The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-10-20
TAX LEVY is HELD Up
COUNTY AUDITOR JOHNSON DE-
MANDS THAT 1T BE AMENDEE
TO MEET CHANGES
ACTION OF THE STATE BOARD


As 1t Increased the City Valuation
by 100000, the Auditor In
sisted That the Levy Should BE
Made in Accordance Herewith
1t Should Also Be in Fixed
Amounts Rather Than Per Cent.
Prior to the meeting of the assembly
last evening caucus of the members
was held to consider a resolution amend
ing the tax levy resolution passed py
the council Oct. g. 1t was announced
that the resolution had to be amended
owing to the action of the state board
of equalization increasing the assessed
valuation of the city some 100000. The
facts are, however, that County Auditor
Johnson notified the council that unless
the tax levy rate resolution was not
amended he would not make the levy,
and it was for this purpose that the
caucus was held.
When the tax levy rate resolution was
sent to the council by Comptroller NC
Cardy that official had figured out the
rate for the city, county and state III
each of the ten assessment districts ana
gave the rate for each item In the levy.
The council passed the resolution with
out any discussion or consideration.
When the resolution reached County
Auditor Johnson that official DECIDED thaC
the comptroller had OVerstepped his du-
ties and that the resolution did not
comply with the section of the general
law which provides that the levy snail
set forth specific amounts instead OF the
rate per cent in each district.
1t had been whispered that the comp
troller in speaking of the county auditor
had expressed the opinion that John
son was a lightweight" and this only
made the county auditor more deter
mined that this year the levy resolution
passed by the council should be accord
ing to law and not according to the
opinion of the city comptroller.
The caucus of the assembly decided
that the point raised by the county audi
tor was good one and accordingly an
amended resolution was passed setting
forth the specific amounts to be raised
in each assessment district for interest
and sinking fund, school purposes ard
department funds. The figures of the
comptroller as TO the rate per cent for
the state county and city in each dis
trict which were made a part of the
resolution passed Oct 6, were also elm
mated from the amended resolution
passed last night.
There was quite an argument over the
fee house which the Peoples Ice company
had been authorized by resolution to
erect on Smith avenue, between Third
and Chestnut streets. ASsemblyman Mel
son introduced resolution repeating the
permission given to the company to put
UP the structure.
Assemblyman Thompson wanted the re-
pealing resolution sent to the commit
tee on streets and Mr.. Denny also ap-
proved of this course. County Assessor
Seng, who resides across the street from
the proposed building objected to- this
for the reason that if there was any de-
lay in repeating the resolution the COM
pany would put up the building while the
council was investigating. Assembly,
man Albrecht favored the repeal of the
permission granted for the reason that
| the legal and moral rights of theNowners
of property adjoining were being in
jured. The ordinance relating to the
fire limits provided that no structure Of
the kind should be erected and a mistake
had been made in granting permission
without first hearing from the property
| owners.
The repeating resolution was passed by
a vote of 8 to /, Assemblyman Denny
voting against it. In order to make the
| repeal effective the board of aldermen
must concur in the action of the assem-
bly,.
The mayor notified the assembly that
he had removed Abraham Welsh as
member of the police force for conduct
unbecoming a police officer and for the
good of the service. The action of the
mayor was concurred in.
The appointment of Gustave A. Zin1-
hermann as policeman, vice J. A.
Speakman, was approved.
A resolution was passed discharging
the special joint council committee which
selected as a market site the block
bounded by Fourth, Fifth Franklin and
Exchange streets The resolution named
a new committee, consisting of Aid.
Bell, Shepard and Reeves, and Assembly
MEN Craig, Benson and Warner, to act
with the city engineer in choosing an
other site and reporting the same to the
council. 1t is understood that the make
up Of the special committee appointed
under the resolution is such that a re-
port recommending the selection of the
Eagle street site will be the result of
its deliberation
The city engineer was authorized to
replank the roadway of the Sixth street
and Smith avenue bridges. City Engi-
neer Claussen stated that both structures
would have to be repaired or closed to
travel On the Sixth street bridge it is
the intention to replank the roadway
but eighteen feet, and then in the spring
repave the structure with brick, so as to
conform to the paving of the new part
recently constructed. The replanlking
will cost about $1,000. The Smith avenue
| bridge is to be replanked the full width
| and the cost is estimated at $1,000. The
| expense for both bridges will be paid out
| of the bridge repair fund
An ordinance amending the one now
in force relating to the use of the side
| walks for displaying goods and mer-
| chandise was handed in by President
| Dix. The amendment provides that two
| feet outside the property line shall be
| allowed owners or occupants of stores
! to display goods. The amendment was
necessary, President Dix explained ow-
| Ing to the recent order of the mayor to
have all distractions removed from the
| sidewalks 1t was referred to the COM
mittee on streets
The resolution vacating that part of
| Hatch street, between Mackubin and
Kent streets, for the Minnesota Irvine
| Grass company, was passed.
| The assembly adjourned to Tuesday
| evening at 7:30 o'clock
| A special meeting of the board of all
| dermen was scheduled for last evening
! but there being no quorum present an
| adjournment was taken to Tuesday even
| ing.