St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-01-06
CHARTER CHANGES

Recommended by the Cham Der of
Commerce-New Annual Mem
bers.
The chamber of commerce yesterday
considered series of resolutions advo-
eating some radical changes in the cit Y
charter. The resolutions which, after
an animated debate, were adopted, are
as follows:
L. Resolved That our legislative commit
tee be requested to prepare at the earliest
time practicable, a bill for an act to revise,
consolidate and amend the charter of the
city of st. Paul and all acts amendatory
thereof or relating thereto or to any boards
connected with the administration of the af-
fairs of said city; that said committee enter
Immediately upon their duties and If posi-
bic give their time and attention to said duty
in preference to all other public duties
q Resolved, That the charter be SO
amended that the fixed expenses be reduced
mum and the current expenses by like
amount, and said amounts be applied to the
liquidation of the present floating debt of
the city and school boards
s 3. Resolved, That the power Of the city
comptroller to pledge the faith and credit of
the city granted by the act of Feb. ], 1889.
amending section % of the act of March /,
1887, for the payment of principal and in
ler6SJ OIL UIle amount Oh allowed
any contractor for work done or material
furnished under his contract, whenever the
money is not in the treasury to pay said esti-
mate, be abrogated and said provision re-
pealed. (By Mr.. Lightner-And that the final
authorization for the expenditure of money
be vested in one BODY of the city. Accepted
by Gen. Sanborn.
4. Resolved, That the charter be so
amended that no account or claims shall
hereafter be allowed or paid out of the city
frca0 flnnpr xIc0f hon
of the chairman of board or head of a de-
partment, approved by the mayor. and that
no warrant or draft shall be issued by the
comptroller in payment of any account or
claim unless there is cash in the treasury to
the credit of the fund against which the same
is drawn, and the treasurer be prohibited
from paying any such warrants out of any
other fund. (By Mr. Lightner-Uniess pre-
viously authorized by the city council by q
5. Resolved, That the charter of the city
of ST. Paul be SO amended that all necessary
powers now vested in boards shall be vested
in the mayor, and be exercised by him by and
through heads of departments and that all
boards and corporations exercising the au-
thorlty of boards or municipal authority be
abolished.
6. Resolved That the salaries and COM
pensation of each officer, agent and employe
of the city be limited ard fixed in a single
section of the charter so that 1t can be seen
and read at all times.
z. Resolved, That the legislative powers
vested in the city be exercised cy and through
a house of delegates, elected from districts or
wards and a council composed OF seven or
nine members elected at large, and that the
mayor be authorized to appoint the members
of the council for the time between the date
of the new charter and the next city election.
8. Resolved, That until such changes are
made IL the charter as shall absolutely Sc
cure the application of all cash in or going
into the treasury to the purpose for which it
was raised, it is inexpedient to author
1ze the issue of any certificates of indebted
ness or bonds to meet the floating indebted
ness either of the board of school commits
sioners or of the city.
8. Resolved, That the charter be SO
amended that all supplies and property for
all branches of the city government, includ-
ing those required by the school board. be
purchased and provided by and through a
purchasing committee, consisting of the
mayor and president OF the council and city
treasurer. and that the same be purchased by
advertising for proposals to furnish the
same; and,
10. Purchasing the same from the lowest
bidder, and that said supplies be issued to the
various boards or departments upon proper
requisition made therefor.
MeSSrs. Dorr, G. b. Gilbert, Greenleaf
Clark and t. Cochran vigorously OPP
posed the fifth resolution, but it was
ultimately adopted by vote of 10 ayes,
to noes.
Director Suydam sent in his resigna-
ton. The following annual members
Joined the chamber during December:
Archer & Howe, Henry Weber. Burns &
Shaw, Ambrose Tighe, C. E. Lawton. E. F.
Behnke, f. W. Horton. T. NJ Sven. j. Aus
TRAN, M. B. Curry,W. H. Conver, A. W. Krech.
Knuppe & Hartsinck, c. R. Smith, Il. X. Tay
lor, Brown, Treacy & Co, Thomas DAVIS,
Joseph S. Bartels j. II. Sleeper, W. c. Hay,
Northern Pacific Express company. J. W.
Owens, Adams Express company. j. @. Haas,
r. B. G. Bement. W, j. e. Kenyon, Finch
JeweIry company, F. S. Bryant P. B. Groat,
F. G. 1ngersoll, Al j. Rodgers, r. Il. O'Con-
nor. Ed Scott. c. W. Bum.