St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-02-22
.MUNIClpAL GOVERN MENTs.
Political Science Exposition by
the Charter Commission.

~ N L
Political Science Exposition by
the Charter Commission.
There was perhaps trifie to much
partisan sentiment manifested Oh the
discussion that was had by the joint
meeting of the house and senate COM
mittees Oh municipal corporations last
night, at which the charter commission
submitted to the committee for decis-
ion the questions upon which they are
unable to agree. There were present
three of the senate and eight of the
house committee. Chairman TaWney,
of the senate committee, presided.
Representative Howard explained
that the meeting was called at the sug-
gestion of the commission for the pur-
pose OF talking over some of the lmpOr-
tant questions that have arisen. EX-
City Attorney Russell acted as spokeS
man of the commission. He said there
are number of points upon which they
these is the time OF holding
city elections. ''When the mat
ter was first considered" said
Mr.. Russell, tile commission
decided that it should not be held in the
spring because the fiscal year should
begin jan l, and it could not with
spring elections. A few days ago 1t was
decided that it was desirable to divorce
the municipal elections from national
ami state elections. and for that reason
agreed that the time ought to be i'll the
fall of odd-numbered years. This after
noon, however, the matter again came
up, and the commission, after careful
consideration, decided i'll favor OF the
cause of the expense. The last election
in St. Paul cost $25. 600. and it is all OBJ
jact to save that. Another objection to
the odd numbered years Is thai 1t would
involve the extension or curtaIllnent or
the terms OF office of the men already
elected. We have the Australian ballot
system now, and under that man is
compelled to ScrutniZe his ballot, thus.
to great extent, removing the 0bJec-
ton thai the municipal election and
officers would be lost sight OF in qQeS-
tons of state and national Importance"
Senator SanbOrn said the result OF his
experience was that it is desirable to
divorce municipal elections from all
others. He thought the principle of
separate elections was correct, but was
not sure but that difficulties might
arise in making out the details. The
other gray head of the co mmittee coln-
cided with the views expressed by MI.
SanDorn, and said he would not favor
change IN the time without consulting
the ST. Cloud people.
Mr.. Gale, the Saltwater represent
alive OH the commission, said his city
had been holding the combined cleo
tons and formed the plan very salts
factory. 1t resulted in leSSening eX-
pense and made local agitations less
frequent.
Just HOW 1t W. rks.
NJ. Howard said that i the Eighth
ward in Minneapolis the aldermanic
question overShadoWed state and ma
tional questions. Mr.. Fletcher Said the
Eighth ward was not specimen ward.
There was hot aldermanic fight in the
Fifth. lie SAID. but 1t did not overshadow
the larger issues of the national cam
paign. Other members discussed i'll
desultory way the probable effect the
system would have for or against the
dominant political parties.
Mr.. German said there was a feeling
in st. Cloud that the large cities are
fixing the charter to suit themselves
and that it was about time for the
smaller cities to make kick.
Senator Sanborn moved, to test the
sense of the committee, that elections
the general elections. On the roll call
the motion was carried. The vote stood
ayes to noes, the members from the
country generally voting no.
Senator TaWney was not willing to be
reconciled to the theory of combining
state and municipal elections. He
doubted if it would work to advantage
to his city-Winona.
City Attorney Russells poke with
qualification of the wonderful unanimity
of the temper of the commission save
upon the question of bonded indebted
ness limitation. Fergus Falls. it was
explained, wants to buy the water
works plant through the sale of bonds.
and it would exceed the 10 per cent
limit, and it was stated that our city has
heen reported at % per cent indebted
ness already. The Fergus Falls tax as
sessment is 70 mills. This expose as
founded the representatives OF the
larger cities.
MIR. Russell stated that the commits
| sion asked for an expression of prefer
| ence concerning city boards. Only two
| cities now have boards of public WORKS.
| He suggested that the commission be-
| lieves that clause can be inserted that
/ special acts may remain in force and
effect. The provision for the board of
seven members to be elected at large.
| +. Z. Stevens explained the successful
operation of public boards. The mem
| beers are composed of the best
and soundest business men of the
| city, and they serve without COM
| pensation. Mr.. Russell explained that
| the city council can be given power to
| provide for the various boards by ordi-
nance, and DIR. Simpson, of Minneapo-
lis, pronounced enphatcally in favor of
| administering affairs by the city coun-
Gil, and not by boards. The work, i'll
other words, as is the case in Minneap-
oils at present, should be delegated to
council committees. The park, educa-
tional and library boards are elected by
the people.
Hon. Hitler Horton combatted this
| theory. He explained that some years
| ago the board OF education in st. Paul
was elective, and members were elected
who were totally unfit for the duties
same being scarcely able to read and
/ write. He made telling argument in
/ favor of ST. Paul'S system. 1t removes
! the administration entirely from polit-
| ical bias, and it has proven economic.
| Until some other cities are shown 10
conduct its affairs cheaper than st. Paul
he would remain firm III his faith of
non-partisan public boards.
| minneapolis is run On a more eco
nomie plan" Interrupted Mr.. Simpson.
Il cannot believe that, SIR" retorted
| Mr.. Horton firmly. Minneapolis has
bonded Indebtedness of S3.000.000 more
than st. Paul."
.'Oh. no; that is not so.' exclaimed
| Mr.. Simpson.
"Oh, yes. it is; you people in Mime
apolis have a way of hiding your liabil-
| ities. You have peculiar system of
bookkeeping and you don't really know
what you owe. Under our system of
| boards nothing can be hidden. But