and the | road or track constructed thereunder. There shall be no power in the Super- visors to relieve from such forfeiture or from any of said conditions. On or before the tenth day of each month af- ter said receipts shall have been earned, the President and Secretary of said railway company shall make and file with the Clerk of the Board of Super- visors a sworn statement of the gross receipts of such railway for the pre- ceding month. In granting any such franchise the Board of Supervisors shall impose such other lawful conditions as it may deem | ressly provide | that the franchise shall ot he renewes | | or regranted, and that the Board shall at all times have the power to regulate the rates of fare to be charged by those using, operating, possessing or enjoy- ing the franchise, and that the Finance Committee of the Board shall at all times be permitted to examine and ex- pert their books as to such gross re- | ceipts. All moneys received for such General Fund. Sec. 7. The Supervisors shall have no electric power or for lighting purposes | along or upon any public street or high- | way of the City and County except up- j on all the conditions and in the manner, | including competitive bidding and pay- | ment of a percentage of gross receipts, [ hereinbefore set out, and upon the fur- | ther condition that the Board shall at | all times have the right to regulate the | charges of any person, company or cor- | poration using, enjoying or possessing such franchise or privilege. ‘When, on the expiration of any street railroad franchise, it shall be deemed | inexpedient by the Board to use any of | the property reverting to it by reason of such expiration in the operation of | a street railroad, then the Board shall | have power to lease such property to | any person, company or corporation af- | ter the notice, on the terms, and in the | manner above provided as to the grant- | ing of street raflroad .ranchises, as far | as the same may be applicable, But no | ordinance cuthorizing such lease shall | be passed prior to ninety days next pre- | ceding the expiration of such franchise. | Any ordinance granting a franchise | or authorizing a lease under the provis- jons of this section shall be in force | from and after the expiration of thirty | days from the date of its signature by | the Mayor, or from and after the expi- | ration of thirty days from the date of | its passage by the Supervisors over his | objections, unless within said thirty days a petition signed by a number of | the electors of the City and County equal to fifteen per centum of the votes cast at the last preceding election shall have been filed with the Supervisors, fice, institution or department for which the same are supplied. Every contract for work to be performed for the City and County must provide that in the performance of the contract eight hours shall be the maximum hours of labor on any calendar day, and that the minimum wages of labor- ers employed by ¢he contractor in the execution of his contract shall be two dollars a day. Any contract for work to be performed for the City and Coun- ty which does not comply with the pro- visions of this section shall be null and void, and any officer who shall sien the same shall be deemed guilty of misfea- sance and upon proof of such misfea- sance shall be removed from office. Sec. 2. All contracts for official ad- vertising shall be let annually in like manner by the Supervisors to the low- est responsible bidder publishing a daily newspaper in the City and Coun- ty which has a bona fide daily circula- tion of at least eight thousand coples, and has been in existence at the time of letting such contract for at least two years. In inviting proposals there- for, such advertising shall not be clas- sified and no proposal shall be acted upon which offers to do such advertls- ing at different rates fo- different por- | tions thereof. | Such advertising shall be construed | to mean the advertising and publica- tion of all official reports, orders, ordl- nances, messages, resolutions, notices inviting proposals and all notices of every nature relating to City work. No | part or kind of such advertising shall | be charged or contracted for at a high- | er rate than any other part or kind of the same is charged or contracted for, | except in the case of the delinquent tax list. | The newspaper to which the award | of such advertising is made shall be | franchises and in payment of the sald | known and designated as the “official | per centum shall be credited to the newspaper.” The advertising of the delinquent | tax list shall be let to the lowest re- | power to grant franchises or privileges | sponsible bidder on a separate bidding to erect poles or wires for transmitting | fr om all other official advertising. No board, department or officer shall make any publication which is not ex- pressly authorized by this Charter or by the Supervisors. Sec. 3. The Clerk of the Supervisors shall annually, under thc direction of the Supervisors, advertise for pro- posals for supplying the varlous departments, officers and