Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-02-12
THE UNION REPORT.
Il .HOHE EQUITABLE ENHANCEMENT
4 Lengthy and Spirited Discussion Upon
the Basis of Representation--Thc Report
Slightly Modified and Adopted.

complete union of the interests of both OF
the present divisions of the city: met at the
city council chamber yesterday afternoon.
Previous to the consideration of the report
proper. Mr.. Wyman Elliot introduced a
resolution endorsing the request of the State
agricultural society for a legislative appro-
priation to enable Peter M. Gideon, Of Ex-
resolution was adopted.
The resolutions were accepted with an
amendment to the effect that it be revised
with a view to the elimination of few
grammatical errors.
President Washburne then announced the
report of the committee as in order. and by
Mr.. A. p. Aukeny, the following was sub
mitted:
To the Board of Trade and Citizens of the
city of minneapolis:
Your committee, appointed to examine into
all the questions involved in closer union Of
the two divisions of the city of Minneapolis,
and a representation based upon principles of
equity and Justice report as follows:
That they have held several protracted scs-
sions, in which a full and free interchange Of
opinion was had upon all the points involved;
and while there seemed to be many conflicting
interests between the two divisions, there were
which could not, by mutual concessions,
be harmonncd. The following general basis
of consolidation was not agreed to in all its
features by the entire committees; but the con-
illusions, well as objections are given in the
hope that by further general discussion some
equitable basis may be arrived at which will
break down all walls of partitions between the
two divisions, and thus give Il new impetus to
the growth and character of our city.
SECTION ONE.
The first point involved in a closer union
seemed to be the proper representation in the
city government. 1t maintained that in
the union of the two cities six years ago q GER
tain basis of representation had been consented
to- and that this basis could not justly be re-
duced. On the other hand it contended
that any agreement then made could not right
fully prohibit the establishment of new wards
in any part of the city as the city continued to
grow. 1t was claimed that one new ward was
required now on the West Side, and by fur
thcr extension of the city limits, possibly two
more. 1t was finally agreed by the committee
ed on the West Side, and additional wards in any
portion Of the city necessity may require.
SECTION TWO.
The next question discussed was the debts of
the two divisions. Figures from the official re-
cords were produced, from which it appeared
that the debt of the East Division was proper
tionately smaller than that of the West Divis-
proper and equal basis, the East Division
should be allowed out of the consolidated city
fund sum sufficient to make them even. 1t
was further considered that in merging the two
division debts into one, all the property, of
whatever character, should be the common
property of the city, and all debts to be as
sumed Fifty thousand dollars was the sum
fixed upon by ma ority of the committee, as
deficiency to be allowed by the city, to
be expended for improvements on the East
Side, and such improvements to be either for
the construction of water works on the East
Side, or for supply of water by connection
with the water works on the West Side as
might hereafter be deemed best. The amount
fixed deficiency objected to by mi
nority.
SECTION THREE.
The next point considered was what under
the consolidation should constitute the munich
pal government. portion of your committee
urged the present plan; another portion favored
continuance of the present council, but to
have one councilman from each ward. In adj
tlition thereto, it was proposed to have adj
ditional house. to be composed of six members
elected from the city at large, and to be known
as the board of aldermen These houses to act
similarly to Il State national legislature.
Both plans are submitted for your considcra-
ton.
The Ecxt point was to secure, if possible, some
better arrangement for the care and supervision
of streets and bridges. An estimate showed an
nual expenses of about 50, 600 for services of ten
street commissioners. Besides this the vast
expenditure for grading, &C.. seemed to require
system more guarded. 1t was agreed that a
proper measure would be to divide the territory
into three street districts, appointing three
street commissioners to have charge of them.
1t was expected that all heavy and expensive
work would be done only upon contracts, and
that the expense thereof be borne by the ward
in which the work is done under the direction
Al L
commissioners to be fixed by the council and
paid out of the general fund
SECTION -FOUR.
An important point seemed to be the valua-
ton of property and the assessment of taxes
After full discussion it was agreed that a board
of assessors be established, composed Of three
assessors, elected by the council. A minority
however, favored a single assessor with tho
necessary assistants
SECTION FIVE.
1t was agreed that the details of union OF
the two boards of education be recommended
to be left with the committees heretofore APP
pointed, and those of the fire department. to
committee hereafter to be appointed, who shall
report to the general committee.
SECTION SIX.
The annual election of the mayor was OBJ
jected to causing frequent unusual excite
ment, and not being in accord with othe
term is recommended to be fixed at two year!
instead of one. 1t was further deemed adj
visable that appointments by the mayor b.
confirmed by the board of aldermen in case
such house be created; if not. then by tn
council.
SECTION SEVEN.
Poll tax is recommended to be abolished, i
being unequal in its collection, and it bein
further considered by a portion of your com
mttee that taxes should be assessed against
mans property, and not against his head,
SECTION EIGHT.
All fees and other perquisites of ever
character to be covered into the treasury,
being held as the true theory that all officer
should be paid fair salary for their services
and that fees and receipts are the natural prop
erty of the body corporate.
SECTION NINE.
The next and last point which seemed es
sential was the salaries of the city officers an
the propriety of fixing them by charter. A
present an officer is elected and his compensa
ton fixed afterwards. This gives rise to cor
troyersy and waste of time 1t is believed tina
by fixing the salaries in the charter all this ca
be avoided. The following salaries are though
to be proper for the services: Mayor. $500
councilmen and aldermen, $3.50; city er
ginecr, $1,000; city attorney, $1,000; cit
comptroller, 1880; city clerk, 81 500; cit
treasurer 81 600: chief fire department. 81 500
superintendent water works, 81 200; chief c
police 81, 200; assessors. if three, each, $500.
All of which is respectfully submitted by tn
committee. A. r. ANKENY,
Secretary of Committee.
After some discussion it was decided tn,
the report be taken up and discussed sectio
by section.
The first section, involving the question {
the basis of representation created, as W;
anticipated, the most lengthy discussion. 4
the opinions expressed were scarcely indivi1