Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-12-09
PHlLADELPHIA'S AUTOCRAT.
Great Powers TO Re Invested i'm the
Next Mayor.
SWEEPING REFORMS IN THE MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT
UNDER THE BULIITT BILL


A telegram to the New York Herald from Phila-
delphia says: All political talk now centers I'm the
Mayoralty contest, which is eagerly discussed
wherever politicians meet 1t is natural that this
should be the case, for the coming campaign Will
be the most important one that has ever taken
place In the municipal history OF this country
The new mayor will make the first trial OF govern
ing the city under the guidance OF untried act,
approved June 1, 1896, popularity known as the
Bullitt BILL which goes into effect after the first
Monday of next April Its chief points are: The
mayor will hold Office for four years, with salary
of $l2 600 per annum, and will not be eligible to re-
election; will be q member OF all boards excepting
that OF building inspectors; can appoint all the
members OF the health board, the directors OF
public works, OF public safety and commissioners
OF charities and correction His power will not be
10y any ways limited. and he can remove any of
his appointments; all power will center In him,
and he viii be executive in fact as well as by title
CUTTING DowN rHK DEPARTMENTS.
The operations OF the Bullitt bill Will make
sweeping changes in the manner OF performing
the business OF the city. Six boards and commits
sions will be wiped out OF existence, the board OF
health cut down to five members, and the number
of departments will be reduced TO nine. They
Will be the departments OF public safety, public
works taxes city treasurer, city controller. law,
educ alton, charities and correction and sinking
fund.
OF these departments, those OF city treasurer,
commission win be connected as heretofore. The
principal changes will be the combining under the
department. OF charities and correction, the aims
house and the house OF correction. The boards
which now look after their interests will 90 out of
existence.
NEW ORDER OF THINGS.
The department OF public safety will be admin
istered and controlled by one director who will be
its head He will have to be over 30 years OF age
a citizen OF Philadelphia for five years and an in.
habitant OF the city for the flve years previous
his appointment, and must reside within the city
during his term OF Office. This director will ne
ceye salary OF s., 500 per annum, and furnish Sc
curity for faithful discharge of his duties to the
amount of SIS, 900. This department win embrace
the present departments OF police, health, fire.
electrical erection Of fire escapes, building in
spectors, Inspectors OF steam engines and boilers
food and all other matters connected with the
health Of philadelphia, water excepted. The
board OF building inspectors under this depart
carpenters, bricklayers and masons II viii have
three members and each must be of q different
trade The care and control Of fire escapes, police
boxes Will all be with this department.
The department of public works win be admin
present departments OF water, gas, highways,
bridges. sewers, surveys, markets, wharves, city
property and city tceboats. As the board Of trus-
department will have supervision over everything
that now pertains to that board.
over the department OF taxes the receiver will
preside He win be paid $40, 900 year salary and
must be qualified like the heads Of the above de-
partments This department will collect all rents
and income due to the city from gas, water, per-
mitS, wharfage, markets, &C.
The department or charities and correction will
be under the control and management OF five d.
rectors. 1t will embrace the present department
Of the house Of correction the department OF the
guardians OF the poor and the almshouse. as above
These directors will also control all the city's
charitable and hospital Institutions.
IMPORTANT BOARDS WIPED OUT
The important boards wiped out are those OF
fire commissioners, guardians of the poor man
ayers OF the house of correction fire escapes and
the gas trustees. All the books and documents
OF each OF these boards Will be placed In charge OF
the new departments to which they are assigned.
The mayor will appoint the directors OF the new
councils will confirm them. No dual offlce-hOld-
ing Will be permitted among those holding posi-
lions OF profit.
The mayor can remove his appointees by In
forming the select council OF his Intention ac-
companied by his written reasons for so doing. All
discharges, appointments and engagements OF
labOTers and clerks in the newly created or en-
larged departments will be made by the directors
of the departments. As these directors will be APP
p0intees OF the mayor, the logical conclusion is
that the mayor win control every man working
for the city.