oTices of the City and County with all stationery and supplies in the nature of station- ery, assessment books, minute books, blank books and the printing of blanks. The contracts for fonery shall be separate from those for printing. Notice for proposals for supplies shall require a greater or less quantity to be delivered at such times and in such manner as the Supervisors may desig- nate. The advertisement for bids for paper shall state the weight, quality and size of the various kinds required, and that for printing shall enumerate the various letter heads, tax bills. tax receipts, court notices, and all blanks, | papers and documents now used or hereafter required in any and all de- partments of the City and County, in- cluding the forms, papers and blanks now used or hereafter required by the courts of the City and County. The forms for all printing shall be conge~ntively numbered, and each form and blank shall be known as No. — (specifying the number). Such adver- tisement shall be published for at least | ten days, and shall require the bidders | to state the price at which each arti- | cle will be furnished, printed or manu- | factured, as the same may be required | from- time to time during such period, asking that said ordinance be submit- ted to the vote of the people. at the next election to the vote of the electors of the City and County, and unless said ordinance shall at said elec- tion receive in its favor a majority of the votes cast thereon it shall have no force or effect for any purpose. If a majority of the votes be in favor of such ordinance, the Board of Election Commissioners shall, on the conclusion of the canvass of the vote thereon, proclaim such fact, and upon such proclamation said ordinance shall have | full force and effect as of the date gforesaid. Said petition and submission shall be made in accordance with the | provisions of section twenty of Chapter I of this Article. Sec. 8. All claims for presented to the Board of Supervisors and filed with the Clerk within six months after the occurrence from which the damages are claimed to have arisen; otherwise there shall be no re- covery on any such claim. CHAPTER IIL Contracts. SECTION 1. All contracts for goods, merchandise, stores, supplies, subsist- ence or printing for the City and Coun- ty, as well as for all subsistence sup- plies, drugs, and other necessary arti- cles for hospitals, prisons, pu®lic insti- tutions and other departments not oth- erwise specifically provided for in this Charter, must be made by the Supervis- ors with the lowest bidder offering ad- equate security, after publication for not less than ter days in the official newspaper; and no purchase thereof or liability therefor shall be made or cre- ated except by contract. : Except as otherwise provided in this Charter, the Board must determine annually what goods, merchandise, stores, supplies, drugs, subsistence and oiher nec articles will be needed by the City and County for the ensuing In such case said ordinance shall be submitted | damages | against the City and County must be | and the amount of the bond that will be required as sacurity for the perform- nce of the contract. No stationery furnished to any offi- | cer or department shall contain the | name or names of the officer or offi- | cers constituting the head of the de- | partment or board. The contract or contracts must be made with the low- | est bidder offering adequate security, quantity and quality being considered. The Clerk of the Supervisors shall have rooms in the City Hall for the custody of such stationery, and when purchased | the same shall be delivered to him, and he shall issue and distribute the same | to the various departments as re- quired. He shall keep accounts in detall, | charging himsel” with all goods re- ceived, and crediting himself with the goods delivered upon order or requisi- tion as hereinafter provided. When any of such supplies are required, for any department, the Clerk of the Su- pervisors shall issue the same after the requisition for such articles has been made by the head of such department and approved by the Mayor. All requisitions for printing shall be made in a similar manner. The Clerk shall report monthly in writing to the Supervisors in detail, the amount of all paper, blanks, books, stationery and printing ordered by and Celivered to any department or officer. Sec. 4. ALy officer of the City and County, or of any department thereof, who shall aid or assist a bidder in se- curing a contract to furnish labor, ma- terial or supplies, at a higher price or rate than that proposed Ry any other bidder, or w".» shall favor one bidder over another, by giving er withholding information, or who shall willfully mis- lead any bidder in regard to the char- .acter of the material or supplies called for, or who shall knowingly accept ma- terfals or supplies of a quality inferior to that called for by the contract, or ‘who shall knowiagly certify to a great- | er amount of labor performed than has been actually performed, or to tr.e re- celpt of g greater amount or different | a i