Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1896-12-16
ONE BILL READY.
The Council Committee on Legislation
Reports Measure Creating
Water Commission

The Council Committee on Legislation
Reports 2 Measure Creating
Water Commission.
The driest and least interesting meet
ing of the common council held in
long time was that Of last even
ing. All members were present, but
there seemed to be no business on the
docket except the allowance of a num-
Der of accounts against the different
funds.
The committee on legislation, through
Chairman Stone, brought up the only
matter of any Importance. Mr.. Stone
reported that the committee was max
ing progress with its work and that one
measure to be introduced in the legis-
lature had been prepared. It relates
to the creation of commission of five
members to take charge Of the water
works plant and to operate the same.
AS now drafted the measure reads as
follows:
A BILL to amend chapter 326, of the laws of
1899, as amended by chapter BIZ, Of the laws
of 1898, entitled, IAN act dividing cities in
| to classes and providing for their incorpor-
alton and government"
The people Of the state of Wisconsin, represented in
senate and assembly, do enact as foll0lOs:
| Section /. Section 95 of the laws of 1882
is hereby amended by striking out the word
"shall' in the second line of said section, and
| inserting in lieu thereof the word may"
and adding at the end of said section, "or by
a water commission to consist of five mem
| bers, to be composed as follows: of three
| citizens. no more than two of whom shall be-
| long to the same political party, and the
mayor, who shall be ex-officiO member of the
! commission, and one alderman, to be appoint
| ed by the mayor and approved by the COM
| mon council so that said section 95, as
| amended, shall read as folows Section 90.
| In cities where the waterworks are owned by
! the city, the same may be operated under the
| direction of the board of public works, or by
a water commission to consist of five mem
| bers, to be composed as follows: of three
| citizens, no more than two of whom shall be-
! long to the same political party, and the
| mayor, who shall be eX-offcO member of the
| commission, and one alderman, to be appoint
ed by the mayor and approved by the COM
mon council"
! Section GOA. The mayor shall after the
adoption OF this section by any city organ
| lied under the general charter law, at the
| first regular meeting of the common council
after the adoption of this section, appoint
three citizens, whose term of Office shall ex
| pire, one on the first Tuesday of October
next following his appointment one on the
| first Tuesday of October, in the year follow
| ing his appointment and one on the first
! Tuesday of October in the second year fol
! lowing MS appointment, and thereafter at
the expiration of the term of each commits
soner one shall be appointed by the mayor
each year on the first Tuesday Of October,
whose term of office shall be three years, and
| until his successor is appointed and quail
! fed. All appointments shall be confirmed by
q majority OF the common council.
Section 2. This act shall take effect and be
| in force from and after its passage and pub
! lication.
Alderman Stone explained that
when the above law is enacted the
council of this and other cities may
| pass ordinances authorizing the ap-
pointment of the commission and pre-
scribing its duties. 1t is the intention
! that the members thereof shall serve
without compensation. Alderman
Stone stated that the committee pro.
poses to draft two other bills-one
changing the terms of Office of one
alderman from each ward from one to
two years, and another provi ding that
the old cemetery property near the
! Northwestern university shall come in
| to the possession of the city,