The Portland daily press., 1900-12-11

this showed that the report had not been
an unanimous one. Alderman Milliken
said the contents Of this pamphlet didn't
agree with its title and Alderman Moui-
ton said that the contents OF can didn't
always agree with the label
The aldermen then proceeded to take
up the proposed charter section by SET
ton. The section providing for one board
of aldermen OF twenty-seven members,
thren from each ward 10 serve term OF
three years. brought Alderman Moore to
his feet with an amendment. He wanted
the board OF aldermen to consist OF
twelve members and common council 10
consist of twenty.ssven members. He
said he believed the present form OF city
council had given satisfaction, and be
did not believe it would he any benefit
Co the city to make change. The idea OF
concentration OF power OF nine men or
one board was a step towards monarchy.
MIR. Moore went on TO say that the con-
centraticn OF power had brought about
the overthrow OF Rome and Greece and
this was because of the lack Of restrain
ing power OF the people. He oounselled
keeping nearer the people and sticking as
close TO the old town form OF govern
ment. He said he proposed twelve alder
men, one from each ward and three at
large. He said that he didn't think the
fact that the proposed board would con-
sist of thirteen members would deter any
one from voting for this amendment, He
said that he prouosed the three aldermen
at large because Il would DO the uiti-
mate destiny of South Portland to be-
come part OF Portland, ana then South
Portland could have the three aldermen
at large assigned TO the three proposed
wards of thet part of the CITY.
Alderman Drisuoll said that he had
contemplated opposing this aboiishing OF
the lower board but now he had studied
the matter some and had found that
where the single board was adopted it
had proved a great success,
Alderman MiIliken asked II any city
the size of Portland had abolished the
lower board. MIR. Drisooll knew of none.
Alderman MouIton said that he was
not 5 much In favor Of n single board
as he had been, but taking everything In
to consideration he was inclined to favor
the single board idea. One reason was
because the council often was not able to
keep as closely in touch with mattsls as
might be done II all the business was
transacted in one room. He acknowledged
that the common council often served as
a check on the hasty action Of the alder
oil In ha fhnnnht
board was the best.
Alderman Moore asked IL the discussion
of this matter was governed by the same
rules as ordinarily applied. The mayor
said that he supposed the same rules APP
MED as in ordinary cases, but this ne ed
not hinder the gentleman from talking
as much as he pleased as the ordinary
custom was for the board to violate. all
rules. Mr. Moore then proceeded to argue
in favor of three aldermen at large as
proposed In his amendment.
Alderman Thomas favored one board
because It would not divide the RESPONSE
biiity as much as it Is now divided.
The section as originally reported pro-
vldlng for one board of twenty-seven al
dermen then passed by vote OF five to
two
The section relating to the duties of the
mayor was passed without debate.
In section four relating TO the approval
OF contracts there was some discussion as
to whether the sum OF $500 or $500 could
be expended without approval of the
mayor. Alderman Thomas wanted the
sum reduced TO $500. The section as re-
ported making the sum $500 was passed
by vote OF four to three.
The section relating to the power of the
mayor to remove all officers or members
OF boards appointed by the mavor subject
to the approval of the board OF aldermen
lay this section Oh the table. The vote
was lost. The section then passed by a
vote OF five to two.
The following sections which gives the
mayor the power to veto the whole or
part of measure and to return his veto
at any time within a month were adopted
without much debate. The next section
relating to the powers of the city council
in which little change had BEEN made
from the old charter was also adopted.
g oslon nine which only changes the
name of the head of the police depart
ment from marshal to chief OF police and
deputy marshals to CAPTAINS was adopted
without debate.
The mayor being temporarily called
from the room Alderman Moulton was
called to the chair. Those sections per.
tanning TO the establishment OF the pub
lie works commission were then taken
up. The only change in the existing con-
dition of affairs on the proposed charter
is In the taking away some of the coni-
missioner's powers in awarding contracts
and giving the committee IN public
works the power TO award all contracts
and do all work under the direction
of the committee. This gives the COM
mitbee more, and the commissioner less
power than is now the casa.
Alderman Moulton said this seomed to
be returning to the old condition of