The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-06-08
Up 10 TIE COMMISSION
TT MUST NOW ASSUME THE BUR-
DEN OF CHANGES In PO-
LICE FORCE
ASSEMBLY HANGS THEM UI
Are Referred to Committee by n
Vote of Five to FOur-EIks'
Carnival Opening
Holiday.

evening to concur In the changes in the
police department recommended by
Mayor Smith and passed at the first
meeting by the new board of aldermen
Two Republicans, Messrs. Benson and
Nelson, voted with the only two Demo-
Gratis in the body. DR.. Whitcomb and AS
sembtyman Haas, to concur, at least so
far as the heads of the police depart
ment were concerned but the other five
Republicans obstructed the confirma ton
The police changes came up in the
regular order of business as passed by
the board of aldermen. Assemblyman
warner moved that the matter be re-
ferred to the committee on police, and
Assemblyman Craig seconded the mo-
ton. Assemblyman Haas asked to have
the appointments and removals consld-
cred separately, but President Nelson or
dered the roll call on Assemblyman War
ner's motion. The vote was five to four
in favor of referring the matter TO the
committee on police, so there was no
further opportunity to pass upon any
or the changes or appointments.
This action passes the entire matter Of
police appointments and changes up to
the police commission, which will organ
re and be in effect under the new char
ter June 10.
In explaining his vote Assemblyman
Benson took a few raps at the police de-
partment as it was operated under for
mer Mayor KiefeI and as it Is now
constituted, declaring that he believed the
people had voted for a cnange in the
police department at the recent election,
and that he believed the voters should
have what they wanted. He reminded
the assembly that it had hitherto been
the custom, though at times it had
been calling, under former Mayor Kiefer,
to confirm all police appointments and
changes made by the mayor. and in
sisted that the assembly should at least
show Mayor Smith the courtesy to al
low him the privilege of naming chief
of police of his own choice. Assembly
man Benson said that so far as whole
sale removals from the force were con-
cerned, he believed such matters should
be left to the police commission, which
would soon have entire charge of the
police force, but as far as posing as an
obstructionist, he declined to do So and
announced that he voted mo- on the mo-
ton to refer the aldermanic communica-
ton to the committee on police, declar-
ing that he would vote II given an OPP
portunity to concur in the appointment
of John OConnOr as chief of police.
Assemblyman Whitconb strongly urg-
ed concurring in the mayors appoint
ments and changes. Said he:
1t is not my intention to In any way
become partisan, but for a period ex-
tending over many months there has
been condition of affairs in our police
department which has neither reflected
credit upon our city nor extended pro-
lection to the community. For a long
time the disorganization and evident in
competency was said to have been due
to a lack of harmony between the mayor
and the chiefs of the department. The
changes effected by the former mayor for
the sake of harmony brought no relief; in
fact, If anything, only a worse condition
of affairs.
Our mayor In his wisdom, for which
he should be commended, has appointed
for chief of the police department John
O'Connor. man whom the business in
terests of the city feel would make an
excellent official, who is not only favor
ably known in our own city, but one
whose reputation as a th1ef-taker ex-
tends the length and breadth of our land
and from Scotland Yard to Winnipeg
Let the citizens Of st. Paul know that
We are heartily in earnest in this matter,
and that we are for safety and protec-
ton, which will be had by concurring in
the appointment Of a man who is com
mended by every prominent police and
detective authority in the United States.
When President Nelson cast his vote
he offered the same explanation vouch-
safed by AssembIyman Benson. The vote
on the roll call was: Yeas-Dix, Denny,
Craig, Warner. Wheeler. Nays-W hit
comb, Haas, Benson, Nelson.
The assembly confirmed the appoint
ment of A. NJ. Bartlett as pounlmastCr,
made by former Mayor Kiefer.
resolution fixing July 16 for a re-
hearing of the 0etition of the Union
Depot company to set aside certain parts
Of the levy for railroad purposes, was
passed. An ordinance fixing the districts
in which bicycles may be ridden In the
Sixth ward was given it's final reading
and passed.
Assemblyman Nelson introduced a res
olution authorizing the proper city Off
Gals to sign the lease for the Constans
market site, which was promptly re-
ferred, without discussion, to the com
mittee on streets.
resolution appropriating $500 for ex-
penses of the commission to revise the
building laws was adopted, upon recon-
mendatfon of the corporation attorney.
The sum is to be expended for clerk
hire, stationery and other miscellaneous
expenses.
A resolution declaring June Is, the date
of the opening Of the Elks' carnival, a
holiday, was unanimously passed. The
resolution requests all business firms to
reelase their employees upon this day,
that the opening of the fair may be as
suspicious as possible.
In consideration OF the fact that the
new charter vftiates the former char
ter under which the common council
operate, Assistant Corporation Attorney
GrIggs advised the assembly that 1t was
believed that the body should not con-
slider business transacted or partly COM
pleted by the former assembly, and no
action was taken on matters pending
from the former body. The proper dispo-
sition of such matters will be determined
at the next meeting Of the assembly.