St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-08-03
LEWIS MEASURE KILLED.
Johnson Voted With the DEM
ocrats Against Interfering
With the Mayor.
POLICE NOT CONFIRMED.
StPouse Made a Good Fight
for the Mayors Appoint
ments--Failed by a Tie.

last night, with all members present,
excepting President Copeland.
a communication from Acting Mayor
Brady. notifying the assembly of the
appointments of j. II. LOOMS and John
Howley, was referred to the committee
on police.
The Waterous Engine Works com.
pany sent communication asking for
the use of lots 1, 2, 8. 4 and 5, block /,
Bazille & Roberts addition, and block
3. MarshalPs addition, for locating
thereon its new manufacturing build
ings. Referred to committee on streets.
A report from the corporation attor-
ney was received stating that rebates
due the city on Cancelled policies on
school buildings had been partially col
lected. Referred to committee on ways
aud means.
The report of the board of public
works for paving Fourth street with
asphalt, from jackson to Broadway. came
up, with final order for the work.
Permission was granted the board to
withdraw the original final order to
pave the street with granite. The final
order was passed. and the city railway
company ordered to pave its right of
way and two feet of the street on each
side of the tracks.
a final order was also asked for the
paving of Seventh street with asphalt,
from Brook street to Seven Corners, and
was referred to the committee on streets.
A resolution from the board of public
works fixing the salaries of the street
commissioners was adopted. The head
commissioner will receive $1,000 per
year; the assistants will be paid at the
rate of 1909 per annum.
The report of the committee on
streets, resembling all work N regard to
the opening of State street. was adopted.
Lewis gambling resolution. as re-
turned by the committee ON police with
recommendation that it pass, called
out some discussion. Mr.. johnson said
he was opposed to the passage of the
resolution for many reasons. 1t seemed
to him that it was out of place for one
portion of the city government to inter-
fere with coordinate branch. If he
was mayor and the city council under
took to pass such resolution
he would inform 1t to mind
its own business and he would
attend to his. He had not yet consti-
tuted himself as smelling committee
to find out if any gambling houses
existed. The resolution itself stated
that there are plenty of laws in exist
ence, and if the mayor failed to do his
duty he must answer to the master-the
people. He would certainly vote against
the resolution. Mr.. Strouse hoped that
for the sake of the fair name of st. Paul
the resolution would not pass.
Mr.. Lewis stated that he had chiefly
aimed at the nickel-in-the-slotm machines
and other devices in general. He was
not prepared to say much in favor OF
the resolution. If the members decided
to vote against it, he would be satisfied.
MIR. Reardon admitted that no good
could be accomplished by the passage
of the resolution. He wanted special
committee appointed to investigate the
matter of gambling houses in the city.
MIR. Parker stated that the assembly
should support the report of the COM
mlttee on police, which was composed of
able men, and therefore he would vote
for the passage of the resolution. The
resolution was lost by tie vote-ayes,
Arosin, Parker, Reardon. Lewis; nays.
johnson. Robb, Strouse. Van Slyke.
The Iesolusion of Mr.. Strouse, to con-
firm the police appointments of Mayor
Smith, came back from the committee
on police with recommendation that
it do not pass. Mr.. Strouse presented a
lengthy minority report, the chief points
of which were as follows:
1.-THE laws expressly constitute the
mayor the chief executive aud head Of
the police force, with power to make
SUCH regulations as shall be necessary
for its government. They also vest him
with the power to make all necessary
appointments on the force. 1t is the
plain intent that the mayor shall be in
trusted with actual administration of
the police forces. The respo visibility of
the mayor as to the NOR ale of the
police department is plainly fixed,
and any officer who may be
appointed by the mayor NAV
also be removed by him VIII enever the
welfare of the city demands such re-
moval. The majority of the men whose
cases are before the committee have
been removed for tile good of the serv-
ice, following precedent established
by ex. Mayor Wright. No objection has
ever been raised against such a course
OF procedure by any member of the city
council until now. To establish any
other rule at this time would be to in
trodUce politics into the police admins
tratiOn. The police force is in
sense a semi military organi-
cation. Discipline is the first req
uisite to its efficiency. If every
step in the administration of the force
were to be questioned, and to be taken
only i'll the teeth Of hostile assembly,
then there Is an end to discipline and
public responsibility. In no event will
interference tend TO the beiterment of
the police force of the city, but tend
toward INSTRUMENTATION and neglect of
duty among men who should be under
absolute control of their superior Off
GERS. The only proper and businesslike
course for this assembly to pursue is to
pass the resolution offered by me July
- confirming the appointments of
Mayor Smith,"
Mr.. Van Slyke moved the adoption of
the minority report.
| Mr.. johnson stated that he could not
see what this assembly had to vote ON.
| Ii the mayor desired to have his ap-
poiDtees confirmed, he should send in
list of them for action by the assembly,
and he would gladly vote for their con-
| frmation.
The motion to pass the minority re-
port was lost on tie vote. those voting
against it being: Messrs. Arosin. john
son, ReardUn and Lewis; those voting
for it being Messrs. Parker. Robb,
Strouse and Van Slyke. The majority
report was also lost on reverse vote,
after which Mr.. johnson moved the
adoption of Mr.. Strouse's resolution tor
the purpose of "killing It," A tie vote
settled its fate. the vote being strict
party division.