St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-01-30
DESIGNATED as a Committee
by the Municipal Reform
League
TO LOOK AFTER REFORM
Legislation for Cities--The
League Holds Long
Meeting.
POINTS OF SOME SUBJECTS.
The Salary Question Appar-
entity Still the Bug
aboo.
POINTS OF SOME SUBJECTS.

At the meeting of the municipal re-
form league at the commercial cluo
rooms last night it was decided to nave
committee of forty appointed, ten
from the league, ten from the chamber
of commerce, ten from the 1obbers'
union and ten from the commercial
club, to formulate and push legislation
in the interest of municipal reform.
The resolution was offered by Fer
dinand WiliuS, and was adopted as Of
fered with the exception that Senator
Stevens was taken off as chairman aud
the committee empowered to select its
own chairman. The resolution pro-
Vides for fine OF 50 cents every time a
member of the committee misses
meeting.
The meeting was presided over by
Chairman Hackett, and several noted
retOrmers We're present, besides several
keen seekers after information, like
Ambrose Tighe and G. n. Bell. y
goodlY group. OF ordinary taxpayers sat
and listened to the plentiful display of
language, and Comptroller McCardY
was so far hypnotized by the mellif-
luouSness Of the casual conversations
on reform that he failed even to blush
when it was proposed to raise his salary
to $1,000 year.
A committee reported in favor of
abOlishing the frontage tax on water
consumers. This report was amended,
g the effect that the tax shall only be
abolished after it has been levied long
enough to pay for laying the water
mains. 1t was adopted.
Herman Phillips reported that con-
solidatiOn of city and county govern
mentS is desirable and feasible, but that
elections should be held every TWO
years as at present. The league went
Oh record in favor of consolidation.
The assessors Office Will be let alone
for the present, as it will be taken care
of with extreme soIicitnde in the new
charter that is now building.
R4E. d lviI M):gIl r1oJrJa in aYor
of adopting the civil service reform
doctrine in state, city and county.
This recommended ton was adopted,
handily.
A1S1 NUN L IllIIlp lHoI CAOli-
NATION had convinced himself and a
committee that salaries and expenses of
the city government could be reduced
sufficiently to make a saving of S15O,000
year. Heap big talk, that aroused
even Mr.. Iighe from leisurely enjoy
ment Of a Perfecto, followed this re-
port, but the eventual outcome was the
continuance Of the committee.
George Benz favored reduction III the
5umber OF clerks and employees, and a
cut in Their salaries. He would raise
the salaries of men like Pierce Butler
and j. j. McCardy. TO an objection
raised on behalf of the clerks and minor
offices, Mr.. Benz said the heads of tine
various Offices were under heavy res
spOnsibilty and had to give bonds.
a resolution was reported in~favor OF
raising McCardy's salary to $1,000 a
year. g. w. Horn objected strenuously
to suggestion that the city treasurer
salary should also be $1,000. which it is
at present. The resolution was referred
to the committee.
The proposed organization of the po-
lice forces of the state Oh civil service
basis was brought up by Secretary In
mis-. Cold water was thrown on the
suggestion by several gentlemen, but