The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-01-11
SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS.
Charter Commissioners Talk
Over the System.
Ex.Ald. Hubbard is Opposed to the One
Man Power in the City
Government.

~NA-AAA~NRS1ON~ AANAN
meeting Monday, owing to the
absence of a quorum, 1t requires the
presence of ten out of the fifteen mem
bers to have quorum, and it is feared
that good many meetings will fail
of quorum.
While no business could be transact
ed and the judiciary committee had
no report to make, the seven members
present talked over several features of
the charter informally.
Considerable opposition to an alder
man at large was manifested, the
general opinion being that six alder
men do very well. One or two of
those present favored two aldermen to
the ward.
The principal discussion, however,
was upon the question of special as
sessments for local improvements. 1t
was the general opinion that the char
ter should be so framed that the provi-
sion for paying assessments in five
annual installments will become of
practical service. At present the
twelve per cent interest on deferred
payments operates to render the pro-
vision useless, as no one cares to pay
that rate of interest. 1t is likely that
the rate of interest will be reduced.
The provision of the present charter
which permits of the issuing of certi-
tinued.
There is talk among members of the
the council be asked to call special
r election for the submission of the new
charter. The commission does not ex-
pect to complete its labors in time for
the municipal election, and it is felt
that the chances for the charter to
carry will be vastly greater if it should
be submitted at special election.
R. D. Hubbard, who was a member
of the commission that framed the pre-
sent charter and who has served on
the council, is firmly of the belief that
there should be no one man power in
the city government. He would have
the mayors power restricted much the
same as at present. 1t was intended
that the assessor should serve on the
board of public works without extra
compensation. Mr.. Hubbard states
that the present charter was drawn
very hastily, as there was not much
time at the disposal of the commits
sion. Some of the features have not
worked out just as was expected, yet
no charter could give good satisfaction
unless good men are in Office, which is
the most important thing after all.
Regarding the one man power pro-
posed by some of the members of the
present charter commission, Mr.. Hub
bard said to Free Press reporter: II
am surprised that Mayor Currier
should have advocated such step. 1t
is the policy of all large business or
CARNATIONS to transact their affairs
through a board of directors, and the
president has little left to do This is
true of railroads, manufacturing COM
panies, and corporations of all kinds.
The theory is that several heads are
better than one. A small, compact
board of directors or board of alder
men gives far better service than a
one-man power in corporation or
city government. I am strongly OPP
posed to oneman power in our new
city charter The temptation of alb
solute power is great, and with bad
mayor the city government would be
very bad indeed.
The judiciary committee met Satur-
day evening and decided to recommend
to the full commission that the city
attorney be elected by popular vote and
that the city be divided into seven
wards, in order to break the tie in
the council