St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-02-26


instanced the workings of the law in
the postal department, and went at
some length into detail The main
point, he said, is that the incentive
to remove for political reasons is re-
moved, because appointments cannot
be made for purposes of political re-
ward. He warmly indorsed the Ozmun
bill, and sincerely hoped it would he
enacted into law.
Ferdinand Willius reported that the
bill is now on general orders, with u
recommendation that it be Indefinitely
postponed. He went on to say that
he considered civil service reform the
corner stone of every effort to secure
Improvement in municipal affairs. He
advised all present to join the Civil
Service Reform association and assist
in arranging for a mass meeting TO be
held at an early date. which will be
addressed by prominent civil service
reformers from various parts of the
country.
E. j. Hodgson thought that public
feeling is right at this time for a
successful movement to better exist
ing conditions.
Mr.. Kibbe offered a resolution in
dorsing the civil service reform. cor
rupt practices and pure primaries
bills. 1t also instructs the executive
committee to use the influence of the
organization to pass the bills named.
M. r. Prendergast asked for infor-
nation as to the provisions of the
bills to be Endorsed. He did not want
to go ahead in the dark; but he was
given little Or no light
Mark D. Flower spoke for the reso-
luton as expressing the true senti-
ment of the intelligent citizens of the
Seventh ward. He went incidentally
into a review of past political fights in
the ward, but said he had never en-
gagged in disreputable tactics, such as
importing voters. He also called at
tention to the fact that while there
had been factions, when man was
nominated, he had been loyalty sup
ported
The Kibbe resolution was then
adopted unanimously, and the presi-
dent announced that the matter of re-
ducing taxa ton would be considered
James King called for Comptroller
McCardy, who came forward and said
that some wild and eXtravagant state
ments had been made as to possible
reductions in city expenses. The claim
cannot be made good, he said, that
the expense can be reduced from a
quarter to half million dollars, I'M
less appropriations for the police and
fire departments are cut down one
half. There is $S00,0O0 to be paid in
principal and interest during 1895, and
will no in
round numbers left of the estimate
of money to be raised by taxation for
the coming year.
Mr.. McCardy made the statement that
$50 900
COULD BE SAVED
to the city every year on the item of
lighting, if electricity were used en-
the lighting now costs close to $4,000
a year
Crawford Livingston thought Mr.
McCardys statement would mislead
some people not we'll posted on the
matter. He said that the gas COM
pany had never received 100000 in any
one year, under its contract; and
further stated that, all things con-
sidered, st. Paul has a cheap contract.
Asked as to the proposed abolition of
the water frontage tax, the comp
troller said it is not an operating ex-
pense of the city, and he does not favor
its abolition until each lot has paid
fair proportion of the cost of mains,
probably when the tax had been paid
for five years. If the tax is abolished,
of course the water rates would be in
creased if extensions are made.
Mr. Livingston explained the diff
ference between the moonlight and all
night systems; then asked Mr.. Nc
Cardy to explain how he would save
$4,000 a year on lighting.
The comptroller came gayly to the
front and stated that by an invest
ment of $500, 600 he could put in an cleo
tric plant that could be run for 100000
a year, interest on investment and OPP
Grating expenses, that would provide
eighteen times as much light as at
present
Mr.. Livingston replied that the comp
troller's scheme is weak and falla-
ciouS.
Clerk of Courts Rogers, asked for an
opinion as to how reductions can be
made said he desired the meeting to
go on talking about gas and civil ser
vice reform. He refused to express
an opinion on the salary reduction
bills, as he had not examined them.
Aid Markham said the expense of
lighting by gas could only be reduced
by securing legislation that will enable
the city lighting to be put on COM
petitive basis. Under the law now the
council cannot award a contract for a
longer term than one year, and as
there is only one company working
here competition is impossible. Touch
ing the matter of salaries, he said they
are fixed by statute in nearly every
instance and the council cannot
change them.
Mr.. King thought the city could we'll
afford to pay man to inspect gas
lamps and electric lights. 1t is a no
torious fact, he said, that st. Paul is
the worst lighted city in the world to-
day.
Capt. Castle said the Stevens bills
are aimed to. fix maximum salaries
and allow the common council to make
salaries as much lower as they may
see fit; and also gives power to reduce
i the number OF CLERKS. tie moved Lnat
the Stevens bills be Endorsed only so
far as they concern city officers.
Mr.. Markham expressed himself as
opposed to changing county offices
from the fee to the salary system. The
/ fees may be reduced, but it would not
| be equitable to require non-litigants to
pay the cost of handling litigation.
Judge Macdonald was opposed to the
! Castle motion, and would have sal
| aries fixed by the legislature. To
leave it to the city council would result
| in endless procrastination, and a reduc-
! ton would never be made.
The Castle motion was then adopted
and the league adjourned to meet Mon
day evening at the same place.
aTn UNNnGFNNT