Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-11-02
LEGISLATION FOR THE CITY.

Reorganization OF the Fire Department.
Board of Fire Comm ssioners Created,
and Provision Made for Increasing the
Machinery and Working Force-Increase
of Compensation for Certain Officials
Fort Street tImprovement--Lafay Av-
enue Bridge.
The legislature yesterday took action upon
several bills of considerable interest to the
people of st. Paul. In the senate, Hon. j. B.
Gilfllan introduced and had passed under sus
pension Of the rules, bill creating board of
fire commissioners, upon which is to devolye
the entire management of the city fire depart
ment. The board is to consist of three tax
payers of the city, neither one of whom shall
be member of the city council, and as the
the bill names: "Frank Brewer, to hold Office
until December 81, 1882: VIM. B. Dean,
until December 81, 1888, and jeremiah G..
Prendergast, until December 21, 1884" Their
successors are to be appointed by the mayor
by and with the adyice and consent of the city
council, to hold office for a term of three
years.
The bill also provides that the fire depart
ment of the city shall consist of five steam
engines and other attendant apparatus. The
working force is to consist of chief and as
sistant engineer, and superintendent of fire
alarm. Also, an engineer, firemand and driver
for each engine, driver for each hose cart and
foreman of hose, to be constantly on duty,
and four hosemen to do duty when the en-
gineers are called out. Also, one hook and
ladder company, to have one driver, one
tilerman and one foreman to be
constantly on duty, and seven min
ute men for service at alarms. ALI these are
to be appointed by the board and are liable to
removal or suspension for neglect of duty, etc.
The present chief and assistant engineer and
Superintendent of fire alarm are to serve out
the term for which they have been respectively
appointed.
The comptroller is to audit all accounts of
the board, who will contract for, purchase
and sell material, etc., in all respects, as the
same is done now by authority of the city
council
The compensation of the different members
OF the force is to be fixed by the board, not to
exceed the amount now fixed by
superintendent of fire alarm whose
salary shall not exceed 5000 per annum; that
the salary of the assistant engineer shall not
exceed 81 900, and that of firemen and drivers
OF steamers shall not exceed $40 per month.
The compensation of members Of the board
is fixed at $100 per annum,
The act goes into effect Immediately upon
its passage.
Another important bill was one originating
in the house increasing the salaries of several
OF the city and county officials Owing to
the senate amending the bill slightly it has to
60 back to the house to be again acted upon
1t fixes the salary of the county treasurer al
$4,000 per annum and cuts off all fees
or other emoluments; gives the county
attorney and judge of the municipal courl
each $4,000, raises the salary of the mayor to
81, 600 per annum, the president of the board
of public works to 5000 and the members OF
the board to $500 per annum, and authorizes
the city council to create the office of assis
tant clerk at 5000 per annum.
The senate also passed the house bill auth
orizing the city council, upon vote of three
fonrths of the members thereof to issue bonds
in $40. 900, the proceeds to be devoted to tht
improvement of Fort street.
A bill also passed the senate under suspen
sion of the rules, introduced by Senator Gil
fillan, amending the act of last winter author
izing the issuance of bonds for bridge pur
poses, ETC., and increasing the amount auth
orized for bridging Lafayette avenue S6,OO0