Telegram-herald., 1890-12-06
A SPECIAL SESSION
20 Take Action Upon the Proposed
Charter Anasndmsats.
I'D NOST OF THEa WERE ADOPTED
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tsl1sctsEs DECEASED

- -tt9 N4-A3e4s &e Nt4-A nave Dccu EA-
pected, considering the fact that they
nad been specially invited 10 appear
and take part IA tie discussions Oh the
proposed charter amendments.
The report of the Committee On
Charter Amendments VAS presented
and iirst read in full, together with an
additional report by Alderman Turner.
The hrst proposed amendment was
that relating 70 the extension Of the
boundaries. The proposal was TO ex-
tend the boundaries OF the city, north
ward one-half mile, westward one-half
mile, southwark one mile and east
ward one mile, and Alderman Turner
moved It's adoption.
Alderman Carpenter thought the
council ought 10 hire hack and DO
what Jonah did TO Ainevah, before a
vote could be taken with sufficient IN
tellgence.
The citizens present being invited 10
express their views, L. ID. Gilbert said
it would be a sorry day for Grand Rap
IDS when u Was made larger, but mas
much as the vote for il was tOregone
conclusion. he declined 10 state his
reasons for the faith that was in him.
AT. ;. White being called upon, said
he was present only 10 learn and not TO
teach.
President Stebblns opposed the pro-
posal, aud stated that there are at pres
ent IN the city a population OF only
eleven persons TO the acre.
William WlddicOmb spoke from the
standpoint OF a man appreciating the
business importance of an increase OF a
city's population, and the extension OF
municipal privileges to all the people
who come TO Us and who, though they
settle IN the suburbs or 90 Just without
the limits, are natural part OF the
city's population.
Alderman Mills was in favor of en-
larging the limits, but thought the pro-
posed enlargement was too great.
Upon the vote the proposal carried by
very large majority.
The next proposal was that no change
) he made IN the arrangement OF the
wards, beyond what would be inevl-
table IN the extension of the limits.
The proposal was carried without oppo-
sition.
The third proposal gave rise TO long
and warm discussion. 1t was proposed
TO take the office of the city director of
poor from the list of elective offices,
and make It appointed by board to bs
created by uniting the functions of the
poor Office and the Board of Health; To
unite the offices of city physician and
health officer; and to call the board
thus constituted "The Board of Health
and City Poor"
The debate on this proposal ran very
warm, and no conclusion was reached,
but, on motion of Alderman Turner,
the matter was postponed until the
next meeting of the council, to be
called for the consideration of the
amendments.
The next section of the report was q
negative one. The committee had been
urged to adopt some changes IN the
method of dealing with street and high
way matters, but the committee thought
no changes ought to be made. THIS
section WAS adopted.
The next recommendation adopted
was to the effect that the senior alder
man of each ward be member OF the
Board of supervisors, IN order that the
city might have proper representation
on that board.
The mex, proposal of the report was
TO abolish the Office of ward collector.
and that the taxes be paid directly to
the city treasurer, and was carried after
long debate.
The next proposed was that the taxes
he payable in the summer, but the
state, county ana school taxes be pay
able as now provided by law. The re-
port was adopted.
The following recommendations were
adopted after various expressions OF
opinion: That section eight Of title
three of the charter be amended SO as
70 provide that the passage of any ordl-
nance imposing penalty, providing
for license, or granting OF franchise,
shall require the Affirmative vote OF a
majority Of all the members elect
That the powers OF the council TO re-
guate pawn-brOking be also extended
to dealing in secondhand goods and
merchandise. That the council have
power to provide for taking census OF
thc inhabitants of the city rs originally
provided in subdivision 81 OF section
ten. title three. ofthe charter of 1888.
That the council have authority TO
license and regulate employment
agencies and labor oureaux. That the
council have authority TO order
the trimming aud care OF shade
trees planted in the streets OF the
city, At the expense of TIE adjoining
lot owners. That section II OF title
be extended to the lighting OF the city
With electric and other lights, as Well as
gas. That section 81 OF title 3 be
amended 50 ss 70 empower the council
% provide regulations governing the
safe Of m IA said city, and inspect
lng and preventing the aduiteraton,
etc. Of the same.
The recommendation also passed,
proposing the passage Of egislasion eIn-
poweriug the Common Council Of the
cify % sue bonds 70 pay for the paw
ing snd grading Of streets, and u
allow TIE property owners to ray Tor
such Improvements BY InstaAmenis,
The period Rot 10 exceed il any case
FIVE years. sad unpaid fnstslimsnts 70
bear interest At the rate 0f per cent,
and tie bonds 30 draw interest a. TIE
rate Of 5 per cent
Alderman Turner made = motion
which was Adopted, that the recon
nleudsts0ns ss already passed be hand
ed over @ the city attorney, 20 be put
Iuto proper legislative order
The Converse Company Fire
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