The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-12-04
LOOKING TO AN ED
CHARTER COMMISSION DETER
MINES TO GET THROUGH WORK
BY MARCH L.
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
on THE PRESENT BASIS FOUND
FAVOR WITH TIE COM
MISSION.
CHANGE AS TO CITY ENGINEER.
Proposed to Have Him Elected by
the Mayor and Presidents Of
Three boards.
HANGE AS TO CITY ENGINEER

chapter was practically final. Ten of
the sections were referred back to the
committee to be redrafted in accord
ance with definite instructions. At the
next meeting they will undoubtedly be
adopted.
The principal changes to be effected
will be the creation of a board of pub
lie works. comprising, as at present.
four members, to be appointed by the
mayor, but only one of whom, the presi-
dent. shall devote his whole time to
the work and receive a salary accord
fngly. The other three are to be call.
ed in when needed to make assess
ments, and they will receive nominal
salaries: $500 a year will probably be
the figure.
The other important amendment,
which was adopted by vote of to B.
changes the mode of election of the city
engineer Instead of the board of pub
lie works exercising that power, it is
to be delegated to the mayor, the presi-
dent of the board of public works, the
president of the water board and the.
president of the park board.
The absentees last night were Messrs.'
Butler Alness, McNair and LuSk. The
first matter to come before the commits
sion was the report Of the committee
appointed to ascertain how much more
time the commission had to complete
the charter. Judge Clark reported that
the commission was complete when Mr..
Alness was appointed to succeed c. N.
Bell. The subsequent resignation of
j. j. Parker did not, in the opinion
of the committee, cut any figure. The
committee was also of the opinion that
the law naming six months as the time
within which to complete the charter
was directory, and not mandatory.
1t was suggested by Mr.. Lightner
that the charter, as proposed, ought to
be completed and ready for the printer
by March l, in order to get it before
the people, so that they would be pre-
pared to vote upon it at the May cleo
ton.
Col Clough thought that, if the char
ter was completed by March 10, it
would be in good time.
Mr. Innis moved that it be the sense
of the commission that the charter be.
completed by March 1. The motion
prevailed
Before taking up the regular order of
business, Mr.. Murray offered ,resolu4
ton authorizing the chair TO appoint
committees of three to prepare the
Following chapters::- 10, II, 12,- f3, II,
Is, 10, II, IS, 20, % and "a. The resolu-
ton was adopted These chapters in
cluGe all the remaining portions of the
charter regulating municipal depart
ments excepting chapter 8, on the mu
ricipal court; chapter 10, on the "alms
house, chapter u, plat commission
ers,' and chapter %, justices of the
peace and constables," which chapters
will, in all probability, not be amended.
The regular order of business was
then proceeded with, which consisted in
the submission of the report of the
CO mmittee appointed to draft chapters
6 and relating to the board of public
works, and local improvements and
special assessments
Chapter 6, relating to the board of
public works, was the only one dis
cUssed the committee not having COM
pleted it's report on chapter 7. The
report as to chapter was accepted for
the purpose of discussion. The first
section was then read.
Section l, which authorizes the es-
tablishment of a board of public works,
was at once adopted.
Section 2 provides that the board
of public works shall consist of four
reputable freeholders to be appointed
by the mayor During the year 1892
the mayor shall appoint two members
in place of those whose terms shall ex-
pire then, and two members the year
following, and annually thereafter ap-
point two members whose term of office
shall be for two years.
Mr.. Dean moved to amend the re-
port of the committee by substituting
three members for four members Of the
board.
Mr. Fetter thought that the terms of
Office of the members of the board of
public works ought to begin in June,
Immediately after the mayor goes into
office, as the administration has to bear
the responsibility for the acts of the
board.
Col Clough was of the opin-
ion that the 1st of January
was the proper time to ap-
point the members of the board. Col.
Clough agreed with Mr. Dean that
three was a preferable number to four
on the board Of public works.
Mr.. Krieger believed that one man
would be sufficient if an expert in his
line. There was strong sentiment in
the city for abolishing the board of
public works. But if the additional
members of the board were to receive
only nominal salaries, that would
doubtless be satisfactory.
Mr.. Deans motion that the member
ship of the board be reduced to three.
was further discussed. Mr.. Dean
stated that, to be frank, he really
favored the charters of Chicago and
Baltimore, which placed the public
works department in the hands of one
man, either elected by the people or
appointed by the mayor. Mr. Dean
thought that much of the odium visit
ed on the board of public works ought
| to have rested upon the common coun-
ell.
Mr.. Murray said he would prefer to
see five members rather than three.
At this point Mr.. Dean withdrew his
motion for the time being, and Col.
Clough moved that the reports of the
committee to the effect that the board
| Of public works shall consist of a pres
ident, who shall give his whole time
| to the office and receive a salary ac-
ccrdingly, and number of assistants
| who shall receive nominal salaries and
| give such time as is necessary, be
| adopted. The report was adopted.
Mr.. Dean then moved that the num-
| Der of members be three, consisting of
| a president and two assistants. The
vote was taken and the motion was
| lost by a vote of six to five, as fol-
lows: Yeas-Dean, Fetter, Innis,
Krieger, Lightner-5. Nays-Clark,
Clough, Horn, Lindeke, Murray,
O'Brien-6.
Mr.. Murray's motion that the board
consist of four members, consisting of
a president and three assistants, was
| then voted upon. It prevailed by a
vote Of seven to four, as follows:
Yeas-Clark. Clough, Horn, Innis, Lin
deke, Murray, O'Brien-7 Nays
Dean, Fetter. Krieger, Lightner-4.
Mr. Murray moved that the president of the
board OF public works he 9nD0iDtpd he
mayor. The motion prevailed. On motion of
MI. Lightner, the commission decided that