The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-10-30

secretary. The first subdivision related
to the giving of bonds by the city Off
Gals Mr.. Lusk suggested that it
would be advisable to have surety
bonds given by city officials. Mr.. Par
ker favored the city treasurer and
other officials giving surety bonds, and
that the city pay the premium for the
bond. Mr.. Lightner thought the cost
of bond such as required in the case
of the treasurer, would be very eXpen-
sive, and at that there might be trouble
in getting surety companies to bond
the treasurer Mr. Lusk said there
were surety companies that would bond
the city treasurer, and the premium
would be about $1,000 per year. This,
he thought, would be goOd invest
ment for the city
Mr.. Lightner said it might occur
that treasurer would be selected who
could not procure a surety bond, and
if the charter so provided and MADE
no provision for a personal bond, the
treasurer would be prevented from as
Stunning the office to which he had been
elected. The reading of the sections of
the charter were discontinued and the
matter of the terms Of the elective
officers taken up. Mr.. Lusk moved
that the term of the mayor be made
four years and that he be Ineligible
for reelection at the next succeeding
term.
Mr.. McNair and Mr. Clark both sec
onded the motion. This, Mr.. Lusk said,
was good plan. 1t took man about
a year to get the hang Of the office and
familiariZe himself with his duties. 1t
was argued that if poor man was
elected it would be too long. In an
swer to this Mr.. Lusk said if the term
was for four years and the salary
So, 900 per year the people would see to
it that only good men were chosen. AS
it was now, the mayor spent one year
in getting acquainted with the duties
of the office, and the next one in pre-
pairing himself for reelection.
Mr. Krieger opposed the long term
and argued that dishonest man
would use the office to benefit himself,
knowing that he would not have an
other chance. The people, he thought,
favored a short term for the reason
that they could, if the man proved not
the right one, turn him out.
Mr.. McNair favored the four-year
term claiming it would be for the best
interests of the city.
Mr.. Lightner said he did not care
what had been done in other cities.
The motion of Judge Lusk touched on.
the length of the term of the mayor
and the eligibility of the mayor. They
should not be considered together. The
people, he thought, would not agree TO
the extension of the term to four years.
The city of ST. Paul was governed by
the council, mayor and boards and it
was owing to combination of these
three plans of government the city had
been well governed. 1t would be bad
policy to change the term of mayor.
The greatest power the mayor had was
over the police force. For this reason
the people should be allowed to change
the mayor at least every two years, If
considered necessary. AS he felt, he
should be obliged to vote against the
motion of Mr.. Lusk. In reply, Mr.
Lusk said he did not make the motion
to have it passed at once, but he de-
sired to have the matter discussed by
the commission.
Mr.. Parker suggested the COM
mission give out In advance
what was to be discussed at the next
meeting. This was agreed to by the
members, and at the next meeting the
commission will continue the discus
sion of the question of extending the
term of the mayor to four years. ana
also the members of the council. Com
munications in writing are invited
from all citizens on the subjects to be
considered.