HomeMy WebLinkAboutSLO What February 2017
History of San Luis Obispo
Joseph A. Carotenuti
City Historian/Archivist
As the city settled into the second decade of a new century, the previous ten years had included a remarkable
series of municipal milestones discussed previously in SLO What. The sense of “promise” underlying the recent
past encouraged the civic leadership to consider increased “home rule” rather than being dependent upon State
legislation. Becoming a Charter City was the answer.
Basically, a municipality through its charter would have more autonomy with respect to its civic affairs and
could enact legislation differing from that adopted by the state for “general rule” communities. Of course, both
community and state are obligated to respect and follow constitutional law whether federal or state.
The small central coast community of about 5000 residents was no stranger to reorganization as over the past
half century, state legislation required the local governance to change more than once. (see this writer’s San
Luis Obispo: 1850-1876 for a more detailed discussion of municipal changes). Encouraged by the nascent
Chamber of Commerce in 1906, various “factions” met to select a committee of “freeholders” – a commission
who would frame the charter. The only requirement was each had to be a voter in the community for the
previous five years.
The men chosen included some of the most prominent in the city: Benjamin Brooks: longtime editor of the
Tribune newspaper; William Mallagh: an attorney and judge with historic family roots along the coast; Frank
C. Mitchell: a successful contractor whose park donation is an oasis today in the historic district; William
Sandercock: the family’s “transfer’ company still operates in the city, and Louis F. Sinsheimer who became
the longest serving City mayor (1919-1939).
The move to create a charter city had definite political motivation. The Morning Tribune printed the proposed
benefits to the community but also declared its hope that future leaders needed to “not laugh and grin at us” as
if they were “masters rather than servants” and would perform their duties without a “spirit of favoritism.”
“Fear and favor,” the article concluded, “seem to be the guiding principles of the present system.”
For two months beginning on May 2, the Freeholders met to complete a proposed charter addressing elections,
salaries, officers, municipal services, taxation, claims, contracts, streets, sewers, and bridges among major topics.
Always a key concern, there were no guarantees to lower taxes; neither were there any to raise them. A
community treasure is the slim Freeholders Minute Book preserved in the City’s vault.
After presentation to the City fathers, an election
was called for Saturday, December 22. “Very
little interest (was) taken in the measure,”
commented the press. Of the 1381 registered
voters about 40% cast ballots. Of 567 votes cast,
a decisive majority (367) cast negative ballots.
The various “factions” complained that the
proposed charter fell short on addressing some
issues resulting in a low voter response with a
majority response being negative.
Undeterred by defeat, another attempt was made
four years later.
Contact: jacarotenuti@gmail.com
HISTORY of SAN LUIS OBISPO
View of San Luis Obispo in 1910