River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1885-02-19
TO THE PUBLIC.

| Charter which has been prepared for the
| consideration Of the voters and taxpayers
| of the village of River Falls, with a view
| to its adoption if it shall meet their APP
prevail
A printed charter, containing fuller
details. may be seen at the office of A. p.
| Weld
In the consideration and preparation of
this charter quite large number of citi-
zens have participated actively and earn
estly. 1t has been their aim to attain a
form for local government that shall be
simple direct, economical, free from
abuses and promotive of the best inter-
ests of all concerned. Careful and candid
consideration of its provisions is earnestly
invited.
The advanced stage of the legislative
session, and the further fact that new
business is cut off after the 10th inst
have rendered it imperative that initia-
tory action be commenced at once if it
should be desired that the charter be
enacted ut this session of the legislature.
Measures have therefore been taken to
secure its introduction, printing and adj
vancement through the preliminary sta
ges Of legislation which will probably
occupy at least two weeks. Its further
progress will then await the popular YER
dict of approval or disapproval and will
be governed accordingly.
TERRITORIAL LIMITS.
All of Section /, and the North half of
Section II, Town q, Range 19, and the
East half of Section 6, Town q, Range Is,
all in the county of Pierce, and the South
half of the South half of Section Sc, Town
IS. Range 10, and the South half of the
Southwest quarter of Section 81, Town %,
Range Is, all in the county of st. Croix,
to constitute the City of River Falls.
WARDS.
All of said territory lying in the county
of St. CroiX to constitute Ward /.
All of said territory lying South OF the
county line between Pierce and st. Croix
counties and North of the center line of
Sections / and and East of the Klnnlc-
kinnic river to constitute Ward 2.
All of said territory lying West of the
Kinnickinnic river to constitute Ward g.
The remainder of said territory to con-
stitute Ward 4.
CORPORATE AUTHORITY.
The corporate authority of said city to
be vested in Common Council, consist
ing of Mayor and one Alderman from
each Ward.
ELECTIVE OFFICERS.
The elective officers to consist of q
Mayor, Treasurer, Assessor, one Justice
of the Peace at large; and from each
ward one Alderman, one Supervisor, one
Justice of the Peace, and one Constable.
APPoINTIvE OFFICERS.
The appointive officers are a City Clerk,
a City Marshal, Street Commissioner and
such other officers as may be found nee
essary.
TERM OF OFFICE.
Justices of the Peace may be elected
| for two years-all other officers for one
year.
SALARIES.
The Mayor and Aldermen serve with
out salaries-or other compensation.
City Treasurer's salary same as Town
Treasurer's.
City Clerks salary to fixed by the COM
mon council but cannot exceed Two Hun
| bred dollars.
| CITY Marshal's compensation to be
! fixed by common council when serving
! in other capacity than that of constable
or deputy sheriff.
CITY Assessors salary to be fixed by
common council. And after first election
| common council to fix and publish before
| annual election salaries of all officers fol-
the ensuing year.
DUTIES OF OFFICERS.
The supervisors are members of the
county board of the county wherein they
reside and representatives of the city
therein, and may also be inspectors OF
city elections.
The Justice of the Peace at large has
civil and criminal jurisdiction co-exten
siye with the limits of Pierce and st
CroiX counties.
The City Marshal has the powers of q
constable or deputy sheriff in both coun'
ties.
The duties of other officers are suffi
GENTLY indicated by their names, and al
subordinate officers are subject to the
control and direction of the common
council, except as otherwise provided by
general law.
ELECTIONS.
The annual election to be held on the
first Tuesday in April. After the first
election, the Common Council may pro
vide that all elections may be held a
one polling place for each county, provld
ing separate poll lists and ballot boxes
for each ward when necessary; and a.
special CITY elections for other than ware
purposes the poll for the entire city may
be held at one place. All elections to b'
by ballot.
| SCHOOL.
The boundaries of the school distric
and the government of the same remains
as at present
CORPORATE POWERS.
The corporate powers are such as arr
usually given to all like municipalities
everywhere, and pertain mainly to sucl
matters as universal experience ha
found necessary for the preservation 0
health. peace, good order and the gener
al well being of the communities.
The usual provisions for organization
and protection against fires have beer
adopted, but it is provided that no money
can be expended for such purposes unit
the question has first been submitted to
vote of the people and an appropriation
voted therefor.
FINANCE.
All monies received for fines, penalties
and licenses inure to the benefit OF the
city and become part of the genera
fund.
The city council cannot levy to exceed
seven mills on the dollar OF assessed val
uation of property, for all general purpos
es in any one year, nor can they borrow
money or incur Indebtedness beyond til c
amount of the revenue for the current
year. All special levies and all levies in
excess of seven mills on the dollar mus
first be authorized by vote of the people
ASSESSMENT OF FARMING LANDS.
All lands not plated, and used for agri-
cultural purposes are to be assessed as
farming lands
MISCELLANEOUS.
Provision is made for an equitable
division of property and debts between
the city and tie different towns from
which its territory is taken.
Also for the use, by the city, of the