The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-02-13
IT Is DEATH ON FEES
The New Code Makes Sweeping Changes
Regarding Public Offices.
SALARIES CUT TO PIECES
Good Men Must Work for Little or
Nothing and Board Themselves
When This Plan Becomes
The Law.

Bt-rrr. Feb. 12--Just before the lcgiSla-
ture met Mayor Dugan appointed COM
mittee on municipal legislation, the
duties of the committee to be to see what
LEGISLATION is needed for cities AMI To en-
deavor to have such legislation passed
in Helena. The committee included AL
dermen Pascoe, Bowman and Walsh.
The committee has not met and, SO Tar
as known, nothing has been done. Inc
code has been passed and unless changes
are made IT will stand as the law. Inc
session is nov more than hall over ana
every day that passes lessons the chances
of amendments to the co ie being passed.
The code as 1t stands will be the law un-
less amendments are made, AMI 1t makes
very vital changes respecting munlcipal
affairs. In the first place, II the code re-
mains as passed, the salary OF the mayor
will he reduced from 5000 to SoJO per
year in Butte. The number of candidates
for mayor already heard from VIII un-
doubtedly bc greatly reduced If the salary
Is cut down IN this way. The salaries OF
the aldermen are reduced by the code
from $50 per year TO 500 per year.
One OF ,he most important changes of
the code makes Buue's officials elective
annually instead of bienuially. The
mayor, police judge, city attorney and
city treasurer are all to be elected every
year instead OF every two years.
Another violent change makes the city
marshal elected by the people instead OF
appointed 10y the mayor. Inc wisdom OF
this change may be questioned. A IN ar
shall appointed by the mayor and the coun-
ell can ne removed II not competent. nut
when elected by the people ho Is there TO
stay and will consider that he ~ entlrely
Independent of the mayor aud council.
10 NNr hf 81 ~ Intr-
shal TO be elected each year instead OF
every two years.
There is a big reduction in tho salaries
of the officials under the new law. Tho
reductions in the salaries OF the mayor
and aldermen have already been men,
toned. The salary of the police judge Is
not allowed to exceed $500 per year in
full for all services. tie Is allowed nc
fees. The salary of the city treasurer Il
not allowed To exceed 5000 in full for a.
services, and he is allowed no fees or per
ccntages. This is big reduction. Tue
salary of the city attorney must not eX
coed 5000, aud TINS Is to be IN full Tor al
services. There are no fees. This Will bt
a decided reduction in the value OF the
Office Of city nj orney.
The salary of the city clerk Is reduce
from 1880 to 81 100 with no fees. In fac
the code is death on fees. The abolish
ment of the fee system of paying OLLIE
will probably be generally approved, bu
il may be doubted If the salaries OF the oil
ficials have been placed large enough Il
insure the services of good men in a city
OF the size of Butte.
The code provides for no assistant cit!
clerk. such rs Butte has at present.
Another important change, which u
likely 10 meet with general approval, pro
vIdes that those voting n municipal cleo
tons must be qualified electors of th'
stale and must also have been resident
of Butte six months and of the ward the
wish to vote in b davs. Tho old law r,
qulres only three months residence IN th
city aud ~ days in the ward.
The police judge is given lurisdicuo
over minor criminal oiicnses and toy th
code petit larceny IS made "A city oiTensc
The changes involved in the code 4,
specting municipal AFT airs are consider.
BILE and the matter should receive carcf!
attention before il is too late. By the cod
the police commission is abolished an
the selection Of policemen Is left to q
council. While the present police cor
mission is not in all respects satisfaction
il is believed that with n ittle addition
legislation IL could he made of value, al
things are certainly not likely 10 be il
proved by putting the power over tho p
iicemen back in tho hands of the aide