St. Paul daily globe., 1889-01-13
South st. Paul Citizens Will
Split Their City in
Twain.
Disaffeetion by a Majority in
Council, but Minority
in Population.
Three Wards Clog the Prog
peSS Of the Wheels of
State.
Appointment Of a Committee
to Gather Opinions Of
Citizens.

Representative men of South st. Paul
have concluded to emulate the example
of the great territory of Dakota, and
with that end in view have become
ardent champions OF division. Yester-
day afternoon at O'Clock the Office of
W. g. Denny, superintendent of the
stock yards, was filled with about fifty
of the most Influential men of South st.
Paul, on invitation of that gentleman
and j. N. Lawrence, who were flanked
by the five aldermen of that thriving
little city. The point at issue which
served as a magnet for drawing this
representative crowd was the announce
ment that the proposition to divide the
city would be discussed in open session,
and most of those who were interested
attended as all good citizens should.
The city of South St. Paul is COM
posed of five wards, the First and Fifth
of which have population OF about 600,
while the Second. Third and Fourth can
muster barely 220 at roll call. Each
ward is privileged to return an alder
man to the bosom of the city fathers,
and while the former wards have over
twice the population of their brethren
they are outnumbered when it comes to
a question of counting of noses, and
consequently could be out-voted with
impunity should occasion demand such
the minor fraction of the population
become commensurate with their un-
just right Of suffrage. And not only
are they Outnumbered in the council,
but the voters who dwell in the more
thickly populated portion of the city
say that the residents of the suburban
wards, like the ancient arIStOcrats of
the Capitoiine hill, grumble when they
are forced to bear the burden of taxa
tion, and object to any improvements
involving financial outlay which might
stop temporary leak in the vessel of
state. So the old adage that it is sweet
for brethren to
DWELL TOGETHER IN UNITY
was set somewhat at naught by the
residents of this thriving suburb of the
SANITY City, and while every man in
the community was at peace with his
fellow, the residents of the First and
Fifth wards faneied that the Second,
Third and Fourth wards were a
constant clog to the progress of i'm
provement, and while taking advantage
of ever benefit, were chary of meeting
<
any project tending toward the i'm
provement of the city at large was
brought before the council, if said pro-
ceedings involved any outlay of capital.
A gentleman who is prominently
identified with the interests of the Stock
Yards City, said last evening that the
charter of the city had enough loop
holes in it to admit of the passage of a
COW, and with q view of remedying that
evil a committee consisting of Aid.
Lawrence, Wentworth and Goldberg,
had been appointed to revise the
charter. But the latter gentleman had
been unable to meet with his cO-ad-
tutors, and as many claimed that the
committee was not developed, the meet
ing of yesterday was called.
The chairman selected was Hon.
Philip Crowley, and City Attorney
SchYoll acted as secretary. The pro-
ceedlngS were informal throughout and
mostly
PREPARATORY To FURTHER ACTION.
Before the amendments were present
ed, in fact. before those present were
objects of the meeting, the subject OF
lessening the limits of the city by cut
ting off the three western wards, came
up and occupied the entire attention of
those present. Timothy Holland. a
prominent manufacturer whose i'll
terests are i'll the First ward,
actively supported the proposition to re-
duce the city limits. He moved that the
question be referred to committee Of
the north and south wards, with in
structions to report at the next meeting.
In seconding the motion, Fred
Waterous, OF the WateF0us Engine
manufactory, said: "a movement of
this kind has been under consideration
for a long time, and l heartily
approve of it. 1t is un-
necessary for the wards along
the river to make the western wards
contribute to the improvements in this
section. Their interest are mostly in
| farming, and their aldermen naturally
oppose improvements needed here, or
else wish to extend them miles out into
| the country. where they are not needed.
| The First and Fifth wards are large
enough for the stock yards city: they
| contain the interests that contribute
| mostly to taxation. and they are deserv-
| ing of a proper municipal system. /
| heartily support the measure, and speak
| for one company on this question:
| Aid. George w. Wentworth said that
| while he was the representative of one
| of the western wards he advocated a re-
| duction of the city limits. 1t would re-
| duce the taxation of that section and
| should be acceptable to most of those on
| the western edge whose lands are still
| of the farming order. He desired the
committee to investigate the subject
carefully.
Frank Crawshaw, who lives in the eX-
treme southern part of South st, Paul,
| thought the committee might find it de
| sirable to make different division
from the one suggested. He desired tG
| be included among the farmers and
PAY LESS TAXES.
He said: 81 believe tn a meeting OF
| the taxpayers could put matters in such
shape that the present legislature would
annul the charter.
These remarks indicate the drift OF
| the discussion. The appointment OF
| the committee was heartily concurred
in. The committee consists of Messrs
George w. Wentworth, Hon. j. w. Me
| Grath, j. n. Lawrence, Fred Waterons
w. &. Denny and Philip Crowley. The
meeting adjourned until "Wednesday
| next at g O'Clock p. H., at Bryant's hall
South Park. at which time the consider
alton of the proposed amendments tC
| the charter, and of bonding the city tC
the extent of $4,000 to meet outstand
ing warrants, ETC.. will probably be re
sumed.