The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-01-31
THE CHARTER COMPILERS
The Commission has Completed and
Temporarily Adopted Four
Chapters.
Elective Oflcers Will Remain the
Same 40 In the Old
Charter.
mont aud NJ Array Of Figures
from Mr.. Lissnor.

The discussion which was brought to an
end Thursday evening on the elections
chapter of the old charter by Mr.. Sted-
mans motion TO adjourn WAS continued ct
yesterday afternoons session of the Charter
commission, but the debate was not 80 ami
mated. The discussion led to the pre-
sumption that it il by no means certain
that the new charter will provide for a
board of public works, though If this sys-
tenn Of government shall be decided upon,
the method adopted in Nashville-of the
city council appointing the board-will in
all probability be adopted.
Article w., as passed upon by the COM
mission, provides for the election at largo
of the mayor, city oonncilmen, police mag
istrate, and treasurer, who shall act rs as
SCISSOR and collector. While the appoint
ing of the marshal and other city officers
has not been provided for, that authority
will be vested in the board of public works.
when the chapter covering their duties is
reached.
Articles III. and ". of the old charter,
both of which prescribe the election, quail
fcation and duties of the mayor, have been
incorporated in one chapter. All the pro-
visions in the present charter have been
adopted with two slight exceptions, and a
section from the Nashville charter describ-
ing more in detail the functions of the may
or has been added. So thus far the work
of the commission has resulted in the prep
aration of four articles, viz: Article l., of
incorporation and boundaries; article ii,
creating the corporate body, to consist of 4
mayor, board of aldermen and board of
public works and affairs; article ILL.,, the
executive office, duties and powers of the
mayor; article ~, of elections.
Now the council is struggling with article
", of powers of the oity council" n it
is probably the most important article in
the entire charter, and particularly section
one, which provides for the levy, collection
and disposition of taxes and the drawing of
warrants. Upon the preparation of this
section will depend the future financial
policy of the city government; and to bring
about a new system, granting the council
ton, was one of the chief causes for having
the charter changed. Alderman Lissner,
who has been chairman of the council COM
mittee on taxes and licenses for several
years, has at his fingers ends every item
of expenditure and revenue in the
has long held the %sobriquet watch dog of
the treasury" and is probably better posted
on the subject of city finances than any
man in Helena. He argued very forcibly
yesterday before the commission in advo-
eating an increase in the amount of the
IVA levy lIOIu elkAU W VEL lullibs LIZ db-
sured the commission hat this was not for
the purpose of making as large a levy as
that, but in case of an emergency the coun-
Gil should have that power. Mr.. Lissner,
while not as voluble, nor commanding as
fluent a use of the English language as
at times difficult to make himself plain; but
in the absence of language to clothe his
sentiments and arguments he produces
cold figures. He did not insist
that the commission should endorse
his suggestions and recommendations in
benefit of his experience and felt that he
knew what he was talking about. Being e.
heavy taxpayer himself, he took the deep
est interest In the welfare of the commu-
nifty. Notwithstanding that the present
limit of tax levy allowed by the charter is
a levy of seven mills, which was adopted.
He also informed the commission that only
twice since the city was incorporated-once
under Sullivan and once under Fuller-was
the eight mill levy made; and he had con-
fdence enough in the men who would be
people who elect them-to expect that they
would levy for the best interests of the CITY.
He said that this year the assessor returned
twenty millions OF taxable property which
at seven mills gave a revenue of $4,000.
In recommending the increased levy he
figured that next year the city
assessment would not exceed $15, 100000 in
view of the exhorbitant rating practiced by
the assessors this year; and the people, he
said, will not stand to have their property
rated at its full value any more. He also
held that this high rate has knocked prop
srty values fully 20 per cent. Now, figur-
ing on fifteen millions, with say an eight
null levy, would realize only $120, 600, and
Mt ten mills but $780, 600. As the city
grows, he said, its needs increases and con-
%sequently the expenses; I'M for a few years
at least it will be necessary to take meas
ures to wipe out the floating indebtedness,
SO that laborers could be paid full value for
their hire and merchants receive market
price for their goods, and abolish the sys-
TEN of issuing warrants, which are now dis
counted 10 and Is per cent. on the dollar.
Mr.. Lissner said the present charter
was very good when it was adopt
ed by the people; then the city
had a population of 5000 or 5000
and the taxable wealth was five millions;
then the people never dreamed of having q to
pay fixed annual charges a%ggregating S72,-
600, which is divided into expenses for
water, light, interest on bonds, library fund
and interest on warrants. These charges
will continue for some time-sevsral of
them for all time, and rs the city grows
they will increase. To best illustrate his
argument Mr.. Lissner gave the following
figures, showing the annual expense OF
carrying on the city government as follows,
and particularly for the past year:
rop,puux,rxnr