The herald., 1894-12-06

Deen proposed. Inc once OF mayor
carries with it a great degree of distinc-
ton but to place the salasy at a small
sum would be to make il a rich mans
Office exclusively, and would debar
many worthy and honorable citizens
whose livlihood' must be canned by their
daily efforts, so the Office should have a
salary which should not estop the aspir.
ations Of this class and it has been
placed at $4,000 per ennum. 1t would
not be possible to find men of sufficient
ability and character to act as council
man for less money than is now paid. 60
the nalary of this Office has been left at
the old figure. The duties OF the city
clerk are euch as to require good deal
of labor. fair ability as an accountant
and the exercise OF good discriminative
judgment, and it is thought that S2400
per year is es small a eum as will
command the services OF such
man, 30 this salary has not been
ste ed. There are few, if any, book
keepers in this city who are receiving
more than 5000 per month and as it
must bs admitted that this is good
salary for this kind of work, the audi
tors pay has been placed at that figure.
The treasurer's salary has not been
changed, remaining at $2400, and the
salaries of engineer, chief Of police and
attorney have been lett at $4,000. The
superintendent OF buildings has been
reduced from $1,000 to $500 per snnum,
the belief being general that the Office
is not worth more, aud go with the
health officer, who 10 reduced from
s2400 to $1,000. The largest reduction
in salary is made in the Office OF street
superintendent, it being from $4,000 to
$4,000 per annum. The duties of this
office do not require any brilliant nor
remarkable qualities in its incumb bent,
being purely administrative. and any
man VINO has fsir knowledge of streets
and roadways and Possesses ordinarily
good judgment can fill it acceptably
and many such can be- found who will
take the Office for smaller sum, and
not only that, but this sum ia much
more than some street. uperintendents
that We have had in the past could pos
sibly have earned outside of office. Al
together, these reductions in salaries ef-
feet saving OF $2S00 per year, and in
the line of direct saving, to this must
be added the amount which the abo-
ltion of the Office of tax collector will
save, which will be $4,000. Here is a
total of nearly $23 900, and it is not oil.
for with the increased efficiency in all
Offices which must come from the
stringent rules which they make. taken
with the facilities for the detection and
correction OF minor extravsgances, will
increase this naturally and it is sure
that saving of at least $4,000 per
year will be effected.
One of the best propositions in these
amendments is that placing the city
election in the early spring. At present,
with our city election following close
upon others which of necessity are OF
strong partisan character, the voter is
greatly influenced by his political aitilis-
tione, when he should be at liberty to
csst his ballot with view only to the
benefit of the city. A lapse OF four
months will give time for partisan feel
ing to subside, and the eelection OF city
officials may then be made outside of
party associations, which will often work
for the welfare Of the city.
An excellent provision is also made
concerning contracts for certain city
work. Under these amendments sill
contracts for lighting, street sweeping.
carting garbage and kindred business
must be publicly advertised for at least
aix months before the expiration OF the
contract which the nsw bidder 10 to SUI
percede. This will permit OF new COM
petitors having C chance at this kind of
work, and destroy the monopolies which