The daily morning journal and courier., 1895-04-04
THE CITY CHARTER AGAIN.
ANOTHER IMPORTANT HEARING
 YESTERDAY.

Ex-Mayor Sargent, Henry c. White, James
 D. DeweIl and Franklin II. Hart and MT.
 Matthewman Heard on the Subject-Mr
 Hart's Speech-Other Matters of Interest
 Hartford, April S,-The hearing con- corning the proposed new charters for the city of New Haven was continued
 this afternoon before the committee on cities and boroughs. At the meeting yesterday Hon. J. B. Sargent, Henry 2. White and James D. Dewell were heard in favor of the proposed charter recom- mended by the charter commission.
 This afternoon the proposed charter recommended by the committee of thir- ty was considered. The examination was conducted by Corporation Counsel Ely.
 The first witness was Lawyer A. Me Mathewson. He said:
 This charter was drafted by com mittee of citizens to eliminats. some of the objectionable features i'll the char ter proposed by the legislative commis- sion. We have presented to-day a charter which we think would govern New Haven admirably, We have pro vided that the Fourteenth and Fifteenth wards shall remain intact instead of consolidated. We have provided for the same officers, adding that of city sheriff. We propose the election of the commissioners instead of their appoint ment. This is preferable to am election by the aldermen. We would get better commissioners, and factions would be more careful in the selection. If the
 people nominated one poor man it would reflect upon the whole ticket.
 I've provide for two alredmen and three councilmen from each ward, as all ready provided. In regard to the pow CTS of the mayor We have stricken out in regard to the control over the police and fire departments, leaving the sup pression of violence and the calling out of the militia the same as at present. The provision regarding the calling out of policemen for certain purposes for violation of ordinances gives the mayor good power to break up any such viola iion of laws, even if other departments are lax in their duties.
 w G nave CildIl6GO lllG ullIG5 OL lllG corporation counsel and cut down his compensation The duties of the audi tor are the same as now. The treasurer should have an office in the city hall, The salary shall cover all expenses; in the other bill there is $1, 800 allowed for his expenses. The sealer of weights and measures is to be elected for five years by the court of common council, to receive no compensation save his fees.
 We have added a city sheriff, not provided in the other bill. We have changed the salary of the mayor from $4,O0O to $3,000; the treasurer from $1,- 800 to $250O, and the salary of the col Hector $400O instead of sS,0OO. The col lector pays over the money he collects each day to the treasurer. We have raised the salary of the assistant city clerk to $1,0OO instead of $500
 'The board of finance consists of the mayor and two citizens. In the police I and fire we change the number of conn 1 missioners from 4 to Gas constituted at present. No commissioner of the board 1 of public works shall be engaged in the | manufacture or sale of liquors. The 1 board of commissioners is the respon- sible board, while in the commission bill 1 the superintendent is responsible. There l is an examining board composed of the | mayor and the chief of fire and police | Gas it may bel to examine candidates | after al medical examination of the can didate. These boards recommend ap- | pointments.
 Appointments to the police shall be l 1Nu to,, o,,a none shah be appointed without this l sanction from the chief. The chief shall | assign the men and suspend men. He I is given much added power to the re- vision recommended by the commis- sion. Charges against any officer may l be preferred by the superintendent, and | the commission decides There is also to be a police matron. There is provided a superintendent of electric construc- tton for all the departments. The fire marshal's duties are about the same as at present.
 'The board of public works Is materi- ally changed. There are six commits sioners, who are responsible for the,I care of the streets, substantially as un- der the present charter. Provision is made for election of superintendent of streets by the commission.
 'The clerk of the board is to be the clerk of the board of compensation, as their duties are much the same The board of compensation is about the same as proposed under the charter re-s vision. The members are to be elected by the common council, as at present. The department of health is about the same as in the charter revision: also the public library commission. The council is to provide for the care of the public lamps"
 Ely-How many met in this revision committee?
 "There were about thirty and this draft was agreed upon unanimously. { They were bitterly opposed to the char ter offered by the revision committee. By MT, .Alling'-The members were all of one party. This has not been heard :, by the common council and this is the { first time the revision has been put be- i fore the public. was heard before the revision committee and most of our committee also. Alling-What is your idea concerning ! the mayor? He is to govern under the charter. He appoints some of the commissioners. rof+ +Lo l I