The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-12-09
LET PEOPLE DECIDE
TINE OF MINNEAPOLIS ELECTIONS
MAY BE LEFT TO THE
BALLOT.
QUESTION OF FRANCHISES UP.
COMMISSION HAS A VIGOROUS DIS
CUSSION OF THE CHAP
TER.
WORK OF NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
Great Interest Among Delegates
Hee Keepers Elect Officers and
AtJ0urn.

The chapter on local improvements
and assessments was the subject un-
der consideration by the charter COM
mission last night, and for three hours
the members of that body struggled
with the various provisions. The chap
ter as submitted by the committee 10
the commission is similar to that exist
ing in the present city charter, with
the exception of a few important
changes.
There were present when the COM
mission convened: Commissioners At
water, Steele, Downs, PiIlsbury, Jones,
Gjertsen, Davenport. Hornlund, Childs,
Haynes, Winston, Hawley. AS spe-
cIal order of business the chapter on
local Improvements and assessments
was taken up.
The only discussion in which any of
the commissioners took a decided stand
came with the consideration of sec
ton one. AS presented it provided that
the city may acquire by purchase,
condemnation or otherwise, either
within or without the limits of said
city, any franchise, real or personal
property, or any right, estate, interest
or assessment therein, or any other
property whatever, which may be re
CURED for any of the purposes of the
city or any board or department there
OF; but this chapter shall not be con-
sirued as in any way limiting or inter
fering with the powers of the park
board to acquire property for it's pur-
poses, as provided in this charter"
The provision making an exception
of the park board caused considerable
strife. Commissioner Atwater thought
there should be a uniform method of
condemnation, and that the power to
condemn should be in the hands of the
city council. He did not know why if
an exception was made of the park
board, the same should not be done
with the o.her boards of the city.
Commissioner Giertsen agreed with
Commiss o e. AtWa er, and moved that
all reference to the park board be
stricken out of the section. Commits
siOners HaWley and Jones objected
strongly. The former believed that if
the power to condemn was taken from
the park board its usefulness would
have ceased.
That's right" answered Commissioner At
water, the beard should be alb Jlished and
a city department established in its place,
which department should have the care OF
the parks"
Commissioner Gjertsen's motion was put
and lost. This did not stop discussion, how
ever, and after Commissioner Atwater had
explained his position at great length, Gem
missioner Davenport moved for reconsider
alton, which motion prevailed. The question
presented again and adopted. Commits
sioners Haynes, Gjertsen, Winston, Atw2ter,
HeInlund Davenport and Steel voting for
ba m la wi
Childs and Downs against it. This disposed
OF Commissioner Hawley's motion to also ex>
cept the board Of education.
That portion OF the chapter providing for
the manner of notifying interested parties
when property is to be condemned did not
coincide with the views of Commissioners
Childs who introduced an amendment pro-
viding that when property is to be condemned
notices shall be personally served upon all
the occupants of such property and a written
notice mailed to the owner Of the property.
This motion, which was adopted, will remedy
an evil existing in the present charter, which
provides for the publication in the ofiic al
paper of the city, notices of such proceeding 8.
Another change, introduced upon motion
by Commissioner Davenport, provides tina.
any person whose property is proposed to be
taken or interfered with may finally a-peai
to the supreme court OF the state. Hereto,
fore appeal has been allowed only to the
district court of the county.
But ten sections of the charter were con-
sdered last night. There are in all twenty
eight and the balance VIII be considered at
tonights meeting.
Prior to adjournment Commissioner Win
ston gave notice that he would, before the
completion of the charter, move to insert in
the charter an alterna i've chapter with refer
ence to- the time of holding municipal cleo
tions, whether they shall be held in the
spring or fall
4 want to give the people chance to say
when they desire the elections should be
held" Said Commissioner Winston. ITS a
very important question and one | think the
people themselves should be allowed to set
tie.