The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-02-01
ALDERMAN LIssNER's VIEWS.
What He Has to Say About the Work {
the Charter Commission.

What He Has to Say About the Work Of
the Charter Commission.
After the charter commission adjourned
a reporter sought out Alderman Lissner and
found him at his International hotel. Being
told that an expression of his views on the
work of the charter commission and his
reasons for withdrawing were desired, he
cheerfully unbosomed himself substantially
as follows: GAS / said up there" he began,
II know what l am talking about. In the
first place this whole business ia a mistake
and is not being carried out according to
the plan I would suggest. We do not need
an entirely new charter, for several reasons.
In the first place the legislature will sit only
about thirty days longer; and it begins to
look as though the commission viii exhaust
all that time in making up a new charter.
At least to get a new one that would be &C
ceptable to all should take that much time.
If they finish a few days before the le9isla-
ture adjourns, it is very doubtful If the
lawmakers would railroad it through both
houses, just to please Helena.
"All we need is a few amendments to our
old charter. When we want new one let us
go to work in advance of the converting of
the Legislatures; take plenty of time and
have it in good shape for presentation to
that body. Now we have plenty of time to
prepare the few amendments that are
needed and could get the legislature to pass
amount of urgent work that the legislature
is already burdened with. it will take all
their time to pass upon it, SO that the
wheels of government will be put in motion
again; and l don't think it's good policy to
thrust a great long charter upon them at
this time. Let us wait awhile. We have
plenty of time and can obtain better re-
suits by waiting.
Nov; here is what we want. We must
have our charter amended to give the coun.
Gil power to increass the tax levy, il we find
it necessary. Then we a a law passed
regulating this matter of street improve
ment 30 that the expense will be borne by
the abuttine property benefited; next we
want the condemning and appraising of
property for city purposes fixed in a differ
ent way than it is now. Under the present
system 1t is too expensive for the city; then
we var a law empowering the council to
issue additional bonds, from that now
allowed by law, but OF couise, i'll all cases,
the bond proposition to be first submitted
to a vote of the free holders and tax pay
ers before action is taken. IL strikes me
that this is all we need at present and all
we should ask of the present legislature.
The commission is undertaking too big a
contract for the time at its disposal.
My plan is to employ three able lawyers,
familiar with such work. Say, for instance,
Mr.. II. b. Smith, Mr.. A. @. Botkin and Mr..
j.. b. Clayberg. The counsel could recon-
men to them what is wanted Let them
investigate The charters of different cities
and draft bills that will cover the several
points to the best advantage. and submit
them to the legislature as amendments to
our present charter. The people would, of
course. learn through the papers the text of
the amendments. This would be a simple
plan. u it strikes me as very much moro
feasible for obtaining the legislation that
we actually need.
"Now about this board Of public works.
that il all very we'll for cities of 100, 200
people or over, where they have bridges,
public water works, schools under the
direction OF the city government, extensive
sewerage systems. cemetery, wharves and
docks, fifteen or twenty miles of paved
streets. fine public roads, an army of city
soavengers, three or our fire departments,
and all these things. But in u small CITY
like this we have no need Of such n body.
We have good committees in the
council to look after our pub
lie affairs, and the men do it
without pay. The board of public works.
or three men, would run the city to suit
themselves; they would receive big salaries
and would employ a street commissioner
superintendent of sewers, and have under
them Just as many officials as Wo now have.
They would only be- engaged at the outside,
five months in the year, but their salaries
" Iuld go on just the same. They would be
an extra expense of ut least $1,000 ench year
and no better results would DO oh.
tanned. They would practically run