Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-30
4 COUNCIL CONFERENCE.
Several Members OF the Board Assemble
to Discuss the Situation.

The new City Council contains in til
ranks several gentlemen deeply impressed
with the gravity and Importance OF the
duties imposed on them. They regard
Their election as, in a measure, d vindica-
ton OF the position they had always main
tanned of the necessity for a radical change
In the conduct of the city's affairs. The
Old slipshod method of doing things will
accordingly have to give way to the march Of
progress, and things henceforth in the mu-
nlcipal line will be done secundum artem.
In order to accomplish this result, unity
and directness OF effort are prime necessi-
ties. A great deal of time can be spent in
Improbable discussion t Council meetings
unless the members come to the Council
board with a definite idea beforehand of
what is to be done. The Council members
profess to have the interest OF the city at
heart before any other consideration, party
or otherwise. They mean to give the CITY
the best government in their power. With
the object OF coming to an understanding
upon matters that will come before them
tonight, all the members were notified
that q meeting would be held yesterday
afternoon. 1t was learned that nine mem
OSAo WOAC PLOcouU OuU u Uu6 iOuFU6Gu ana
that the subjects of police appointments,
streets and sidewalks occupied the atten-
ton OF the gentlemen who responded.
Talking afterwards with a reporter, one of
the gentlemen present stated that the gen
erai opinion seemed to be that with
the extended limits the force would REQUIRE
enlargement to fourteen somewhat on the
following basis: At night, one policeman
to be permanently stationed at Main and
Broadway with one to patrol zach of the
seven wards and the Chief of Police in
command of thsm. In the daytime, the
Marshal and iailer and three policemen
would be on duty.
The duties of the Street Commissioner |
were considered at the meeting. The re-
porter's informant stated hat he re-
garded the duties OF that individual as |
very important and demanding all his at
tention in experimenting and directing the |
work OF the street department. "It is
folly" said he, ito expect him t drive al
cart, or do anything else than exercise a
supervision. | will recommend
we hire a foreman of carts and leave
the Commissioner free to give his attention
the proper duties of his office"
Are you going to do anything to i'm
prove the sidewalks?''
You can say it was the sense OF the
meeting that the sidewalks ON stills should
brought down to grade. They ought to
be made to conform to the natural grade
Of the streets until the streets are graded
an to the grade established. There is no
sense in having the sidewalks twenty-five |
years in advance of the streets themselves
n the matter of grade" l.
In making the appointments, the gentle
a was asked il it was the intention to
the present force entirely.
He replied no; that that would be in
udicions. He was in favor Of retaining
Iome, but whom he would not state.
A great many people seem to be of the
that there will be a pretty general
weep OF the present police force. One
Gentleman thought that after the Council .
,ets through tonight, not a member of the
I'D force will be left on it. In discussing
he subject q gentleman who always votes !
he Republican ticket straight said he
hought the fewer changes made in the ;
force the better Tor the city. "All :
hese men have been several years on the Z
orce," said he, and they bave
lad the advantage of watching the f,
classes for that length of
and have acquired valuable expert t,
nee. Whenever a crook comes to town Z
hey know it, and are on the watch for
i'm. don't believe IN allowing politics to :
inter- into the matter at all. What the :
ity wants is experienced men on the police :
)rce, and you can't remove the present :
len and maintain it's efficiency. One or :
changes wont hurt, bnt you can't put !
ew men in the places of the old men and =
ave as good service. 1t would take the
ew men a long time to become pc sted .
n criminal matters.p .