Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1857-04-07
City Charter.


OF Friday, April 8, 1857, to prepare a synopsis
Of the different provisions of the City Charter
for publication, beg leave 10 report;
That ia consequence of the short time allow
ed them for examination, they are not enabled
to present IS detailed digest rs they could
wish but only the leading features of the diff
ferent chapters and their provisions, in doing
which they have adopted with slight altera-
tions the synopsis published in the Mineral
Point Tribune, by Mr.. T. S. ALLEN adding
thereto such other provisions as they deem es-
sential, which IS herewith submitted.
CnArrra I--Relate to City and Ward boun
dagIes. fixing the limits nearly the as now,
but with the addition Of three quarter sections
on the west. The City is divided into Two
Wards Chestnut Street forming the division
line
CRATER U-Fests corporate powers in a
Mayor aud Board Of Aldermen, and provides
t,r the election of City Officers, consisting of
Layor Marshal Treasurer, Police Justice. SUI
! ,rinteudcuce Of Schools three Aldermen and
one Justice OF the Peace, one Assessor and one
/ Constable in each Ward, and defines their pow
ers and duties.
/ CHAPTER III-Contains the law governing
/ the Elections, provides penalties for fraudulent
voting, &c.
CHAPTER IF-Powers of Common Council
Gives control Of Finances, power to make ordi-
( nances aud provisions for city government, to
abate nuisances, grant licenses, to prevent gam
ing, riots and disorde-ly houses, to prevent the
storing Of gun-powder in city limits, immoder-
ately riding or driving in streets. animals from
running at large. dc. to make public pounds
pumps, dc; to establish markets, to regulate
measuring and selling hay, fuel, DC; 70 appoint
City Attorney, and provides for auditing &C
. counts.
CHATTER US devoted tothe improvement Of
streets and sidewalks. in which the regulations
. O. all cities very nearly correspond. The pres
ent condition of our streets imperatiyelv de-
/ mands some more efficient means Of making de-
sirable Improvements, and Of keeping them free
from distractions.
CHATTER EI-Provides for opening streets.
for appeals for damages in case OF widening and
Strengthening streets, for sorumoning iurics,
awards. &c.
CHarrEr FII-The manner Of 3evying and
collecting taxes, similar to the present law on
that subject, and in this Charter the rate of tax
alton Is limited. 1t provides that the Common
Council shall not levy any tax exceeding five
mills on the dollar valuation for CITY EXPENSES
five mills for roads, and five mills for pauper
and other purposes, without a vote Of the peo-
PIE authorizing such levy.
CHAPTER EIII-Autborizes the Common
Council to organjz. a Fire Department: but
conters no power to raise taxes for this purpose
beyond the amount specified above
CHAPTER IN-Organizes the City into one
School District, and provides for Board of Ed
ucation, who may establish Central and also
Ward Schools sufficient to meet the wants uf
the people. The City Superintendent is cr Of
fcio President Of the Board, by whom all orders
( on the Treasurer are to be signed and gene
rally al the powers and duties now deyolvinc
upon District Boards are to be discharged by
this Board.
CHAPTER E-Contains miscellaneous provis-
| ions. Among which may DC noticed the entire
! separation Of Town and City Government. pro-
visions for the just division Of property and ac-
cruing obligations between tie two orcariza-
tions, provision that each Ward he entitled to
a representative in the County Board Of Super
yisoss, and thus giving to Mineral Point three
Members instead Of one, and a provision au-
,horizins the City Council to loan a sum not ex-
| ceedias ten thousand dollars on City securities
! for the purpose Of building School Houses.
Hisc1!laaeoas.-Gives control Of corporation
property; provides that all city work shall be
let BY contract, after due notice By adyertis-
ing; that neither the Mayor nor Aldermen
shall be paid Tor their services nor shall be iu-
terested in any way in city contracts Prohib-
lis the selling Of liquor on election days. 80
property of private individuals can be levied on
for city debts. Provides for the pro rata divis-
ion Of the interest in town bonds between the
city and the town OF Mineral Point.
In conclusion. the committee beg leave TO saw
rha5 the Charter seems TO have been drawn
with evident care, so as 70 give an efficient city
organization, with the ligLtest burdens on the
Taxpayers. GEO. L. FROST,
JNO. II. VIVIAN,
T. s. ANSLEY.