St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-01-21
RAMSEY DELEGATES IDEAS.
Their Bills to Cut Salaries
and Offices Meet Public
Approval.
A BUSY WEEK EXPECTED.
The Legislature Is Now Ready
for Active Law
Tinkering,

MS week gives promise OF being q
busy one in the legislature, aside from
the voting on the senatorship, which
begins at noon tomorrow. The senate
will meet at 2 o'clock this afternoon,
but the house will not meet until tomor-
row morning. A number of important
bills have been introduced i'll the SEN
ate. and many more are expected to be
presented within the next few days.
One of the biggest matters now pend
ing, and one that will require at least a
months discussion and consideration, is
the N unicipa charter bill introduced by
Senator Howard, of Hennepiu county.
This measure is of interest not only to
the large cities, but to all the smaller
cities in the state There is
division of sentiment upon the measure
introduced, even among the, Minneapu-
lis delegation. 1t dou btless will be
changed in some particulars, and it is
evident that similar bills will also be
presented. Ii is hardly expected that
one charter will be adopted for the
large cities; on the contrary, it is prob
able that two OF three charters will be
sired by the several cities will be left
optional.
The Ramsey county delegation, like
their brethren from the county up the
river, are divided in their views on
form Of charter, and will have a diff
cult time in agreeing upon bill to be
offered.
MOTT Of
Importance that are likely to come up
for consideration in the senate this
week. They are bills which have been
referred to committees, and reports are
expected at an early day.
There is vast number of business
men in this city who want to cling TO
the main provisions of the Bell charter,
and who say thar, with the adoption of
a few amendments that may be en-
braced in separate bills, of general
character, St. Paul rs
Can Get Along
quite we'll for a few years more. One OF
the measures of relief asked is to
authorize the city to provide for def
cencies in any fund that may be caused
time to pay salaries of the several de-
partments. such as the firemen, the POI
lice and the school teachers. 1t is be-
lieved that a bill may be passed that
will require the proper officers to levy q
tax sufficient to cover deficiencies at the
end OF the year, instead of issuing cer- |
titicates Of Indebtedness to cover the
failure to collect balance of the taxes.
Such course might make the tax a little
higher for one or two years, but when
the delinquent taxes should be collected
they could be turned into general
fund and lessen the tax rate for sue
ceeding years.
One of the chief objects Of contention
and complaint Is the board of public
works. The bill. introduced by Senator
Stevens last week, relative to the
abolition of that board and placing the
power in the common council and under
the control of director, is believed to
be just
what the City Needs
in that direction. The bill is now in
the hands of the committee on municipal
corporations. and its early consideration
by the senate is expected. 1t provides
for the appointment of a director of
public works, for term of three years,
by the mayor. This would take the
matter out of politics. as the director
would be appointed at times other than
in the heat OF a campaign for the cleo
ton of mayor, and would dispense
with the powers now conferred on the
board of public works.
Two other bills, introduced by Sena.
tor Stevens, are in the hands Of the
same committee and are likely to be
toIy fnr in
the senate. One of these gives the COM
mon council authority to reduce salaries,
and the other gives the same body power
to dispense with offices. They are both
of vast Importance locally. and are de-
manded by public sentiment. The
passage of the three bills alluded band
one or two others that are likely to be
| presented, will give st. Paul about as
much legislation as is demanded by the
citizens and taxpayers without whole
| sale charter c0bblng. One bill cuts Off
| the
Obnoxious Board
| of public works. Another permits the
| reduction of salaries OF all city officials
except the mayor, the comptroller and
| the officials of the park board and board
of school commissioners. 1he two lat
| ter boards are already under the control
| features attached.
The third bill empowers the council
to abolish, by a majority vote, any office
except those of mayor, comptroller,
treasurer, city clerk, city attorney and
the members and officers of the park
board and board of education. The
passage of these bills places great power
i'm the common council, but it is a powergt
that business men think would not be
abused. It would doubtless result in 4
the election of more conservative and
able business men to the common coun-
Gil.
One OF the early matters TO be acted
upon probably will be the joint resOiu-
ton offered by Senator Day, (which asks !
the senators and representatives in con
greSS to
Oppose tfae Passage
of the Patterson pooling bill. The7|
committee on railroads had unani :, |
|. mously recommended the passage of the 4
Joint resolution. Senator Day claims
that the passage of the bill would allow
railroads TO pool rates and interfere
with the rights OF shippers and travel,
ers. 1t is designed to repeal the part of
| the interstate commerce law that pro-
| hlbits pooling by competing railroads
and thus legallZe trusts.
Other bills in the hands of committees
| relate to the collection of back taxes
| from railroads, to tax railroad lands and
regulate rates Of express companies
! These will bring out debate, and will
take I'D much time in both bodies. This
week will see the era of debates in
augurated in both branches. There Is
| a wish among members to get the sem
| atorship out of the way so that the legis.
~ II,o