Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-02-08
COMMON COUNCIL.

and vice president being absent, Aid.
PilIsbury was called to the chair
The appointment of o. M. Bulchette as
special policeman for duty at the Academy
of Music was confirmed.
An invitation from the st. Paul, Min
neapolis & Manitoba Railroad company
to participate in an excursion to st. Cloud,
on next Saturday over the new line of
road, was accepted, and Aid. Glenn chosen
commissiary for the excursion.
The usual number of petitions and COM
munications were referred to appropriate
committees. An alderman is to be chosen
at the next meeting.
In the matter of inspecting the records
and accounts of the clerk of the munich
pal court as regards the moneys passing
through his hands, the comptroller reported
that he had abandoned the
work Although the books and
accounts appeared correct and
the clerk seemed anxious to give all aid
possible, and that the books showed that
the clerk had paid INTO the treasury $26
more than the receipts showed, the comp
troller was unacquainted with the system
of bookkeeping adopted by the clerk and
therefore was not competent to perfect or
conclude the inspection. The matter was
referred to the city attorney.
warrant for $26 was ordered to be
drawn up in favor Of the clerk of the mu-
nicipal court to balance its books.
The comptroller reported having ex-
amined the books OF the superintendent of
the water works, and suggested certain
remedies for what he deemed errors in
checking up. Referred to the city attor-
ney to make an arrangement that all
money may pass through the comptroller's
hands.
The report of the clerk of the
municipal court for January, showing
$1,519 received, was referred.
The committee on claims reported back
the budget of claims for January as cor
rect, and recommended that warrants be
drawn for 1.-THE proper parties. Adopted
and the warrants authorized.
Respecting the matter of the meeting of
the committees from the city council,
board of trade and chamber Of commerce,
to take action respecting bill creating a
park commission, which meeting made
certain recommendation, Aid. Glenn
moved:
WHEREAS, Said board of commissioners
are by the terms of said bill to be ap-
pointed by the legislature, and are not de-
pendent on the people for their Office, nor
responsible 70 them for their acts; there
fore be it
RESOLVED, By the city council that we
do hereby enter our protest
- II fo,
following reasons:
First-That the creation of board of
park commissioners and the purchase of
parks, have never been asked for by the
people and tax payers of the city, neither
have they been consulted.
Second-Ssid bill gives to said board
control of large sum of money to be ex-
pended by them in buying and selling
lands, levying taxes and expanding the
same according to their own will and
pleasure, and that, too, without consulting
the people directly or indirectly.
Third-Said bill gives to said board the
right to condemn private property for
public parks, without consulting the wishes
or desire of the people, and to lay out
said land into town lots and sell
or lease the same without any restriction
whatever.
Fourth-Said bill authorizes the board
Of commissioners to assess taxes on prop
erty surrounding the parks which they may
purchase or condemn.
Fifth-Said bill authorizes said board to
increase the public debt of the city, to
borrow money from time to time, to issue
bonds at An interest not to exceed the rate
Of To tho h11r1an of
taxation from $25,O00 to 100000 a year,
and without the consent of the people, and
may be against their wishes.
Seventh-Said bill ignores any right of
the people and provides no way for them
to be heard, either by the election
of the board or through the city
council. 1t allows them no way
to express their wishes as to the number,
location or cost of parks, and their only
use according to this committee bill is
to pay the taxes.
Eighth-The browning feature of this
model bill is section II, and the language
of the section is so plain that it is inserted
here: ''This act being in the nature of a
contract between the city of Minneapolis
and certain owners of property therein to
be assessed for special benefits, shall not
be amended or repealed without the con-
sent of the board of commissioners"
RESOLVED, That in the opinion of the
city council the city is in more need of
effective sewerage, a city hospital, house
of correction, extension of the
water works system and city
limits, public streets improved,
and bridges built over railroads running
across streets than she is in need of spend
ing money around Lake Calhoun.
Resolred, That no bill should be passed
by the legislature looking toward the in
crease of the debts of the city for parks
without submitting it to the people for
their approval at the annual election fol
city officers, and if it should meet with
their approval said commissioners shall be
elected by the people.
| Aid. Watt was not aware that any com
MI ttee from the council had been delegat
ed to act in conjunction with any Other
committees on such matters, and was op-
posed to the proposed bill and in favor o.
the protest.
Aid. Glenn explained that he was in "a
vor of public parks, but believed in giving
! to the people the right to elect the com