The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1877-02-14
THE CHARTER RE-CODIFIED.
The Bill Amending the Act for the IncOr-
pOratiOn of Cities Prepared by the
Committee of City Officers,

Last week. under call of Mayor Caven
and others, the city officers of the state came
together to combine their wisdom, derived
from experience, in revising what is gen.
orally spoken of as the charter law, for the
incorporation of towns and cities. They
took up the act as it stands by sections, and
after patient discussion of each point,
agreed upon a series of amendments,
covering the whole ground. But the bill
was not put in form for presentation to the
legislature. A judiciary committee was ap-
pointed to complete the bill according to
the design agreed on. -Four of the work
ing members of this committee, viz:
Mayor w. ID. Bynum, of Washing
ton, Daviess county; Mayor J. +.
Hubbard, of Richmond; City Attorney j. f.
Williamson, of Evansville, and City Attor-
ney X. 0. Hawkins, of this city, spent the
last two days in doing the work assigned
them. They have completed a careful bill
based on the existing law. The points where
in changes have been proposed in the law
are noted in substance below. The provis-
ions OF the law not mentioned are left un
disturbed in the new bill In chapter |
the provisions of the present act are merely
simplified and relieved of certain compiled
tons in regard to incorporated towns and
incorporated cities, reconstructing the act TO
make il clearer and more ineligible.
The bill provides that but one election for
incorporating town or city can be held in
one and the same year.
The mayor and members of the common
council shall enter upon the duties of their
offices Immediately after their election, but
all other city officers shall enter upon the
discharge of their duties on the first Monday
OF September. 1t provides that
the city assessor shall be appointed by the
common council instead of by election of
the people. Vacancies shall be filled by
special election except when they occur
-ifhin G0 10 r,rinr m tba Oanarol alaOtinn
When appeals are taken from the mayors
court, no change of venue shall be
taken outside of the county in
which the town or city is located.
When the mayor being absent gives the ju
risdietion of his court to a justice of the
peace, the compensation of the latter shall
be fixed by the mayor or the common coun-
Gil, the same to be paid by the mayor. In
case of the death of the mayor. the justice
who takes his court shall be compen-
stated by direction of the council.
An important provision authorizes the may
or to issue subpenas for witnesses to answer
questions touching violations of law, and a
refusal to obey the subpoena or to answer
questions may be punished as contempt of
court by fine not exceeding $40 and inn
prisOnment for ten days.
The bill provides for the election of a city
judge to preside in the city court, who shall
possess all the powers of the mayor and
have concurrent jurisdiction with him.
The city marshal is authorized to charge
fees the same as constable, but
the city shall not be liable for
fees To any officer. Policemen are en-
powered to serve warrants and make arrests
for the violation of ordinances, the same as
the marshal.
City treasurers are required to account for
ceived for the use of funds while in their
hands
The right to levy on personal property for
delinquent taxes anywhere in the county is
conferred.
The mayor shall have a casting vote ex-
cept when the vote is taken by ballot, when
he shall cast his ballot the same time as the
members, before the result of the vote
is known. The object of this provision is
to relieve the mayor of a delicate response
bility in certain cases.
Salaries OF city officers shall neither be in
creased nor diminished during their term of
office.
Power is given to the common council to
suppress gaming houses and houses OF ill
fame within two miles of the city limits.
railroad company are required to plank and
keep in proper repair streets at the crossings
of their tracks. The common council may
classify sewers into general, local and special
to be paid for by the general fund or a dis
trict or special property benefited
Provision is made for the taxation or de-
destruction OF dogs by new and additional
power to render the law effective.
Dancing by females in tights, can-can
dances and other indecent exhibitions of
this sort may be prohibited by the common
council.
Parties who knowingly rent houses and
real estate to be used for places of prostitu-
ton may be punished, as also may the fire.
quenters and inmates of such immoral
places.
Power is given to the common council to
prevent, aba:e and remove nuisances, and
to punish Migrants, disorderly persons and
prostitutes within two miles Of the city.