The Saint Paul globe., 1897-10-26

and very many different subjects were con-
sidered The commissioners were in MOOD
to hurry things along, and there was lack
of long discussions. 1t was a running meet
ing and motions resolutions and recommen-
dations were brought up. considered ana acted
upon almost as quickly as it takes to tell 1t. .
In the absence of reports from any OF the
standing committees, Commissioner PillsSury,
taking for his text recommendation from a
meeting of Eleventh ward citizens, addressed
the commission upon the necessity of further
provision for the public schools. The maxi
mum tax levy for school purposes was now
but four mills, and he did not think that tnat
was enough to pay the running expenses OF
the schools and also provide for the erecuon
of additional buildings as they were needed;
The city, he said, in very short time would
be called upon to build more school houses,
in some districts at the present time the chill
dren being able to attend school for only
half day. He suggested that the maximum
tax levy be increased one-half three-quar-
ters of mill the additional amount TO De
expended in the erection of schools.
Commissioner Haynes quite agreed with Mr.
Pillsbury. 1t was question, ne said, which
ought to be met He had heard that the
bond limit had been fully reached, as had
also the maximum levy and yet there were
not funds enough to provide the necessary
school houses.
After a further discussion of the matter
by others of the commission, Commissioner
Davenport moved that the maximum tax levy
for school purposes be raised to hVe mills,
the additional mill to be used for the erec-
seconded by Commissioner Stoft.
Commissioner Pillsbury thought that it
would be a good idea to postpone acton until
the members Of the commission had inquired
further into the matter, and finally, upon
motion of Commissioner Childs, the orig nal
motion laid the table for one week.
Commissioner Pilsbury supplement- this mo-
ton with one requesting the board or educa-
tion to have a representative or representa-
tives at the meeting at which the subject
should be discussed.
in
by introducing resolution to the effect that
the number of park commissioners be reduced
to five. This did not meet with general ap-
proval and was declared lost.
Commissioner Gjertsen's resolution that
1.-THE city of Minneapolis shall have the power
and authority to acquire real and personal
property for the purpose of erecting, con-
structing, operating and maintaining city
water works, city lighting plant plants,
including gas and electric lights. street rail-
ways aud equipment, city transportation ser
vice, telephone lines and service and a pub c
cow ention or exposition hal, was then
taken UP for consideration. Com missioner
Childs moved its adoption, which was second
ed by Commissioner Atwater. The resolution
was finally adopted.
Commi sioner Haynes secured the adoption
of motion giving it the sense of the COM
mission that the council should be empowe! ed
to construct bicycle paths next to the curbs
of the streets. There was some doubt abou
the authority Of the council to do this at the
present time, said Commissioner Haynes and
this doubt he wanted to remove in the new
charter.
A reso ution, presented by Commissioner
Childs, requiring the city attorney to keep
! complete record Of all opinions given by
|. was interested city attorney and provid-
ing that these records so kept should be
turned over to his successor was adopted
after a brief discussion.
Commissioner Cohen then moved that the
term OF office of the city attorney should be
four years. Mr.. Cohen thought that there
were sey eral reasons why the city attorney
should have reasonably long term The
city was entitled to be represented by one
OF the best attorneys at the bar, but ordi-
naIily one of hese would not give up his
practice for two-year term in the city s
Office In doing 50 an attorney lost his
entire business, which would have to be
built up again after his term of Office had
expired. Commissioner Gjertsen thought
that the same argument could be applied
to the office Of county attorney. AS a gen.
eral thing, a county or, city attorney, if
he had made good record was again nom
mated and indorsed by the people. eff you
get poor man in said Mr.. Gjertsen, "and
you have four-year term, you can't get
rid of him until the four years have ex-
| pired, but If he is a good man with two
year term, you cen re-elect him. Commits
sioner Pillsbury thought that reelection was
10 favor the four-year term. The provision
fer the four-year term clause was finally
adopted
The commission then took up some sug-
gestions which had been adopted at meet
| ing of Fourth ward citizens. TIE first of
| these recommended the election by the peo-
pie cf a vice mayor, who should preside over
the council, having the power ard
drawing the same salary as an alderman
The second was that members of all boards
be appointed by the mayor The third pro-
vided that the salaries Of aid ermen b. placed
at $1,000. The recommendations were taken
up in the order. given and discussed. The
first, providing for a vice ma Or was re-
iected, with The defeat of Commissioner
Davenports motion along the lines of the
suggestion. In regard to the second, it was
declared to be the sense of the commission
that action already AIKEN in the matter
should not be changed and action on the
third was postponed up'il the commission
undertook to fix the salaries of city officials
not already named.
Prior to a mo:ion to adjourn, Com
missioner Davenport sugges ed that at
the next meeting of the commission it take
up chapter of the proposed ordinance. and
see if the work couldn't be pushed a Ii tie.
This is the fourteenth meeting we have
! held" said Mr.. Davenport, in conclusion,
"and we have not yet accomplished any
| thing
! The meeting then adjourned.