The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-01-22
STREET RAILWAYS BARRED.
AUTHORIZE OR PERMIT THEIR
CONSTRUCTION.
BOARD INCREASED IN NUMBER.
Provisions Made for Five Comm,s-
siOners, Who Shall Serve for
Five Years.

Lindeke and AlnesS were the absentees.
Few important amendments were
made to the existing sections, with the
exception of sections one and two, pro-
viding for the number of park commits
s;oners and their term of office. I'm
der the existing charter the park board
consists Of four members, and the term
of office Of each is two years. The sec
tons were amended by providing that
the board shall consist of five mem
berS and the term of office of each shall
be five years.
But the most important action was
that taken on a proposed amendment
embodied in a new section known as
section Is. The new section proposed
provided that the common council
should not authorize any person or
corporation to construct Or operate any
form of street railway or other means
of transportation through any public
park of the city, except with the con-
sent of the board of park commission
ers; and upon such conditions as such
board may prescribe. Nor shall any
franchise or permission for the con-
struction or operation of any form of
street railway or other means OF trans
rortation through any public park OF
the city be granted for longer period
than ten Q0) years.
The commission voted the proposed
section down by striking out all that
follows after the words through any
public park of the city" thereby eff
fecting an absolute prohibition of the
right to authorize any street railway
company to run it's cars through any
public park in he city of st. Paul.
Park Commissioner Wheeiock, the
president of the park board, was pres
ent by invitation to participate in the
general discussion, and give the COM
mission the benefit of his views on
matters peculiarly within his knowl-
edge and experience.
There was some discussion at the
outset over the adoption of sections 1
and 2. AS presented by Col. w. p.
CIough, the chairman of the commit
tee appointed to draft chapter u, sec
ton 2, prescribed different regulations
concerning the mayors appointment
of the park commissioners than were
finally adopted. 1t also provided for
two-year terms. 1t was originally pro
posed that three members of the
board should be appointed on the first
Monday in March in each even num-
first Monday of March of each odd
year.
On motion of Col. Clough the term
of office of the commissioners was eX-
tended to five years, and on motion
of Mr. Lightner, the section was still
further amended so as to provide that
one member shall be appointed on the
first Monday of March in each year,
all vacancies in the board to be filled
l, fN1~ fllt.
unexpired term or terms OF such re-
firing commissioners.
Section 2, as thus amended, was then
recommitted to the committee to be
redrafted accordingly.
Section 5, requiring each person ap-
pointed a member Of the board to HE
his oath Of office, and empowering the
board to appoint such agents and en-
ployes as it shall deem necessary, was
amended by also authorizing the ap-
pointment of a superintendent of
parks, whose compensation, as we'll as
that of the other employees, shall be
fixed by the board, subject to the re
vision"-not the approval" as in the
present charter-of the common coun-
ell. The section was adopted as
amended.
Section 4. which makes the city clerk eX-
ofIicio secretary Of the park board, was silent
IN
ing the secretary, superintendent of parks and
the president Of the board to submit annual
reports some time during the month OF jan
uary.
Sections 5. 6, and were adopted as read.
They effect no changes in the matters covered
which are of routine nature.
Section 9, which corresponds to section H. OF
the existing charter, two additional sections oil
il having been incorporated in sections and
6. was amended by providing that not only
shall no park commissioner be Interested IN
any contract made by the park poard nor IN
any land to be appropriated but also extend
ing this prohibition to the superintendent OF
parks, or other employe of the board. 1t was
adopted.
extends the power of the board by giving the
board power to grant leases of park privileges,
to provide public entertainments, etc.
Section u is a new one. 1t gives the su-
peTintendent Of parks charge and supervision
not only of the parks and parkways and OF hte
enforcement of all orders and regulations OF
the board, but also Of park policemen and all
other emDloyeS. The section was adopted
Section 13. giving the board power to acquire
lands for parks and parkways by gift, devise
purchase or condemnation was adopted.
Section Ia. as read. provoked some discus
sion, as it is Is new one. 1t reads as fol-
lows:
Sec IA. The common council shall have
power to set apart any street or avenue, OF
any section thereof. as a parkway, and tc
place the same under the supervision of the
board Of park commissioners for the purpose
of improvement and ornamentation, subject
to the easement Of the public. and Of the
rights of the owners of abutting property
but not releasing such abutting property from
it's liability for special assessments levied in
pursuance of law. or of this chapter to pay
for local improvements.
President Wheelock, of the park board ex-
planned to the commission the purpose Of the
section. The matter came up at the las
meeting of the park board when resolution
was adopted requesting the common council
to declare the Summit avenue boulevard
parkway.
Mr.. Wheelock said that the park board
wanted the, Summit avenue boulevard de
clared a parkway in order that the park board
might take charge Of the boulevard, put it IL
proper and slightly condition, plant trees ant
preserve those already planted that are no
to be obliged to do all the work required
as would be the case If the owners Of the
abutting property were released from paying
assessments for local improvements ordered
by the common council. The board coul(
not lay sidewalks, put down curbing OF
surface the roadway. 1t was willing to d.
what 1t could. but did not want to be com.
PEELED to make all the improvements.
Judge Lusk thought that the section ough
to distinctly specify that the owners of the
abutting property should be liable only fol
assessments for local improvements ordered
by the common council. Mr.. Butler agreed
with Judge Lusk. After some further dis
cussion the section was recommitted to the
committee.
street cars through the parks, quoted at the
beginning. which called forth such a vigorous
opposition. After Col. Clough had finished
reading 1t, Mr.. Murray exclaimed:
II don't approve Of that at all. There
should be an absolute prohibition against au
thorfzing any person or corporation to rur
In any event, ten years is too long {
period for the franchise" commented Mr.
Butler.
Park Commissioner Wheelock being invited
to express his views, said that he had from