The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-12-16
REVISION In GENERAL
SCOPE OF THE CHARTER
COMMISSION
DEFEATED BY UNEVEN VOTE
Some of the Members Wanted the
Chapters That Would Furnish Re-
lief to the Schools to BE the Only
Ones Touched - Judge FIandrau
Suggests That Another Ward Be
Formed Out of the County.

Formed Out of the County
The charter commission last night de-
c1ded that the question of school rev
enues was not of so much Importance
as general overhauling Of the charter.
A resolution introduced by Carl Taylor
to the effect that the commission re-
port charter that should not make
any radical changes in the present char
ter, except for the purpose of affording
| relief to the schools, was voted down.
the only members favoring 1t being
! Messrs. o Brien, Albrecht and TAYLOR.
Judge Flandrau presided, and the alb
| sentees were Chester r. Smith and H.
w. Childs. The subcommittee appoint
ed TO report chapters on the almshouse
and city hospital, fire department and
gas and gasoline lamps and inspectors
submitted drafts of proposed chapters.
IN view OF the fact that the city hos
pital and almshouse were under the
joint management of the city and county
the committee reported that the commits
sion had no power and that the law as
now in force be continued AS to the
ire department the subcommittee recon-
nended that the term of office of the
members of the fire commissioners be
made fVe years, instead of three, and
that the mayor appoint the members
without the concurrence of the council.
AS TO the salaries the committee re-
ported that these be left to the considera-
ton OF the committee on salaries AS to
the. gas and gasoline lamps the commit
tee recommended that the provision for
lamp inspector be eliminated for the
reason that the provision was repealed
IN 1913 and that such other provisions as
the making of contracts for lighting he
referred to the committee on common
council.
MI Albrecht suggested that all reports
OF subcommittee be laid over until the
next meeting after being received in or
der TO allow members to become ac-
Qualnted with the provisions This was
hnally agreed to. Prof Bridgman re-
ported that the committee on schools
mad been at work, but was not ready to
report. President Flandrau raised the
question If the commission did not have
the power to consolidate the county with
the city The state constitution, Sec
uon of article 9, gave the legislature
power TO consolidate cities into counties
Mnen there was population of over
W,eoo. 1t vas the intention when the
constitution was adopted in 1857, that
at some time the city of ST. Paul would
take in Ramsey county The oues+ion
was now whether the commission could
consolidate the city and county It was
desirable and In his opinion proper and
the commission could do anything ger
name to charter. The commission had
the power to make a charter just for
the city as a constitutional convention
mad power to make a constitution for
state He was chairman of the sub
m nd h<,,,
less the commission decided otherwise
ne should report that the present CITY
De divided into eleven wards and the
county designated as the twelfth ward
The people wanted it and the consolida-
ton would facilitate business.
MI Albrecht questioned if the people
IN the country districts wanted to pay
city taxes 1t WAS also a question if he
city wanted TO pay for policing and light
Ing the country districts and stand O her
expenses which would follow consolida-
ton. The suggestion of President Elan
drau was referred to the subcommittee
on boundaries.
Mr.. Fetter wanted action taken on the
report of the subcommittee which had
reported chapters on fire department and
almshouse
Mr.. . Brien brought up the question Of
having the school question taken up first,
and urged that This be the first and only
thing considered by the commission The
commission had been appointed for this
purpose, and while some of the peoDle
had discovered a new way of finding re-
lief for the schools, it was too bad that
the scheme had rot been brought forward
before. The school question had re arded
the growth of the city for years, and the
commission should bend It's energies to
this direction. Every radical change
made In the charter outside Of the school
revenue lessened the chances in favor
of its adoption. As to other changes In
the charter such consoltda ting the city
and county and making changes in the
police and fire department, and all other
matters. the commission had four years
to consider these. What should be done
was to provide for school revenues, and
have the charter adopted Other changes
could come after. Politically he was OPP
posed to the present city government,
but he believed nearly all the city Of
fcials were opposed to a new charter.
The salaries of the teachers were too low
and he was opposed to having them re-
duced. What the commission should do
was to determine that 1t should confine
itself to providing a necessary revenue
to support the schools of the city.
Mr.. Tighe insisted that the present
charter must be gone through with az
! it contained a mass of words that were
not necessary, such as historical appoint
ments made in 1872
Mr. OBrien thought this was begging
the question. The question was whether
the present charter was satisfactory.
Personally he did not think it was An
ideal one, but he would gladly waive his
Jews In order to have something done
for the schools. For instance, he thought
there was no need of a board of public
works of four members, but if changes
were made on this line, the charter would
! meet with opposition. For this reason
he was IN favor of attending TO the wants
of the schools, and then at a later date
making changes which would give an
ideal charter. For this reason he moved
the adoption of a resolution introduced
! by Prof Bridgman at the last meeting
! of the commission, providing that he first
duty Of the commission should be to pro-
vide a revenue for the schools.
Mr.. Durment insisted that the report
of the subcommittee on fire department
and matters be adopted.
Mr.. Tighe saw nothing radical in the
changes made in the report of the COM
mittee. He inquired of Mr.. Doran If
there was any objection to having the
mayor appoint the members of the fire
board without the council concurring In
the appointment. Mr.. Doran said the
mayor should either be given full charge
or the department placed in the hands Of
a commission.
Mr. Bridgman said 1t was the first duty
of the commission to provide for the
schools.
Mr.. Albrecht thought the commission
was getting into snarl.
President Flandrau said he had given
some attention to the school question,
and so far as he was able to understand
there was no deficiency in the school
he