The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-11-13

district was referred to the committee
having Chapter 4 of the present char
ter in hand. The committee was in
structed to have the section continued
in force. AS to the sections eXempting
certain territory from assessment and
taxation for Indebtedness prior to its
being taken into the city, the amend
ments offered by Mr. Clark were re-
ferred to the committee having Chap
ter 5 of the present charter. and they
will be added to the charter as report
ed by the committee.
Chapter 1, as reported by the COM
mittee was adopted as a whole by
unanimous vote.
Mr.. Lightner chairman of the COM
mittee to revise and redraft chapters
8 and of the present charter, reported
that the committee had only been able
to finish one chapter, number 3, in
Guiding twenty-four sections. The
twenty-four sections, as prepared by
the committee were then taken up
and read section by section. In dis
cussing the section in relation to the
term of the city clerk, it was decided
to make the term two instead OF four
years. 1t was explained that the term
of the present clerk extended to June.
1899 The question came up as to
whether the term Of the present in
cumbent could be cut off one year.
The idea was to have the city clerk IS
term end with the council which elect
ed him
1t was finally agreed to allow under
the new charter, the present 1ncum-
bent to serve out his term. At the ex-
piration, or in June, 1899, the council
is to elect a successor for one year
and thereafter the term of the clerk
shall be two years.
The sections relating to the law de-
partment of the city and the duties
of the corporation attorney and his as
sistants were resubmitted to the COM
mittee to redraft.
Mr.. Butler suggested that the section
relating to the city attorney and his
duties should provide that all cases
in the municipal court be prosecuted
by the corporation attorney or his as
sistants Mr.. Clough thought all cases
brought under the city ordinances
should be prosecuted by the corpora
ton attorney and none other. The
county attorney was elected to prose-
cute the cases brought under the state
laws. Mr.. Lightner suggested that the
provision of the present law, under
which the corporation attorneys office
prosecuted cases was found in the
municipal court act. The commission
had decided that this act was outside
the province of the commission and it
would probably be best not to go into
the matter. Judge Clark said that
while he was not familiar With the
duties of the Office, he was of the opln-
ion that the legal department was top
heavy. 1t might be that there could
be some reduction in the force. Mr..
Lightner said the force was none to
large for the duties which devolved
upon it.
Mr.. Murray inclined to the opinion
that the force might be reduced
one and a better salary paid the other
assistants.
Mr. Butler wanted the section to pro-
vide that the assistant corporation at
tOrney in the police court prosecute all
misdemeanors. One man was certain
ly needed in the police court all the
time. Judge Clark moved that the law
department should consist of one cor
poration attorney and two assistants.
Mr.. Lusk said the commission did not
want to hear themselves vote and In
the light of what had been said he
should have to vote against any re-
duction in the force The motion was
withdrawn by Mr. Clark, who stated
that it would perhaps be we'll to in
vestigate the matter before taking any
action.
Mr.. Fetter moved that the corpor-
alton attorney in the new charter be
elected by the people. Mr.. Krieger
seconded the motion. Mr.. Murray
moved as an amendment that the cor
poration attorney be appointed by the
mayor. Mr. McNair seconded the
amendment. On the roll call the vote
was nine to four, those favOring the
appointment by the mayor being
Messrs. Allness, Butler, Clark, Clough,
Innis, Lindeke, Lusk, McNair, Muir
ray. Those opposing, Messrs. Fetter,
Horn, Krieger and Lightner.
MI Murray then moved that the
committee in revising the sections
take notice of the action of the COM
mission on the point and also have the
appointment made on the first Tues
day in June, of the odd numbered
years. The roll call showed only five
of the members in favor of this prop
osition while eight opposed it. Those
favoring the appointment in the odd
numbered years were Messrs. Clark,
CIough, Lindeke, McNair and Murray.
Those opposing: Messrs. A1lness, But
Ter, Fetter, Horn, Innis, Krieger,
Lightner and Lusk.
On motion of Mr.. Butler the COM
mtttee was instructed to make the APP
pOintment by the mayor on the first
Tuesday in June in the even numbered
years. This Mr.. Butler said was so
as not to interfere with the time Of the
present incumbent. The sections re-
lating to the designation by the coun-
Gil of public printer and official paper
was referred back to the committee TO
report at the next meeting. The sense
of the commission was that the pub
fisher of the daily paper offering to do
the work at the lowest rate, should be
given the work and the publication
designated as the official paper.
The section relating to the bonds to
be given by city officers was sent back
provide for the giving of either surety
or personal bonds leaving the council
to decide in each case which would be
preferable.