The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1891-02-19
,AuK CENTRE HERALD.
THURSDAY FEBRuARY 10, 1891.
THE CHARTER.

A second meeting to consider amend
ments to The city charter was held at
the court rooms on Thursday evening
last. 1t was well attended and repre-
sentative gathering. 1t was presided
over by the mayor. A. H. Petit acting
as secrtary. The committee, through
its chairmay; Judge Wilcox, submitted
draft of amendments suggested at the
previous meeting, which were discussed
at some length, the debute assuming
wide range-a sort of a go-as-you-please
tone pervading the meeting. Alexander
Moore moved that the charter be so
amended that all the officers of the city
receiving any compensation from the city
for their services be elected directly by
he.people. After discussion this motion
was adopted without a dissenting voice.
It was subsequently, modified, after a
running debate, by making the Office of
street commissioner and city clerk cleo
tive, and leaving the chief fpolice, pound
master, janitor of the city hall, etc., to
be appointed as at present provided in
the charter. The manner Of filling va
cancies was discussed, and there was a
decided difference of opinion. Josiah
Cooper moved to reconsider the action
of the previous meeting, which provided
for filling vacancies by the board of
aldermen, and there seems to be a mis-
understanding as to the final conclusion
Troublesome having the understand
ing that the appointment system was
recommended, and others believing that
the choice by special election was car
ried. At the next meeting, to be held on
Saturday evening next at the same place
this business will be cleared up.
5. The question OF the cost of election
under the charter was considered, and
opinions were conflicting. 1t was claim
ed that the expense was merely nominal,
the aldermen being entitled to no pay for
services as Judge of election. The fact
was elected however, that it has alw avs
been. the custom to pay aldermen the
usual fec for their services.
1t was decided to do away with the
Office of fire warden, the chief of the fire
department to discharge the duties and
functions of that Office, and to be paid
as the fire warden has been. This puts
the control of the preventive and pre-
.cautionary regulations relative to fire
under control of the fire department,
where it belongs.
There were a number of expressions
relative to the general plan of city gov
ernment given by those present, and the
meeting was very interesting indeed
sho wing that the people take lively
interest in self government. Messrs.
Hogan and Morse of the committee on
amendments being absent, Messrs Van
Camp and Hendryx were added, and the
committee was instructed to draw
amendments in accordance with the
recommendations of the meeting. Hav-
ing concluded its business, the meeting
adjourned.
The committee met on Monday after
noon, and labored long and faithfully to
arrive at unanimous report in accord
ance with the suggestions above given.
but there was a difference of opinion
which will probably be submitted to a
meeting to be held on Saturday evening
next. The action was harmonious, but
the differences of opinion were too wide
to be harmonized. Everyone interested
in economical and effective government
should attend the meeting on Saturday
evening, and enter into the discussion.
There is no feature of popular govern
ment which strikes so close to the iudi-
vidual as that of the city in which he
lives