St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-01-03
THE BANNER WARD.
First Meeting Of the Citizens Union
for 1885 Held Last Evening.
Various Matters of Local Interest Discussed
by the Enthusiastic Sixth
Warders.

ardor of the residents of the Banner ward"
last evening and the regular meeting OF the
Citizens union held in Bircher's hall,
was consequently largely attended. The
president, Mr.. Campbell, called the meeting
to order promptly at 1880, and Secretary
Lawton read the minutes Of the last Getting,
which were approved.
Mr.. l.. Lewis, for the committee on leg
isation, reported as follows:
We, the undersigned committee, respect
fully report that we do not consider It advis-
able 10 adopt plan whereby local improve
ment taxes are TO be paid in installments,
but recommend that the present be amended
so that the interest on local improvement
tax certificates be reduced from "a per cent.
to IL per cent. per annum, or per cent. per
month, and that the time for redemption ex-
pire in three years from date Of sale, in
stead of two years, as 1t is now.
We further recommend that no local I'm
provements be ordered unless at least one
half the resident property owners lac
cording to the number of front feet
owned by then) to be assessed there
for, shall petition for such improve
ment, except in case of streets which
are necessary to be- graded to protect sewerage
or water mains. And that the notice be
served previously on all such resident prop
erty owners to be assessed, before such i'm
provement be ordered by the common coun-
ell. Signed, A. L. Lewis, A. VI. Lawton, F.
f. Wilde, w. Erdmau. E. II. Wood. The
report was adopted.
The committee on hiring hall reported
that Rebholtz's hall had been offered at 500
per annum. The committee was instructed
TO accept Mr.. Rebholtz's offer.
The treasurer, Mr.. Dale, reported that
seventy-one members had joined the
union, and ffty-two had paid up
their fees; that after paying some
small accounts, there remains a balance of
S9S in the treasury.
On motion of Mr. Wilde, the secretary was
instructed TO prepare list and have printed
on slips the names of all the members of the
union, for the purpose OF election tickets to
be used ut the election of directors next We'd
nesday.
The president named as judges of election
z. II. Wood, John Dale and j. Y. Wilgus.
Mr.. Lawton offered his office for the pur
pose Of electing directors, which will take
place on Wednesday between the hours of q
and 10 p. M. The offer was accepted.
On motion the report of the committee on
legislation was reconsidered, which led TO
lengthy debate in which Judge Wood, Mr..
Witmaarck, Mr.. Wiigus and Mr.. LawtOn,
took part, the latter showing that the "a per
cent is great barrier to Improvements and
makes money tight TO small borrowers; he
considered II per cent. tax certificates were
a good investment. The state or the city got
nothing he conteuded out OF the present sys-
TEN; 1t was only a fat carcass for a few
mOnied vultures to feed on, OF whom s. d.
Lord is the worst, Mr.. Lawton asserted.
Judge Wood argued for the Omaha
system and stated that the city
borrows money at per cent for sewers aud
so forth, and even then can get bonus and
he questioned whether money can be OBJ
tanned for II per cent for the other improve
ments of the city. He urged that the report
be referred back to the committee.
Mr.. Lewis stated that Mr.. Murray is against
paying taxes by instruments, and lie was GER
tain that the council committee on legisla-
ture will report adversely Mr. st. Peter
thought it possible to get through such bill
In spite of that committee, but he thought
that il would be policy to urge a bill which
1t would be possible to pass. II
the tax certificates were not bought
up they would fall back upon the
city and the city can lend taxpayers money
at IL per cent. when 1t can hire money at
per cent
Mr.. Erdman spoke in favor Of reconsider
ing the question. Mr.. Murray should hardly
t cOnsil cred as he avoids the question and
will talk upon anything outside of Mr.. Cor
mans plan of extending the term for paying
for improvements over three years.
Mr.. Wide spoke spiritedly in favor OF the
report of the committee and urged its adop-
ton and its presentation 10 the chamber of
commerce. Judge Wood spoke in favor Of
delay; lie thought something better might be
obtained. He thought that the installmert
plan should be- obtained II possible aud II not
then a reduction of interest should be urged.
Mr.. Erdmau's motion to refer the report
back to the committee on legislation was
carried. The meeting then adjourned.