The Portland daily press., 1863-02-14
The New City Charter.


Legislature, to get up an amended City Charter;
but it has heretofore failed in consequence of n
disagreement between the two branches of the
City government in some of the details of the
measures proposed.
At length a new act has been agreed upon nv
both branches Of the City government. and the
amended charter was presented to the Legis-
lature Wednesday. There was some difficulty be-
tween the Aldermen and Common Council upon
this bill as first proposed; but mutual conces-
sions were made and the matter was brought to
close last Monday night, the new charter pas
sing both branches. The following is a synop-
sis of the bill -
Sect. gives the city the power to ordan reas-
enable bylaws and regulations, and to impose
penalties for breach thereof, not exceeding
500.
Sect 2 vests the administration of city affairs
in the Mayor, Board of Aldermen consisting
of seven, and Board of Common Council con-
sisling of twenty-one, which Board shall consti-
tute and be called the City Council.
Sect. 3 prescribes the duties of the Mayor.
who shall be compensated for his services by
salary to be fixed by the City Council, and who
shall receive therefor no other compensation
which salary shall not be increased or diminish
ed during his year of Office.
any law, act, ordinance, resolve or order AZ
ter such veto, IT requires a vote of two-thir,ls
ST the members of each branch to pass the
same.
Sect vests the power of establishing watch
and ward in the Mayor and Aldermen, and the
power of appointing officers of The police. "All
other powers now or hereafter vested in the in-
habitants of the city and all powers granted by
this act as well as all powers relating to the
Fire Department, shall bs vested in the Mayor
and Aldermen, and Commod Council, each
Board to have negative upon the other
Sect provides that all officers of the police
and health departments shall be appointed by
the Mayor and Aldermen. All other subordi-
nate city officers ahall be elected by joint con-
venton of the City Council. Except as other
wise provided, all subordinate officers shall be
elected on the ID Monday in March, or as soon
thereafter as may be.
Sect. provides that the City Council may
purchase aud take, in the name IF the city, real
and personal property for municipal purposes.
to an amount not exceeding 500 900, in aidi-
ton to that now held by the city.
Sect provides that at the first election of
assessors under this act, three persons shall be
elected, one of whom shall be elected for one
year. one for two years, and one for three years,
and at subsequent elections one assessor shall be
elected for three years. Twelve persons shall
also be elected for 0verseers of the Poor and
Workhouse, four of whom shall be elected for
y
years; and all subsequent annual elections shall
be for the term of three years.
Sect. gives the City Council exclusive au-
thority in the matter of laying out, widening.
altering, or disseminating streets as far as low
water mark; location below high water mark
TO be subject to the provisions of the laws relat-
ing to the Commissioners of Portland harbor-
Ii also provides measures to be adopted for the
laying out, &C., of streets, and for the estima-
ton of damages.
N l. A. Il
permission TO obstruct streets for purposes
mentioned, provided that not more than one
half the street shall be so occupied
Sect. Ii provides for the division of the city
into seven wards, and for the election of War
dens and Clerks, and specifies their duties.
ton of Mayor, Aldermen, Councilman, and
Constables, on the first Monday in March, and
for the organization of the new City govern
ment on the second Monday in March, Ia case
of no choice of Mayor at the first election. a
second election shall be had. In case of no cleo
ton of Mayor at the second trial, the City
Council in convention. from the four highest
candidates voted for ut the second election, shall
elect Mayor for the ensuing year. In case of
vacancy in the Office of Mayor, by death, res
ignation, or otherwise, it shall be filled for the
remainder of the term by new election, in the
manner hereinbefore provided for the choice of
said officer.
Sect. Ia provides for the election Of a perman-
ant cha;rta.n nf tho Rna~l - All..u..u -.
shall preside during the absence Of the Wavor
and. in case of vacancy IN the office of Nayor
he shall exercise the duties of the oce 80 lon -
such vacancy shall remain.
Sect. Is provides that the islands within the
city shall consttyte a separate ward, SO far as to
elect Warden, Clerk, and one Constable The
votes of the islands are TO be returned to the
Clerk of Ward No. 1.
Sect. l6 provides that the CITY Courcil NAV
make ARRANGEMENTS relative 10 the AISLE of broad
sold. or offered for sale in the city. and NAV as
sess money for the celebration of the anniyerss.
cry of our National Independence- and other
public celebrations. Reon,re sail boats not nm
der register or license. kent for hire. 10 be ex-
amined and licensed for that purpose. and 10 be
furnished with air-tight compartments.
Sect II defines the duties of the CITY Clerk
Sect. Is authorizes general meetings of the
citizens upon the reousition of fD qualified w.
ters
Sect 10 provides that the Aldermen and Com
mon Councilmen shall not be entitled 10 receive
any salary or other Compensation durinr the
year for which they are elected. nor shall thew
be eligible to any Office of profit or emolument
the salary of which is PAYABLE by the city.
Secl. 20 relates to the duties of the Treasurer
and Collector of the city.
Sect u directs the City Engineer once in ten
years, or oftener, to ascertain, under direction
of the CITY Council. the original location Of ali
streets or ways in the city, as accurately as prae-
ticable
Sect % authorizes the Mayor and Aldermen.
on public occasions by their order to forbid the
passing temporarily of carriages, &C., through
such streets and ways as they may deem expedi-
ent No existing wharf shall be extended into
thah ~b....