The weekly pioneer and Democrat., 1856-03-06
tn. charter Of the Cmy Of -. P.aI.

InG Nm1ItrB ot s1U wv - 80 . 49,
The Legislative Assembly which has just
adjourned, made some important changes in the
Charter Of the City Of st. Paul, synopsis Of
which may not be uninterestipg 70 our readers
The corporate limits Of the City were extern
ded 50 - " include Oh Of section 36, town ~,
n. r., % West, not heretofore included in said
limits, the eject Of which amendment Is to
extend the city limits over that portion Of the
town plo. nov known as Mackubin's Addition.
The Islands in the Mississippi River, in front
of the City, which have heretofore been
included In the city limits, are now excluded
there from, coupled with provisio that
said exclusion shall not impair or destroy the
civil and criminal jurisdiction Of said city over
said river; and provided also that said exclu-
sion shall not apply to Harriet Island, which is
constituted part Of the ID Ward Of the City
Of Saint Paul
The Aldermen Of the city, by one OF the
amendments, are authorized to administer oaths,
take Acknowledgements Of deeds, and to do and
perform generally all acts which may be per-
formed or done by Notaries Public under the
Statutes Of the Territory.
The time OF the city election has been chang
ed from the first Tuesday IN April in each year
to first Tuesday IN May.
The style Of Justice Of the Peace for the
city is changed to " City Justice, - and the
provision Of the charter requiring the election
Of Justice Of the Peace and Constable for
each ward is stricken out
At the election in May, 1856, there is to be
elected one Alderman in each ward, who shall
hold his Office for two years, and one Alderman
who shall hold his Office for three year, and at
every annual election thereafter, there is to be
elected one Alderman for each ward, who shall
hold his Office for for three years. The ballots at
the election in May next, must designate the
person voted for Alderman for two years, and
the person intended for Alderman for three
years.
The terms Of all officers hereafter elected is
to commence on the second Tuesday Of May o.
the year ior which they are elected.
Sections IA and Is Of chapter two Of the act
Of incorporation are repealed.
The powers and duties Of the City Comp
troler are very considerably enlarged, and sew
eral clerks added to the general department o.
the city Government
Section IA Of chapter three, is so amended
as to give to the city Justice, civil jurisdiction
and. as heretofore, he has sole and exclusive ju
risdction in criminal matters within the city
limits.
The Common Council are authorized to Il
cense and regulate auctions and auctioneers
and the provision Of the charter which fxet
the license for dealing in or vending spirituou,
or iermented liquors at $50, no more and nj
les, has been changed so as to fix the amount
at not less than $50 per annum.
The Common Council are also authorized Il
control the erection Of water works and %.
works, and TO license omnibusses and regu.at,
the charges OF omnibus drivers. Also to reg
ulatc and prevent the burial Of the dead within
the city limits.
The Common Council are authorized t
regulate and cause to be constructed, altere,
and maintained wharves or grading and paw
Ing along the banks OF the Mississippi river
and have the same power and control over tn
river that they have over streets and alleys.
The expense Of constructing, altering an,
maintaining such wharves, grading and paving
shall be paid out Of the city Treasury.
The Street Commissioners, whenever the,
shall determine to make any public improve
ments. are authorized to enter into contract
Tor the work without notice to propcrt,
holders along the line OF the contemplated ir
proyement requiring them to do it tbemselve,
within specified time. as has been the prac
| tice heretofore.
/ In case Of the non payment Of special take,
for grading streets and the like, the street
Commissioners are authorized to issue certifi
Gates to the contractors stating the awount o.
work done by such contractors, the charges
therefor, and the description Of the lot or par
Gel Of land upon which the same is chargeable
which said certificates bear interest at the rate
Of thirty per cent. per snnum.
This amcndatory act takes effect from and
after its passage.
We have thus briefly attempted 10 give a
synopsis of the material changes made in our
city charter The effect Of these amendments
will be to give increased force and efficiency to
the city government. and we trust that the re.
sr.: Of Tie changes viii Dc seen in the contin.
ned prosperity, advancement and improvement
Of the city Of our adoption.