The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-02-04
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
IA tFs ea
A Majority Of the Charter Commits
sion Decide to Create Such
a Body.
The Method Of Choosing the Mem
bers Is Not Unanimously
Favored.
The Labor Delegates Arc the Dissenting
voters-Salaries Fixed at $500
Per Yea

Discussion on the creatlOn OF a board OF
public works and affairs almost wholly oc-
cupied the time Of yesterdays session of
the Charter commission. All the members
were present except DR.. Cole and Alderman
Lissner. There seems to be a majority of
the commission in favor of having a board.
MI. W. A. Chessman is the only member
who would not endorse it il the question
was left to him. Aldermen Theme and
Gallagher are also not inclined to have such
a board, but the other nine members of the
commission favor. it, but have different
views as to how this board should be
chosen. The minority falls in line with the
majority as long as it seems evident that
they are determined to have this board. 1t
is, therefore, practically decided. as far as
the charter commission is concerned, that
a board Of public works and affairs shall
be created under the proposed new order of
things, and a majority voted in favor of
having this board created by election in the
city council. Another change effected, which
differs from the Nashville charter, is that
the board shall consist of three members,
two of whom shall be selected by b city
council from different wards, n must be
of different political faith; the mayor shall
be the third member, actively SO, ex-Oficio
chairman and shall exercise equal power.
The salaries of the members will be not to
exceed 81, 500 each per annum The two
elected members of the board shall not be
actively engaged in any other business, but
salary of 5000 previously provided for the
mayor will be stricken out.
The debate was long and elaborate before
this conclusion was reached. The members
from the Trades and Labor assembly did
not favor the proposition of electing this
l-~-1 -. 5000: AkN~v sold Hhn~ ch0r1l ho |
elected at large and intimated that if it
was otherwise determined that popular dis
approval would be 80 strong and unan-
imous as to endanger the adoption of the
entire work under way, when it came to be-
ing presented to the legislature. From the
other method than electing the board of
public works by popular vote.
Mayor Bradford took the position that
Helena is going to be a large city and that
the new charter is for the future govern
ment of the city, when the public require
ments will necessitate the placing of men
in charge of affairs who can devote their
whole time and attention to the work; such
as street paving, police regulations, opening
streets. sewer work, etc. -
Mr.. Floyd-Jones thought the people could
safely entrust the selection of & board of
public works to the aldermen. He said
that body would be composed of men
whom the people would hold responsible
for the action of the board; the people
would elect the council and would have
every confidence in their SELECTION He did not
think the commission ought to be too criti-
cal as to the manner of selecting this board.
He favored paying them good salaries and
by so doing good men could be had.
From his observation of the government
of cities, Mr.. Murphy said when the re-
sponsibilities were placed upon the fewest
men the best. results were obtained. The
Nashville charter has been in force seven
years and with the most satisfactory re-
suits. The only officer that ever resigned
was one mayor, who thought too much
work was required of him for the salary.
On the other hand he said there never was
a rottener government than in the city of
New York. Many of the former members
of that government are now serving terms
is antediluvian. If it is satisfactory he
favored leaving it alone; if not, let US try
something new. Af
In speaking about the appointment of
officials as against electinR them Mr.. Smith
said that the ablest judges Montana ever
and confirmed by the senate during Mon
tana's territorial existence. And it was the
same with the selection of circuit and SUI
preme court judges.
AS to the question of salary Mr.. Chess
man did not favor the idea of giving $4,000.
I1o CuOukAO tuoV wv AuOSAs ALL MuApAy
said the city would make money by it and
Mr.. Stedman was of the same opinion. 1t
was said that this board could regulate the
salaries of city officials. The emoluments
of the city marshal's ofic were taken as a
criterion and deemed excessive. Mayor
Bradford was informed by Ex-Marshal
Hard that during his (Hard's) administra-
ton the Office was worth $1,000,
per annum the principal revenue
coming from the board of pris-
oners. The mayor suggested that the salary
of that official might be placed at a mini
mum. Mr.. Gallagher said in Butte the
boarding of prisoners cost 81 cents a day.
In Helena it is S5 cents a day. He said the
feeding of prisoners should be let by con-
tract to the lowest bidder. MIR. Stedman
informed the commission that the boarding
of prisoners used to cost 81 per day but af-
ter a hard fight he. while in the council,
had it cut down to 81 cents.
The discussion was finally ended by a
vote. A motion to appoint three members
on the commission was lost on a tie vote.
also q motion to elect two members, the
mayor to be the third member and chair
man. 1t was after the lengthy discussion
that the latter proposition by Alderman
Theme was put again and carried. The
alderman from the Sixth. however, was net
fully decided whether Helena had reached u
population to warrant keeping up such a
body. te9
The commission adjourned until three
O'Clock to day.
DIR. Meyer, French opticlan. at Mer-