Daily globe., 1881-01-30
PROPOSED LEGISLATION.

Establishing Work House-The Gas
Company Observation-Disclosures to be
Prepared to the Bill.
The Ramsey county legislative delega-
ton, with Mayor Dawson and City Attor-
ney Murray, held meeting yesterday af-
ternoon to consider and pass upon
the several bills asking for authority by
the city Of St, Paul to issue bonds for
certain contemplated Improvements, as
recommended by the committee On legis-
lation of the city council and chamber of
commerce.
| Hon. James Smith ,'Jr was made chair
man of the meeting.
BRIDGING RAILROADS
The bill providing for the issuance of
$95, 900 in bonds for approaches to the
several proposed railroad crossings and
| the bridge On Westminster avenue was
recommended for passage without discus
sion.
| Also, the bill providing for plat COM
| mission without compensation, the object
| being to secure uniformity in future addi-
| tions to the city.
| WHITE BEAR CHARTER.
The measure providing for city char
ter for White Bear lake, was endorsed in
its main features, and referred to Messrs.
Smith and Sanborn for perfection
| THE GAS COMPANY CHARTER
| Gen. Sibley appearing before the dele
cation at this time, the bill proposing an
amendment to the charter of the st. Paul
Gas Light company, empowering it to in
augurate a system of public steam
heating and electric lights
| for the streets and public
places, and an extension of its charter,
was taken up, and Gen. Sibley briefly ex-
planned that the additional powers desired,
except as to the extension of the charter,
could be secured under the general law,
but as the new enterprises proposed were
to be undertaken in part because
the waste heat and material
in the manufacture of gas,
could be utilized, and the expense thus
lessened, it had been thought best to ask
authority in the manner proposed. To
inaugurate the experiment proposed
would require the expenditure of from
$50, 900 to $50, 900 before any return could
be received. Their object was to give to
st. Paul cheaper power for the operation
of machinery and better and
more economical light than it
now enjoyed To do this no
monopoly was desired, but simply that
their present charter, which allowed the
city to come in and say whether or no it
should take possession of and operate the
gas works, should be extended
| Col Griggs thought the bill as framed
not only gave the company monopoly of
the heat and power supply and electric
light proposed, but would also compel the
city, should it at any time desire to take
possession Of and manage the gas busi-
ness of the city, to buy these proposed ap-
pendages also.
Gen. Sibley dlsclaimed any such desire
or intention on the part of the company.
All it wanted was a reasonable time in
which to develop the enterprises pro-
posed and receive some return for the
large expenditure of money proposed, and
he suggested that if the bill presented did
not as clearly define the powers of the
company and protect the rights and in
terests of the city as desired it should be
so amended.
Col. Griggs suggested that it would be
well to compare the bill with the charter
of the gas company. and upon Mr.. Gilfil-
lan's motion the bill was referred to
Messrs Smith and Sanborn for such ex-
animation, and amend if necessary to
protect the city's interests.
THE WORKHOUSE.
The next bill taken up was that pro-
viding for city workhouse.
The bill proposed to
locate the workhouse upon portion of
Como Park, and provides $780, for the
necessary buildings. Itwas objected that
the proposed location would be injudici-
Gus, in that it would greatly depreciate
the balance of the Como Park property,
and finally the bill was amended to allow
the purchase of other property at an ex-
pense not exceeding So, 900. The bill was
also further amended by giving the COM
missioners full power to compel the recall
citrant prisoners to work by such punish
ment as may be deemed necessary
WATER WORKS.
The bill providing for the issuance Of
$500, 900 in bonds for the purchase and
extension Of the city water works system
was recommended to pass. Also, and in
cident thereto, q proposed constitutional
amendment authorizing any city of 5000
pOpuldllOH W ltNy IDA OH oil dUUttlHS 3
property for the construction and main
tenance of water mains, and providing
the mode of collecting water rents, pen
alties, etc.
REDEEMING BONDS.
A motion was adopted authorizing Gen.
Sanborn to draw bill for the issuance of
$4,000 per cent. bonds to take up GER
tain 10 per cent. bonds of Ramsey county,
falling due next year.
WIDENING FORT STREET.
The bill providing for~the widening of
Fort street from the city limits to Fort
Smelling to width of one hundred feet,
and Stewart avenue from the city limits
to its intersection with Fort to width of
sixty feet, was amended to provide
for the appointment of commissioners of
condemnation by the district court, with
no power of appeal, and recommended
for passage.
| HIGH SCHOOL
The next bill taken up was one author
izing the expenditure of $4,000 for the
purchase of lands and erection of school