The Portland daily press., 1863-04-06
NEW CITY CHARTER
STATE OF MAINE.
In the year of our Lord thousand eight hundre,
and sixty three.

In the year oil our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and sixty-three.
Portland.
BE aeaaefed by the Senate and House of Representa-
ties in Legislature assimbtsd, as yoiiogss
SECTION !. The inhabitants Of Portland shall con-
time to be body polite and corporate by the
OF the City OF Portland aud such shall have exer
else and enjoy all the rights, immunites, powers,
privileges, and franchises, and shall be subject to ali
the duties aud obligations apper, aiming to- or
incumbent upon said city, the inhabtants or mu-
nicpal authorities thereof aud may ordan reasopa-
BILE Dy laws and regulations for municipal purposes
aud impose penalties for the breach thereof not ex-
ceeding one hundred dollars, TO be recovered for
such uses as the municipal authorities may appoint
SECTION q The administration of ali the fiscal
prudential and municipal affairs ( said city, with the
thereof shall be vested in one principal
magistrate TO be styled the mayor. and council
seven to be denominated the board of aldermen and
one council of twenty-one 10 be denominated the
board of common council, all of whom shall be in.
habitants of said city; which board shall constitute
and be called the city councils and shall be sworn or
affirmed in the form prescribed by the constitution
of the state for state officers.
SEcTIoH3. The mayor of said city shall be the
chief efexecutive officer thereof 1t shall be his duty to
20 ygilaut and active in causing the the state
and ordinances and regulations of the city, to be
ecuted and enforced, to exercise general supervis-
ion over the Conduct of all subordinate officers aud
10 cause violations neglect ofduty their part TO
be punished. lie shall from time TO time communi-
cate TO the city council either board such infor-
nation and recommend such measures as the inter-
ests Of the city may require He shall preside at all
meetings of the mayor and aldermen aud in joint
meetings of the two boards, but shall have only a
casting vote. lie shall be compensated for his SER
vices by a salary TO be fixed by the city council
payable at stated periods and shall receive therefor
no other compensation, wtdkh salary, however shall
not be increased or diminished during his year of
office.
SECTION 4. Every law act, ordinance. resolve or
order recurring the consent of both branches of the
city council excepting rules and orders of paria-
mentary character. shall be presented TO the mayor
for approval, II not approved by him he shall return
il, With his objections, at the next stated session Of
IN. v.1fh hrat
which shall enter the objections at large its jour-
nal and proceed 10 reconsider the same IL upon
@ sue ,;S 80 10. shall be passed by vote q
be sent. together with the objections, TO the other
branch. by which shall be reconsidered and pass
ed by two thirds of that branch. IL shall have the
same effect as II signed by the mayor. In case of
vacancy in the office of mayor when said law act or.
dinance resolve or order be finally passed. the
shall be .alid without approval.
SECTION g.. The executive powers of said city gen.
orally and the administration Of police and health
cept modified by this act shall be vested in the
mayor and aldermen. All the powers Of establishing
watch and ward now vested by the laws Of the State
inhabitants OF towns vested in the mayor and al
dermen, SO far as relates TO said city and they
authorized to unite the watch and police departments
into one department and establish suitable regula.
tions for the government of the same. The officers
Of police shall be one chief TO be styled the city
may by ordinance prescribe. aud many watchmen
and policemen as the mayor and aldermen may from
after vested in the inhabitants of said city and all
powers granted by this act well all powers rea-
ting TO the fire department, shalt be vest in the
mayor aud aldermen, and common council of said
city, to be exercised by concurrent vote each board
TO have negative upon the other. Each board shall
keep record of its proceedings. and judge of the
election of its own members: and in Of vacan-
ces new elections shall be ordered by the mayor and
aldermen.
SECTION 9. The compensation of all subordinate
city officers whatsoever shall be fixed by the city
council All officers of the police and health depart
ments shall be appointed by the mayor and alder.
men, and may be removed by them for good cause.
All other subordinate officers. now elected by the
aad aldermen or the city council shall hereaf.
ter be elected by joint convention of the city council
and such officers may be removed for good cause by
concurrent vote passed in each branch by the assent
oftwo thirds of all the members thereof Except as
otherwise specially provided In this act. all subord-
nate officers shall be elected annually the second
Monday OF March, or soon thereafter as may be-
and their term of Office shall be for year ana until
Others are qualified in their places. All vacancies
may be hcd BY the board having authority TO elect
sEcrlos7. No money shall be paio out of the
city treasury except on order drawn and signed by
the mayor designating the fund or appropriation
from which said orders TO be paid nor unless the
same shall be first granted appropriated therefor
by the city council; and the city council shall secur
aprompt aud just accountability by requiring bonds
with sufficient penalty and surety or surctcs from
all persons intrused with the receipt custody or dis
bursemcnt Of money; they shall have the care and