The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-03-19
REDUCED Thu SPOlLS
WHY THE CITY AND COUNTY CON-
SOLIDATION SCHEME FELL
THROUGH
IN THE DELEGATIONS POCKET

Bill Is Wanting Injection of
Florida Water or Some Other Re-
juvennt0r, for 1t Seems to Be Old
anu Infirm-City Hall and Court
House Lobby WayIasd It-WouId
Save Taxpayers Too Much Money.
During the early days of the present.
legislative session there was agitated.
under the auspices of a committee OF the
chamber of commerce, a project for the
economical consolidation of the city and
county governments of St. Paul and
Ramsey county.
The idea found warm advocates, and
was so well thought of by the business
men who compose the chamber that the
matter was turned over to Judge John
B. Sanborn to draw a bill, he being Sc
lected because of his general familiarity
with the subject and his active interest
in the affairs of the chamber.
1t was contended IN behalf of the new
bill not only that 1t was in the interest
of the taxpayers as measure of econ
omy, but that 1t would get rid of some
of the cumbersome features of the eX-
listing system.
1t was urged, In the first place, that
the financial affairs of the city and coun-
ty should be managed in one office. AS
it is, the treaSurerS of the city and coun-
ty are to a certain extent engaged in
duplication Of accounts, which, under
the proposed law, would be remedied,
and a considerable saving in clerk hire
effected. The plan aimed, too, at the
union of the functions of the city comp
&c.
which; it is claimed, would be no more
difficult than the serving of one assessor
for both city and county.
In the legal department likewise a saw
ing could be effected that would be quite
material. 1t Is urged that all the Grim
inal business could be looked after by
one assistant, with the exception of spe-
cial occasions.
1t is contended by attorneys who have
taken an interest in the matter that the
attorney for the city and county, and
one assistant, could look after all the
matters of city ordinances, assessments,
and such technical matters as come be-
fore the county board without severe
pressure on their time or health.
The prosecution of all urban and extra
urban street and road work, under the
direction of one engineer and one board,
was also considered as a way of saving
money, although it would necessitate
giving the people of the county voice
in the selection of the board, and thus
curtail the appointive power of the may.
or to the extent of Looping off the board
of public works from his list of per-
quisites.
1t was also considered that one of the
largest economics would be in the ap
pointment of a city and county court
clerk to look after the district and police
courts alike. The proposition was to
MIC n lie Off oloyI with oil rlx
hire allowance, and have the fees turned
into the city instead of having Ed Rog-
erS carry off the rich returns that he is
now credited with planting In his jeans
annually. There are it is said, legal OBJ
stacles in the way of enforcing such a
change as this until the expiration of Mr..
Rogers term, however.
The board of control and board of
equalization are cited instances of the
Intervening Of the two present govern
mental bodies without serious incon-
venience.
Incidental advantages would be the=s
perior efficacy of the health department
with extended limits, as well as opening
wider territory to the park board.
Estimates of the saving to be effected
by the consolidation vary with the vari-
ance of views as to the extent to which
1t might be possible legally to effect the
consolidation. The lowest estimate is
loVOU annually, while some OF the more
sanguine are of the opinion that the
thorough union of the similar depart
ments might result in a saving of 100000
The bill which provides a plan for the
consolidation was turned over by Gen
Sanborn to Representative w. w Dunn,
the chairman of the Ramsey county dele
cation.
Asked concerning the whereabouts of
the bill a day or two ago, Mr.. Dunn stat
ed that he had not pressed the matter on
the delegation because he had some
doubts as to the practicability of the con-
sohdation as we'll as to the legality of the
proposed changes. 1t was now too late
In the session to do anything with 1t, he
believed, although If any member of the
delegation wished to take the matter I'D.
he would be pleased to turn the bill over
TO him.
Senator Hitler H Horton, who Is the
senate leader of the Ramsey county dele
cation, said that he had not seen the bill.
He had heard some little talk about it.
and believed the measure would be OBJ
posed If 1T were introduced, which, con-
siderfng the lateness of the time in the
session, would preclude the possibility of
the bill passing, even If it were intro
duced
The pocketing of the bill is popularity
credited to the city hall and court house
lobby.