The Saint Paul globe., 1899-03-17
PEOPLE TO ELECT Assessor
RAMSEY DELEGATION/SA SAID TO FA-
VOR THE PASSAGE OF SUCH
A BILL
Several Other Measures Considered
by the DeIegatiOn-Actio De-
ferred on Bill Providing for Re-
organization of MunicipaI Court.


The most important action taken bv
the Ramsey county delegation at meet
ing held last evening was the recon-
mending for passage of a bill providing
for the election of the city and county
assessor by the people at the next gen.
eral election, in 1900.
The bill was introduced in the house
yesterday by Mr.. Schurman (Rep), of
Ramsey. and referred to the local dele
cation. 1t makes the assessor in coun-
ties between 100000 and lS5, 900 inhabi-
tants elected by the people for term OF
two years, commencing Jan. 1. 1901. In
the meantime the provisions Of the bill
authorize the board of county commits
sioners, at meeting to be held in April,
this year, to elect an assessor to serve
until one is chosen by the people at the
fall election in 1900.
The bill was not discussed at the open
session OF the delegation, but was con-
sidered behind closed doors. All but two
of the dozen members present are re-
ported as having favored the measure.
In case the bill passes, the board Of
county commissioners, it is claimed, will
select Chester r. Smith for the asses
| sorship to serve until Jan. l. 1901.
Judge Bazille appeared and requested
that the senate bill providing for salaries
Of judges Of probate and clerk hire be
amended so as to apply to Ramsey coun-
ty so far as 1t related to the salary of
clerks in probate courts. Judge Bazille
stated that his chief clerk was now al
lowed under the law $1,500, and the board
Of county commissioners provided for
50, 500 worth more of clerk hire. He did
not like to be continually importuning t7e
commissioners regarding the amount to
be expended, and asked that 1t be fixed
by law. The delegation decided to have
the bill amended so as to grant the re-
quest, particularly as 1t only increased the
amount S240 over what was now paid
County Attorney Bigelow wanted q
bill he had prepared, allowing $500 each
for a clerk and stenographer, recon-
| mended for passage. He told how sew
eral years ago the total amount allowed
for his office was $4,000, but the legis-
lature had reduced this to Sc, 900, Of which
he received $4,000 and his assistant 81, ,O0O
The county commissioners sallowed $500
for clerk hire in addition to this amount
but this was not sufficient to secure a
clerk and a stenographer.
The delegation decided to cut the
amount asked for in the bill to 81 200 and
recommend its passage.
r. A. Kirk and a delegation spoke in
Hennepin which provides for the ap-
pointment of a probation officer in each
of the Twin Cities at salary Of $500 per
year. If the measure goes through, D. T.
Wellington will be urged for appointment
In st. Paul. The duties of the officer are
to look after juvenile criminals. Mr.
Wellington now does the work, but he
is paid only pittance by the charitable
organizations.
The delegation indorsed the bill
President Blackwell, of the Lincoln
club, who is also a justice of the peace,
protested against the passage of the bill
knocking out justice courts in Ramsey
and Hennepin county. He was assured
that the measure would be killed in the
senate if it was possible for the delega-
ton to do so.
frontage tax was recommended for pas
sage.
The bill drafted by Robertson Howard
providing for reorganization of the mu-
nicipal court and the doing away of one
of the judges and the civil branch was
explained by Mr.. Howard and action on
1t deferred.
J. c. Jansen addressed the delegation
in favor of a bill which would allow the
board of county commissioners Of Ram
sey county to appropriate and expend not
to exceed $1,000 in any one year for the
Improvement of navigable lakes. The
bill, Mr.. Jansen stated, was indorsed by
the White Bear Improvement association
and the citizens of st. Paul and Ramsey
county. 1t would have special applica-
tion to White Bear lake, which, if the
money could be secured, would be greatly
improved, not only by the amount to be
appropriated by the county, but In con-
nectfon with a sum raised by those inter-
ested in the resort
The bill was discussed, but action de-
ferred until the next meeting of the dele
cation.
The proposed raise In the salaries of the
county commissioners Was also laid over
until the next meeting. One Of the mem
bers expressed the opinion that if the
bill authorizing the county board to elect
an assessor should pass 1t might not be
necessary to raise the salaries of the COM
missioners