St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-01-31
REDUCE THE COUNCIL.

EX-Ald. Bob Ervin-YeS, L think we
have got too many aldermen, aid ought
to have the number very largely re-
duced. don't think the salary part of
the scheme is good, though. The salary
is none too large now. and if thirteen
pen are to do the work that thirty
nine do now and attend to it faithfully
they certainly ought not to be asked to
90 it for less money. A board of pub
lie works should be created to act in
conjunction with so small council.
Aid. Tom DownS-1he measure is
Just what | have advocated for long
time, except that don't see that alder
y men at large are any good at all. They
are responsible to no one, and are worse
than useless. 1t we are to reduce the
number, make it one from each ward,
and then let us create good board of
public works, the powers of which shall
be purely executive and all whose acts
shall be under the direction of the coun-
ell. Then we will get good work. The
matter of salary is of minor Importance.
Aid. Joseph Ingenhutt-The bill
meets my views exactly. Here is a
town of 100000 inhabitants with more
aldermen than New York finds neces-
sary to conduct her city government. l
think seventeen aldermen and board
Of public works would hit the nail on
the head.
A Thoughtful Republican-We may
have few too many aldermen now, but
seventeen are hardly enough; there
would be too much work for each to do.
| am not in favor of such move.
Aid. +. G. BarroWS 1t is my idea eX-
actly: reduce the council to one alder
man from each ward. Think, however,
there should be six Instead of four
aldermen at large.
Charles Hanscom-There is no doubt
but the plan is "a good one and step in
the right direction. Even the aldermen
themselves would favor it, | think.
Fred B. Snyder-The reduction of
the number of aldermen would certain
ly be good thing for Minneapolis, as
there are far too many now. In regard
to the salary each alderman should re-
ceive | hardly know what to say. If it
is put up high it is sure to attract lot
Of salary grabberS, who want the Office
only for the money there is in it. If
the salary was placed at figure so low
that these men would not make a fight
for it, and good men would still be will
ing to take it, happy medium would
be struck, and we would get better
council.
John NJ. MiIler-Both the plan to re-
duce the number of aldermen to thir-
teen and four at large, and to cut the
salaries down to $500 a year, are good,
and it would be well for the city if they
were put into execution. 1t would re-
suit in a saving to the city of S2.700 an
nually, and the city's business would
be transacted in better shape Why
New York has less aldermen than has
Minneapolis. There is no sense in our
having as many as we have now.
John F. Peterson-It strikes me that
it would be a very good idea to reduce
the number of aldermen to thirteen and
four at large. am not prepared to say
much in regard to the salary, but should
think that $500 year would be about
right.
S. L. Baker-While the plan is a good
one, would go still further. My plan
would be to have one alderman from
each ward and two at large, and pay
them but 5000 a year. Such a plan
service. 1t is the height of absurdity to
have as many aldermen as we have now.
This is shown every day.
j. n. Nind-I think that it's right. |
agree with Mr. Lane on that subject,
but | don't agree with him as to the
adjustment of the police commission.
W, H. Tripp-There is no question
but that the number of aldermen
should be cut down. The salary is now
too large. The proper figure would be
500, for it is fact, that the lower the
salary the better class of men you Will
get in the lower legislative bodies.
j. V. McHugh-The cutting down of
the number of aldermen is all right,
but the salary should not be touched.
F. H, Boardman-I should think that
it was good thing. 1t would make a
good deal better working body than
they now have.