St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-11-18
MINNEAPOLIS
NEEDED LEGISLATION.

In view of some Of the remarkable ell
actments of the last legislature for the
regulation of the municipal affairs
of Minneapolis, it will be well tt
anticipate the possible antics tina,
may be played by the rural law
makers with our local govern
ment. The newly elected members
to the legislature are exercising c0nSid-
cradle prudence in the expression OF
their opinions as to what legislation is
needed. 1t seems to be generally agreed,
however. that most of the work of the
last legislature as affecting Mime
apolis must be undone. 1t is
the creation of the police commission
and the increase of aldermen to the
number of thirty nine, including the
reapportionment of the city was to ac-
complish certain partisan ends. The
recent Republican victory now has rem
dered these enactmentS unnecessary,
and their repeal is favored. A Re-
publican mayor has been elected
hence police commission is unneceS-
Sary. The Republicans have the coun-
Gil by an overwhelming majority, SO
there will be no objection to cutting
down the number of aldermen. The
Republicans were careful at the recent
election to run their strongest alder
manic candidates for the four year
terms, so if the officers of the two-year-
term aldermen are abolished they will
hold over until the next presidential
election.
Freeman z. Lane is probably the
freest to express his convictions, and he
says the police commission must go and
the number of aldermen reduced from
three to one from each ward, with four
at large. He believes also in modify
ing the patrol limits TO include, or rather
exclude, certain business portions OF
the city that have become thickly set
tied since the dead line was established;
notably, its removal further west on
Nic0llet and Hennepin avenues so as to
allow the sale of liquor at certain large
hotels. He alse believes in abolish
ing the fee system in county
offices. excepting that of sheriff, and
the substitution of fair salary with
provision for clerk hire. Further than
this he will not commit himself any
more than to say that he does not be-
lieve in the passage of any more blue
laws for the purpose of tying the town
up He thinks there should be a
board of public works, and a general
effort in the direction Of economy and
reform.
/ Aid. E. M. johnson. who is response
BILE for much of the legislation com
planned of, and who is liable to be re-
sponsible for considerable more. claims
that the police commission should be re-
r.; hn dacivnc thJS FOR
appearance sake, in view of the fact
that the public generally considers
that the commission was created to rob
a Democratic mayor of his power. He
maintains the reason that the commits
sion has been found so objectionable is
largely because of it's personnel, and
that the fault can be remedied as the
terms of the present commission expire.
He is in favor of having the number of
aldermen reduced to twenty, giving
one from each ward. and providing
for seven at large. He thinks, too, the
aldermanic salary should he reduced.
Although the Republican legislature is
responsible for increasing the salary to
S120 from $500, he sets up the curious
claim that it was done through the in
tiuence OF the Democratic members of
the legislature.
~
E. J. Davenport, another legislator
elect who is liable to exert an influence.
SAYS he will not move to abolish the fee
system in county Offices, by which he
has profited so much himself. However,
he will not oppose bill to substitute
a fair salary if he considers it an
equitable one. These views can be
simply taken as Indicative of the feel
ing that the work of the coming legisla-
ture must, in response to popular de-
mand, b., in the direction of economy,
and for the benefit of the community
rather than to meet party and political