St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-02-09
LABOR DON'T LIKE IT.
The Lyeeum Hears Gen. San
born Talk Of His Charter
Bill,
But Sits Down on Most Of the
Features Of the Moribund
Act.
Reinsurance Commissioner
Shandrew Dies Very Sud-
denly.
Rev. w. S. Vail breaches In
terestingly on the Creed
He Holds.

Tn spite of the lnclemenC weather
large audience assembled in the largest
hall at labor headquarters yester-
day afternoon to take part i'll the dis
cussion of the Sanborn proposed city
charter, which is now pending before
the legislature. The bIlkIneSS OF the
charter prevented its being considered
seratim, so that committee was ap-
pointed to bring the most important
points before the lyceum. The COM
mittee submitted the following points:
The double council idea and the length
of the terms of aldermen; whether
there should be Incorporated III the
charter clause to prohibit the council
from giving away the use OF streets,
and the general question of license tax
on itinerant peddlers as measure OF
protective tariff in favor OF home mer-
chants. Senator Sanborn, who was
present by invitation, then delivered an
address:
He gave expression as Is customary at
such meetings. 10 the usual granhcalon OF
being given an opportunity to address SO IN
telligent audience of workmeE. lie thouSut
the increase in the population demands
more comprehensive charter. Inc questlon
of taxation is the chief reason why some
radical changes should be made. D1sburse-
ments Of the city exceed 5000 day. and
the present tax levy OF per cent IS m
adequate to meet current expenses ! ms
must be met either by an issue OF more BONDS
or by a change in the city government. Inc
present condition is due 10 the complex nat
ure of the old charter. y large number OF
boards able to create debts cause
a distrust. To remedy this, the mayor
should be made responsible, ana tne
power to levy taxes vested In
city council composed Of two houses. Inc
double council idea has precedence Ill ali
populous countries. The mouse OF loIus IN
England is a notable example 10 pc 1OuoWcd
double council would bring about good
government. The PROPOSED changes are in
tended mainly to benefit the poor people. as
the wealthy found no difficulty IN paying
taxes; some of the wealthy men nave eVeu
expressed willingness 10 pay or per
cent of their wealth in taxes There IS some
diversity of opinion among the ramsey
county delegation as TO the details OF the
new charter and some difficulty would be
met before ii passed the legislature. one OF
the main objections would be the reducu0n
of salaries and limiting the powers OF the
various boards. Senator Sanborn also
thought that valuable franchises would
yield large revenue if let to the highest
bidder for short period of time ana that
indications were favorable to the passage OF
have at least SIX or seven hundred thousands
dollars year to meet its obligations and
reduction i'll salaries will not be sufficient
to make up the deficit
After answering some questions, the
lyeeum gave the senator vote OF
thanks. A general discussion then fol
lowed, during which the double council
received special consideration.
j. j. Ryder thought the charter should be
referred 70 the people for vote. The new
charter is too long to be understood by the
average citizen.
&c. Ives deemed some of the features of
the new charter sound III principle, such as
that limiting the power of the various
boards but the idea of two houses is obJec-
tionable and aristocratic.
L. c. Hodgson favored two councils as
being essential 10 good government. Checks
upon the county officials would brlng ABOUT
the best results.
Frank Valesh did not believe this city to be
at disadvantage when compared with otter
cities. The cry of corruption is raised III all
large cities. The question of taxation should
be studied especially since valuable fran
chiseS are now given away which might be
made TO yield large revenue. For example,
the city of Toronto IS now receiving annu-
ally S25e 900 from its street railway company.
H. g. Martin said there was a confusion as
to which Of The two Sanborn charters is to
be made the law. The veto power that is
therein contained is obnoxious and always
works against the common people. Much OF
the distress would be relieved II no bonds
were issued by the cities, but that all money
be raised by direct taxation.
Representative Mattson spoke of the advis-
ability of holding frequent charter conven-
tons to decide all questions OF city govern
ment.
The following resolutions were adopted
after a thorough discussion as the consensus
of the views advanced:
Resolved, That ii is the sense of this lyce-
UNI that We are opposed to an amendment to
the City charter providing for two houses OF
the legislative body of the city.
Resolved, That we favor submission to
the people of the state CT a constitutional
amendment giving all municipalities of the
state of over 10, 00G inhabitants the power to
enact their own charter bya popular vote.
That we favor Il prohibition i'll The city
charter against granting Of any franchises
for periods OF time exceeding ten years, all
such rights to then revert 10 the city; ana
that such franchises when granted shall be
sold to the highest bidder; and that no fran
chiSe shall ever be transferred when they can
be more protitably operated by the public.
Resolved. That we favor il provision in the
charter forbiddng the municipality from
contracting any indebtedness whatever; and
that all expenses he met By direct taxation,
Resolved. That we favor such system Of
taxation as will not discriminate in favor of
vacant lands against improved lands in
the city.
Resolved, That we favor the Walsh bill for
q constitution amendment to permit munich
paliteS 10 exempt personal property and i'm
provements from taxes by Il majority vote OF
the citizens.
After deciding to discuss the eight
hour question at its next meeting the
lyceum adjourned.