Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-01-23

Senators Crooks and Gilfllan and Repre-
sentatives Jas. Smith, Jr., Sanborn and
Niley-with Messrs John A Gilman,
John S. Prince, Ansel Oppenheim, A. H.
Lindeke, Thomas Cochran, Jr., and other
citizens, held Il meeting at the council
chamber yesterday to consider legislation
proposed to be secured at the present ses-
sion for the benefit of the city.
Called to order by President Rhodes,
of the council, City Attorney Murray
read the draft of a bill authorizing the
issuance of bonds for various bridge and
street improvements, as follows:
For repair or rebuilding of the bridge
on Seventh street, over Phalen creek,
SO, 900; for repair or rebuilding of bridge
on Mississippi street, across Minnehaha
street, $1,000; for the construction Of
approaches to a bridge to be built on
Lafayette avenue. over Trout Brook.
$50, 900.
For the construction of approaches TO
bridge to be built over Westminster street
and across the track of the St. Paul 81
Manitoba and Chicago, ST. Paul & Oma-
ha railroads, $4,000.
For building bridge on East Fourth
street over Phalen creek, $4,000.
For opening a street through block 30,
ST. Paul proper, and block 3, Hopkins,
addition, $4,000.
The bill met with the approval of the
committee, and it was voted to recon-
mend it to the legislative delegation for
passage.
: The next bill read was one authorizing
the purchase of the water works system
Of the city, and providing for water
works commission in case of such pur-
chase, and prescribing rules for the regu-
lation of the same, providing for extern
sion of the same, etc. The amount of
bonds asked for is an amount not ex-
ceeding $500, 000-$350, 600, or such por-
ton thereof as may be needed for the
purchase, and $500 for enlargement,
etc, the amount of money accruing from
such bonds to be expended in any one
year, to be at the discretion Of the coun-
Gil upon two-t thirds vote. The salary
Of the water commissioners is made the
same as that of aldermen. The issuance
of the bonds is to depend upon
majority vote Of the people
at the election in November next. The
basis of purchase is to be determined upon
the report of the water commissioners
provided for IN the bill, after examina-
ton and report.
The general provisions of the bill, with
some amendments suggested, were de-
clared satisfactory, and the city attorney
was directed to put it in shape and pre-
sent to the Legislative delegation for
passage.
Mr.. Murray then presented a bill
changing the law for sidewalk improve
ments, placing the authority
of contracting for the same
in the hands of the city council,
contracts to be for the year, instead Of
certain specified prices, as now.
He next read provision increasing the
board of public works from three to five,
at the same time remarking the proposal
did not meet his approval. The provision
led to lengthy discussion, some advo-
eating it and others favoring continu-
ance of the present number, three, with
salary adequate to secure men qualified
all the time required to properly consider
and pass upon the questions coming be-
fore them.
During the discussion Hon. John S.
Prince advocated change in the plan Of
assessments, arguing that in all import
ant improvements, such as bridging the
leading commercial and travelled streets,
only SO per cent should be assessed on
abutting property, the balance to be paid
by the city at large.
Mayor Dawson agreed with MIR. Prince.
Aid. Griggs moved to strike out the
provision relating to the board of public
works.
Aid Minea and Ansel Oppenheim,
Esq, advocated increasing the board to
six, one for each ward, which proposition
was favored by John w. Gilman, who
moved to amend to make the board con-
sist of six members instead of five.
City Attorney Murray held that the
true theory was to limit the board to
three members with adequate salaries.
Any increase Of the board with the small
compensation provided for would but add
to the existing evils. He ventured to say
that if members were paid
$1,000 or $4,000, so that they
could afford to devote their time to the
duties dev0lving upon them, that prop
erty owners would save $1,000 for each
$4,000 of salary paid.
Finally a vote being taken upon the
proposition of three or six members, the
latter number was adopted by the casting
vote of President Rhodes.
Another section of the bill was read pro
yiding for the election of the city engineer
by the board of public works and city
council in joint convention.
Hon. c. d. Gilfllan opposed the prop
osition, arguing that the board, under
whose direction public improvements
were made, should have the exclusive
say in the selection of the engineer, and
be held responsible for proper perfor-
nance of the work.
Col. Crooks opposed both propositions,
and moved to amend the bill by providing
for an election of the engineer by the
people. His constituents were emphatic
in demanding this provision, and unless
the bill should be so amended he should
be compelled to rise in his seat as a
Senator and move such an amendment,
and use his best efforts
to secure its adoption by, the
legislature While he had no structures
to pass upon the present incumbent of
the office, there was no Disgusting the
fact there was great dissatisfaction with
his management of affairs, and especially
his sewerage system for the lower portion
of the city Scientific men, physicians
and engineers had waited upon him, Col
Crooks said, complaining of the made
quacy of the present system, and urging