St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-02-06
CHARTER MAKING.

Il OF Municipal Government Bill.
Il The members of the senate and of the
ho use committees OH municipal corpora
ifions held joint meeting last night in
1.-THE senate chamber. There was large
representation present.
III Senator Howard, of Minneapolis, was
1elected chairman of the joint committee
pn motion of SENATOR Sheehan.z
Z Senator Howard asked for the wish OF
the people as to whether anything more
than municipal charters should be dis
cussed by the joint body
At the suggestion of Representative
Cant, OF Duluth, it was agreed that
charter legislation alone be discussed
Chairman Howard stated that three
charter bills had been introduced in the
senate. He conceived that the chief
conflict would be between a charter in
which the chief responsibility should be
placed in the hands Of the mayor, as
opposed to one giving the council the
chief responsibility. Speaking of his
own DILL, Senator Howard said that it
had been drafted as the result of the
experience secured in the discussion
two years ago.and through conference
of the state. He believed that the bet
biiitY in the council.
Senator Sheeian, being requested to
do so, gave his reasons for introducing
the ''home rule" bill. He said that the
experience of two years ago, and the
discussion in conference OF attorneys in
5ariouS cities has prompted him 10 be-
lleve that the cities would not agree
upon charter. Hence he had prepared
a bill proposing an amendment to the
constitution SO as to allow the larger
cities to draft their own charters. He
believes that charter leg islation will be
a difficult problem. He feared that the
discussion that would follow would pre-
vent charter legislation, aud he believes
his bill the only solution of the prob
lem.
Capt. Van SAINT wanted to know why
$4,000 was made the limit for cities.
That, he said, would cut Winona out by
LOCO or SO.
Senator Stebbins also suggested that
smaller cities would be left out.
Senator Sneehau suggested that cities
of $4,000 or less might be included in the
list.
Representative jacobson wanted to
know if there was any hope of the two
large cities agreeing on any plan. Ii
not, he believed it folly to waste time in
discussing plans or bills. The people
from the country did not believe i'll
wasting the time of the legislature in
discussing bills while there is no plan
agreed upon by the two large cities.
Mr.. OZmun moved theselectlon of a
Joint subcommittee TO discuss the bills
and to try to agree upon a charter bill.
Senator Spencer moved to amend the
motion so as to appoint committee Of
five, one from each Of the five large
cities. this committee to agree upon a
measure TO be submitted to the general
committee.
70 Senator Howard opposed the motion.
saying that while the city OF Minneap-
oils can get along for the present with
out much charter legislation, yet there
is demand for charter remodeling by
all the cities. large and small. He
thought it inadyisaDle to delegate the
matter to q small committee, but that
the whole bill should be discussed and
settled. step by step by the whole COM
mittee, as it would save time. He be-
lieyed the subcommittee could not
agree. He believes that the small cities
are interested as much as the larger
ones in charter legislation.
Senator Fuller favored the discussion
by the whole committee and said his
city, although small one, is interested
as much as any city in the matter.
Senator Sheehan saw nothing to be
gained by discussing the matter in
ubcommittee.
Representative Shell said that he
wanted to be around when the discus
sion goes OH.
Senator StebbinS was in favor of the
two cities settling the question Of a
double charter, but believed the smaller
cities should have voice in settling
other questions.
The question for a subcommittee was
lost.
Chairman Howard suggested that the
committee take up the Sheehan bill
first, as it contemplated superseding
both the other bills.
Senator Sheehan said his bill would
not interfere with the other bills.
Whether another bill was passed or not
he felt that his bill should be passed
In case a satisfactory charter should
not be agreed upon his bill would be
advantageous.
Senator Stebbins spoke along the line
of the argument offered by Senator
Sheehan in support OF the constitutional
amendment.
Senator Collester said that he might
favor Senator Sheehan'S bill if amended,
but lie believed in proceeding with the
work OF agreeing upon general
charter.
On motion of Mr.. Shell the committee
proceeded to discuss the merits Of the
two senate files, namely, the Howard
and the Philips preparations.
The first forty sections of the Howard
rnI LOT fn mic ION, n n
responding provisions in the other bill,
and were read and discussed.
On motion Of Mr.. Shell the first sec
ton was amended SO as to make the
charter applicable to cities of 1000 or
over. Mr.. jacobson thought this num-
Der small enough. as smaller places
should not put on airs.
Other sections were approved down to
section Is, which was amended by
striking out the clause allowing an an
neXlun to any incorporated city OF new
territory by petition alone.
On motion Of Senator Fuller, Senators
Stebbins and Mr.. Jacobson were named
as a subcommittee to draft provision
covering the point of admitting addi-
tional territory TO an incorporated city.
Senator Fuller was added to the com.
mttee.
d Sections Sc, SO and 40 were passed
after being read by Clerk Alexander
Mcclure, of the senate committee, for
future discussion. The remaining mum.
Der of the forty sections of chapter l
were agreed upon.
Ii. W. Phillips, who drew the St.
Paul charter, suggested that there be
daily meetings of the committee, so as
to get through as soon as possible. In
case there be no possibility of passing
a charter, he wanted 10 propose another
bill covering specific features desired to
be covered in the st. Paul city govern
ment, and secure separate action by the
Legislature. He stated that All eXami-
nation of the two bills had convinced
him that they are similar in many
features. in fact, in nearly all of the
main features. He thought that they
could agree on most of the features. On
motion of Senator Collister the joint
committee adjourned, subject to the call
OF the chairman. Senator Howard an
nounced that he would call meeting
Tor O'Clock this evening.