The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-02-18
KICKS, GREAT BIG KICKS
Of1CialS In Butte Express Their Opin-
ions Of The Code.
TOO MANY SMALL SALARIES
At a Meeting Yesterday 1t Was
Pointed out That the Proposed
Law In Many Cases Was
Very Defective.

BUTTE, Feb. Representative Booth
SWEET and Paschal, Aldermen Bowman
| and Pascoe, Mayor Dugan, City Attorney
Cotter, eX-Alderman Campbell, Judge
Naughten and others gathered ia the city
| clerks office tins afternoon to consider
what municipal legislation is desira BILE to
be enacted by the legislature. Tho pass
age of the code had set some of tho city
officials at sea as regards the salaries.
Mr.. Booth stated at the start that all
acts as TO municipal legislation passed in
the last legislature will stand, and will
have the effect of amendments to the
code. The code does not rescind these
acts. and the acts of tho last legislature
hold, whatever the code may say. The
code commission did not repeal any laws
relating to cities passed since 1891. If no
amendments are introduced, the code
with late legislation will provide practic-
ally for the municipal provisions we have
at present. The real business before the
conference was to sec what additional
legislation is needed.
Mr.. Booth said that the present legis-
laturc is of an economical turn of mind.
IL is down on an increase OF salaries and
throughout is strongly favorable TO a re-
duction of expenses. He believed, how
ever, that municipal legislation needed
by city like Butte would meet with gen
eral favor.
The conference then proceeded to ex-
press its views and Mr.. Booth took notes
and Will have the result of the delibera-
tlons embodied in an amendment TO be
presented to the legislature.
The mayors salary was first considered
and 1t was concluded to leave that at
5000, subject to the approval of the coun-
Gil, the latter having the power to fix SAID
Ia
The code would make the mayors salary
S60J. In cities of tho second class the
salary of the mayor will DO placed at
$500 and of the third class at 500.
Under the code the salary of the police
magistrate is placed at $1,000. Ii was de-
cded to make II 5000 in tue amendment.
This is in full for all services. No fees
are allowed.
The salary of the city treasurer will be
liked at not TO exceed $1,000. with no fees
or percentages whatever. The code
places the salary at $1,000. Heretofore
the fees and percentages have been the
principal part of the city treasurer's in
come.
Tho salary of the city attorney was
fixed at $500 with no fees. The code
placed II at 5000. Heretofore the city at
torney has received fee for every paid
case, but this will now go into the treas
ury of the city.
The name of the city marshal will be
changed to chief of police. His salary, it
was decided, should not exceed 500 per
month in full for all services. The $50 he
has received from the county each month
is shut off.
The powers of the mayor and the city
council we're thought to be well defined
under the code and no change was rec
commended. IL is provided that they must
be freeholders in the city of Butte.
The matter of tho police commission
was considered. but no definite conclusion
was arrived at. Mr. Booth said there
would certainly be big opposition To the
provision for a police commission and he
would suggest that the police commits
sioners' provision be placed in separ-
rate bill, as il would not do to jeopardize
the bill fixing the salaries.
- The salary of the city clerk was fixed at
not to exceed $l,s0O, and provision is
made for the council to elect such other
officers as may be needed, such as assist
ant city clerk, etc.
The provision requiring the city attor-
ney to prosecute all state cases in the POI
lice court will probably be changed.
All the representatives except Booth
went back To Helena on the $3.50 train.
Mr.. Booth remained over and held con-
ference with the justices in regard to leg
islation desired for the justice courts.
Some of the Justices will probably go over
to Helena early in the week, aud Mayor
Dugan expects to make a trip over ;here
some day this week.
Mr. Booth is of tho opinion that tho
bill will certainly pass the
house. llo SAYS there are enough votes to
carry il without the vote of any member
from Silver Bow county. Nothing can
prevent the bill from passing.