Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1888-05-23
THE ADVANTAGES OF 1NcoRpoRArIon.

Inh AOtAHIANEo VI ANOV0k ONA AioN.
Some of the benefits derived and adj
vantages gained by the incorporation OF
our town as city under the general
law, may be learned by the perusal of
the statute as appearing in the session
laws of 1887.
Following are few of the points
noted:
The formal name will be the City of
Sturgis instead of Sturgis City. The
mayor will be elected for two years. If
.. vacancy of over one year occurs in the
Office, it must be filed by election; if
less than one year the aldermen elect
one of their number. The mayor will
preside over all meetings of the council,
but has no vote except in case of tie.
He has power to remove any official APP
pointed by him, but must explain to the
council HIS reasons therefor. He also
has the powers Of sheriff, as far as
matters governing the public peace are
concerned, within the city limits. He
can release prisoners sent up for break
ing city ordinances. The mayor has
also the privilege and power to en- anime
at any time the books and accounts Of
any city official He Has the power to
call on every male citizen over Is years
of age to aid in enforcing laws and or
dinances, and also in case of riot to call
on the militia. The veto power is also
placed in his hands, subject to the same
usage that congress enjoys, j. e., the
overriding of it by two-thirds Of the
city council. One Of the greatest adj
vantages derived is the fact that the
mayor has the appointing Of the chief of
police and subordinates, subject, how
ever, to the approval of the council.
This is right and proper power, as it
takes the office of principal peace officer
out of the realm of politics and increases
he chances of having appointed only
good and true officers. By having these
officers appointed in this manner they
will be entirely subservient to the town
council, and instead of the citizens look
ng to the officer himself in case he fails
% do his duty, they will hold the town
council responsible for his actions. Be-
ng appointed by the mayor, he is liable
o removal at any time if he fails to per-
orm his duties to the letter.
Concerning the council: In our city
council there will be six a1dermen-two
rom EACH ward elected for two years.
n our case, however, incorporation
> carried-one alderman from each ward
7ill serve one year, thus necessitating
n election each year for the election Of
hree aldermen. The great advantage
aimed by this method is easily dis
erned. When the end of year arrives,
hree aldermen step down and out, leav-
lg three for another year, who will be
ntirely conversant with the business of I
ne board and the condition of the city
heretofore after an election the old board (
ave retired, the new board installed,
ID before they could grasp the reins of +.
we, -nment in thoroughly comprehen- 4
ye man. ner, valuable time has gone by /.
Id the reluirements of the city suffered E
consequence. Under the new law no
[ch evils can occui. AS to what alder T
en- remain for two years, and who re-
re in one, is settled by lot ut the first,
Getting of the council after election.
IF the chair of an alder man is vacated
lring the year it must be filed by an
ection in the ward in which the vacancy
,curs. Mark this point. No citizen
IN become an alderman if in arrears to
1e city on any tax or other liability. |
mother thing: The yeas and nays
lust always be called upon the passage
all, ordinances and upon al PROPOSE
ions to create any Liability against the
city, or for the expenditure or approprria-
lion of the city's money. This places
upon record every alderman voting, and
will be Of inestilaable benefit to. voters
desiring to keep their oys on their alder
men. 1t also requires two.thirds vote
Of all the aldermen to sell any city Or
school property. The council will have
territorial jurisdiction in and over all
alaces within one-half mile OF the city
limits, for the purpose of enforcing
health and quarantine regulations and
ordinances The council also has the
power to control the finances and prop
erty of the city; appropriate money for
corporate purposes; provide for the pay
ment of debts and expenses; levy and
collect taxes, general and special, on
real and personal property; fix the
amount, terms and manner of issuing
and reyoking licenses; to borrow money