St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-01-31
DOUBLE HEADED COUNCIL.
1t Would Work to the Disadvan-
tage of the City.

To the Editor of the Globe.
In response to an invitation by Sec
rotary Tallmadge L attended special
meeting of the chamber of commerce
last evening, held for the purpose of OBJ
tanning an expression of the views Of
the chamber in the matter of proposed
legislative action affecting municipal
affairs of the city, particularly the con-
duct Of its financial affairs, and the pro-
posed radical change of our present
common council from a single to a
double b0dy-one to be the
lower house, consisting Iof one
alderman from each ward, the other to
be the upper house, consisting of nine
aldermen elected at large throughout
the city. Call each of these bodies by
whatever name you please, they are
separate and distinct, before whom all
matters of city business must be intro
duced and acted on; and no motion,
resolution or ordinance can be passed
or adopted unless by majority at least
of each of those bodies. If this is cor
rect as to what the friends of a dual
council desire, | would like to know in
the first place, what is the matter with
the present system of a single common
council? Has anything wrong been dis
covered as to its workings? And If so
the people ought to know it. Ii not,
then why disturb the present order of
things in that regard?
Another very grave objection pre-
sentS itself to my mind as to the pro-
posed change which, in the discussion
last evening, seemed to be lost sight OF,
and that is the question of taxation
without representation" No form of
government is perfect unless based upon
the principle of taxation and represent
tation, which should 60 hand in hand,
without fear, favor or Partially to any
one. Now let us analyZe this subject,
keeping In view the principles above
cited, and take our present city council
composed of eleven aldermen Zone from
each ward), and six aldermen at large.
In order to pass anything of an ordinary
nature before that body requires nine
votes-a simple majority. And where
the question pending involves all eX-
penditure of money it requires three
and then must receive the approval of
the mayor before any proceedings of the
council can become legal and valid.
Compare this with the proposed dual
BODY, comprising eleven ward aldermen
and nine aldermen at large, each acting
as separate body, requiring the con-
currence Of majority of each before
any measure can be PASSED, to-wit: Six
votes i'm the lower branch and five votes
in the upper, eleven votes III ala less
number than required under the present
system, where any appropriations or
expenditures of moneys are called for.
Another serious objection to the dual
body is the fact that five men i'll the
upper branch or six in the lower can
control the whole of our city legislation.
while under the present council organ
ization it would require nine votes on
ordinary subjects, and twelve votes on
money expenditures to attain the same
results.
Which of these two systems contain
the best and strongest guards around
our city finances, and check to anY:eX-
travagance?
1t hardly admits of question that the
present common council is more OF
representative body that would be a
dual council, therefore should not be
disturbed.
Aside from that. there is no doubt that
great savings could be accomplished i'm
our city and county expenditures by
thorough examination into the different
departments. Lop off wherever there is
an opportunity without detriment to the
public interests; better define duties
of the heads Of departments; eurtail
powers of expanding money without its
being first submitted to some independ-
dent tribunal or commission, and in
every way judiciously apply the prun-
ing knife, whichIwill, to my mind. in the
aggregate, make very large saving to
city and county expenditures.
But unless some better reasons are
given than was heard last evening for
dual council, vote ''no' against the
proposition. The present council is
good enough. Let well alone. j. S.
st. Paul. Jan. 30. 1891.