The age-herald., 1900-11-13
THE CITY COUNCIL
 AND LEGISLATION Proposition for Two Chambers
 of City Legislature LONG WISE STEP FORWARD Much Needed Work for the Alabama Legislature to Do for Birmingham
 Mayor to Appoint Leg
 islative Committee
LONG WISE STEP FORWARD

Though the meeting of the City Council last night was long and tedious, the
 monotony of routine business was broken several times by the introduction of impor-
 tant measures. As a rule these were re-
 ferred to committees and not passed upon.
 There was a proposition for two chambers
 of the city legislature.
 One of the acts of importance was the approval of a recommendation from the , finance committee, which provides for the | appointment of a committee to frame bill to be presented to the next Legislature, | amending the present city charter in so far | as city improvements are concerned. It is
 argued that the present charter is inade- | quate, and that by amendments to the law | the city could be saved much money in the issuance of bonds for street improvements.
 The board decided not to make any more
 contracts for improvements until the bill
 could be framed and either passed or re-
 jected by the Legislature.
 Application was made by D. F. Enslen and associated for franchise granting them the right to construct a system of | street railways. This company contemplates l the building of street car system, which will require the expenditures of large
 abount of money. The application was not l accompanied by 5000, as Is required by a | resolution passed by the Council some time | ago, but was referred by a resolution passed by the Council some time ago, but was referred to the judiciary and street
 railway committees with instruction not to consider it until the resolution was com piled with. It was stated that a misunder- standing of the law was responsible for the neglect to accompany the application with a check covering the amount.
 standing of the law was complied with. It was stated that a misunderstanding the ap- plication with a check covering the amount.
 Two Houses of City Legislature.
 Alderman Jones introduced resolution providing a new system of municipal gov ernment for the city of Birmingham His plan Is included in the following resolu- tion:
 Be 1t resolved by the Mayor and Alder men of Birmingham That the members of the Legislature from Jefferson County be
 asked to pass bill during the session of the Legislature amending the charter of | Birmingham so as to provide for two | branches of city legislation; one to be | called Board of Aldermen. composed of | two members from each ward, to be elected by the several wards, the other branch to be called the Council, to be composed of one member from each ward and to be
 elected by the city at large; that each
 branch select its own presiding officer;
 that the Mayor be given tte power of veto,
 but not be allowed to vote in either Board of Aldermen or Council"
 This was referred to the legislation con-
 mittee. to be appointed by the Mayor at later day.
 The board approved the plans and speci- fcations of Architect Helmich for the con-
 struction of the new city hall, and he authorized to immediately advertise for | bids for the purchase and removal of the | old buildings.
 The bill to be presented to the next Leg
 islature authorizing the issuance of bonds | by the city of Birmingham for the purpose
 of erecting the city hall was read and ap- ] proved. On motion of Alderman Gray the | board passed a resolution to the effect that
 Steiner Brothers be paid no interest until | December 1 on the $250,000 to be furnished | for the purpose of erecting the public | buildings.
 The report of the finance committee re- commenting the appropriation of $4992 .55 | for monthly expenditures was adopted. J. | A Merit and J. L.. Aiken, of the Fire De- | partment, were allowed half pay for the | time they have been sick recently. The street committee, through Chairman | Graham, recommended that the contract | for building a storm sewer in Avenue K be
 awarded to John McPoland, his bid of | s25, ,O45.5O being the lowest. Objection was | raised by Alderman Moore. He stated as | one of his grounds that quorum of the | street committee was not present when the | bids were opened. MT. Graham explained | that he had notified the members to be pres | ert and when they did not come he had | followed the usual custom and awarded | the contract to the lowest bidder. His action was approved by the board l The assessments on property owners for | the improvement of South Twentieth street
 were made final. Attorney George V. Evans | was present to represent Mrs. Chisom,
 whom he claims was unjustly taxed. It
 was decided to let her petition be consd-
 cred by the committee.
 An appropriation of $50 was granted pr.
 Charles Whelan, city physician, for the
 purpose of fitting up hospital in the city
 jail building.
 The butchers and vegetable dealers who | have moved into the new market at Twen-
 tieth street and Fourth avenue were re- | l,eved of payment of license until the mis-
 cellaneous committee could consider the
 matter. The tax collector will be instructed | not to collect license money until the mat | ter is settled
 l At 10:30 the board adjourned.