Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-04-11

VI odrlA "tro tdKen at cost or Sp34, S6I.76.
There were twelve and half miles of
new sidewalk constructed costing S20, 23O.
BRIDGES.
A strong, commodious and beautiful
iron Pratt-Truss bridge, costing $6S,6S4,-
go, has taken the place of the rickety old
Plymouth avenue bridge across the Missis-
sippi river in the northern portion of the
city. The much needed stone arch bridge on
Lyndale avenue across Bassstt's creek was
built last year at cost of S3,675,6O,
Substantial structures, the approaches be-
ing built by the city, were also built by the
st. Paul, Minneapolis q Manitoba rail
road company at the Holden street, West
ern avenue, University avenue, Fourth
street southeast and Fourteenth street
southeast crossing.
[ respectfully recommend that ap-
proaohes be built by the city and that
abuttments and bridges be ordered con-
structed by the railroad companies over
the railroad tracks as follows: Washing
ton avenue and Seventh street crossing of
the Chicago, Milwaukee &c st. Paul rail-
| road, and Washington avenue and Fourth
street crossing of the st. Paul, Minneapo-
lis u Manitoba railroad.
LAW DEPARTMENT..
Much credit for sound council and hard
labor is due the city attorney, Hon. G. H.
Benton, and his able assistant, G. w. N.
Pittman, Esq, for the last years work.
Besides their laborious duties in the mu-
nicipal court they have conducted to a
| termination six suits against the city, five
of them upon trial and one to dismissal,
all of which were determined in favor OF
the city. There are now pending in this
department eight suits in which the city is
defendant, viz: Stewart VS.. The City,
Lucia VS.. The City ct al, Hayward ct al.
VS.. The City and Board of Education.
Nichols VS.. The City; in reappeal of Mary
j. Wllkin, in reappeal of +. B. Cornell,
Campbell VS.. The City, and in reapplica-
tion of the Minneapolis & Northwestern
Railroad company for writ of mandamus
for the issue of $4,000 in bonds. The
case of Nichols and the appeal of Mary
j. Wilkin are now in the supreme court,
taken there by the adversary.
SUPERINTENDENT OF BUILDINGS.
In communication to the city council
| few months ago 1 recommended the pas
sage of an ordinance creating the Office of
superintendent of buildings. The result
was that lengthy and cumbersome draft
of an ordinance was presented. It gave
too many arbitrary powers. After taking
up the time of the council for several
/ meetings it was everlastingly pigeon holed.
The practice of putting up shoddy struct-
! ures, with comedy exteriors, which has pre-
vailed here for several years has COM
| menced again this year. An ordinance to
meet the requirements of this dangerous
mode of constructing buildings should be
passed at your next meeting, as the build
ing season is already upon US. The su-
perintendent of buildings should be
clothed with brief but decisive powers and
an opportunity given for an appeal from
his decision to q committee of the city
council; and in case of di sagreement
there, the case should be taken before the
council for final decision.
THE PARK SYSTEM.
At the last session of the legislature,
board of park commissioners was ap-
pointed for this city, and it was author
lied to issue bonds and condemn lands.
That act has been sanctioned by ma
jority of the people of the city, who voted
at the late election. I am in favor of
parks; and as the law makes the mayor a
member Of the commission, ex-oficio, it
becomes my official duty to serve. Ny
principal objections to the bill we're:
First-That if the people interested and
to be taxed were to b9 allowed to elect
their board of commissioners in 1884 they
should nave had that privilege at the
election held few days since. When the
peoples representatives are chosen next
year they will find 100000 or more planted
and a system inaugurated that cannot be
remedied, be it good Or bad.
Second am decidedly and emphatical-
ly opposed to power being granted to any
commission 10 issue the bonds of the city.
In my opinion that power should only be
vested with the city council, the local law
making power-the direct representatives
OF the people.
Third-The law was loosely drawn, and
worded in several sections SO as to make it
meaningless, or, as the courts may inter
pref it, mischievous. I trust that those Of
my fellow citizens who voted for the meas
IRE may never have cause to regret it.
1usCELLANEoUs RECOMMENDATIONS.
FIrst-That street sweeper be pur-
chased for use on the pavements already
laid and to be laid this summer.
Second-That an assistant driver be en-
plOyeQ TOT service Win Ine ponce patrOl
wagon.
Third-That the Office of city physician
be constituted an assistant to the health
officer and wholly under the management
and direction of the latter officer.
Fourth-That the council declare by
resolution that the first duty of street com
missioners shall be to keep the streets in
their respective wards clean and to repair
and put in passable condition, for pedest-
rians, all cross-walks.
Fifth-That licenses be put upon such
branches of business as are occupying
buildings and paying taxes and as are
interfered with and undersold by those who
hawk their wares and goods around the
streets and pay no taxes.
Sixth-That an ordinance be passed
authorizing the mayor, chief of police or
next officer in command, on duty, to take
bail and release from custody persons ar
rested for misdemeanors or violations of
city ordinances. Also directing the chief
of police to have taken from prisoners all
valaables, an itemized entry of the same
TO be made by the station house keeper
upon book to be kept for that purpose,
and then turned over to the chief or other