The Portland daily press., 1901-01-25
Also Change of Time for
Annual Election.
More Tax Measures Introduced
Yesterday.
rsrro1lL ro rnE rnEss.l

AukActut January AAs @A'so ~ - =
Portland day In the Legislature. and
several matters OF interest to the people
OF the city have been presented. Mr..
Chass introduced in the House bill
which II it becomes law will work a
radical aud desirable change In the con-
duct OF city affairs, for It makes the date
of holding the annual elections the nrst
Monday In December instead Of the first
Monday in March and provides for the
election OF the subordinate city officials
on the second Monday of Acsmber in
stead OF ths second Monday OF March.
This will result in beginning the
municipal year on the first of January
and Will greatly facilitate the public
business. The bill also gives to the
mayor the right to veto specific items In
appropriation bills.
Ths first document read was a remon-
STRANGE OF G. II. Henderson and sixteen
others of Wilton against extending the
jurisdiction OF the Rumford Falls
Municipal court over any part of the
county OF Franklin, which was intro
duced by knowlton OF Farnswo rth.
Mr.. Hill Of Belfast had an act concern
ing veterinary surgeons. The bill pro-
vides that no person, Mess he 10 q grad
uate of veterinary college or school,
shalt advertise or hold himself out as
such graduate, by the uss of any sign,
character, initial letters or otherwise.
Any person violating the provisions OF
the foregoing section shall be punished
by a fine OF not.less than 50 nor more
than $50 or by imprisonment not more
than three months, or by both.
Then came the Portland fire depart
ment bill which was in the hands OF MIR.
Randall. An abstract follows herewith:
FIRE DEPARTMENT BILL.
The Fire department is made an execu-
tive department of the municipal govern
ment and consists OF one chief OF depart
ment. one deputy chief OF department,
and such number Of captains, lieutenants,
engineersmen, pipemen, drivers, truck
men, and other employees and assistants
as the city council may from time to time
determine. The bill creates the offices of
chief OF department and deputy chief of
department, the latter being seoond in
command, both to be appointed. The
chief of department is given sole and alb
solute control and command over all per-
sons connected with the lire department
Of Portland, and shall possess full power
and authority over its government, or
ganization and discipline. He is also em-
powered to prescribe and establish such
rules and regulations as he may deem ad-
visable, subject TO the approval OF the
mayor. The chief Is given full charge
over all apparatus, property and equip
ment OF the department, and Is authorized
to purchase and keep In repair all these
appliances, provided he does not expend
at any one time more than $500 without
authority from the mayor.
This chief also appoints and fixes the
term OF service Of members OF the depart
ment subject to approval OF the mayor.
The chief is to be appointed by the mayor
as soon ms may be after the passage of the
act, and shall hold office during good be-
havior, or until removed by the mayor
for sufficient cause. III chief is required
to recommend to the mayor some person
to serve as deputy chief, who shall assist
the chief IN the dischar GO of his duties,
subject to removal the same as the chief.
All the present members OF the fire de-
partmsnt shall continue to hold 7otfioa for
the terms for which they were elected,
unless sooner removed, and all future ap-
polntments shall be made by the chief,
the number to be determined by the city
council. All removals are subject to the
mayors approval. All power now vested
in the board of engineers an d in the lire
wards is transferred to tine chief; the city
council having power to establish the city
fire limits and TO enlarge same from time
to time. A joint committee appointed by
the mayor and presld snt OF city council
shall be known as the committee on fire
department and shall audit all accounts
Of the chief.
MIR. Randall OF Portland also had an
act comforting additional powers uron the
Portland Gas Light company. This act
gives the company the right to sell gas In
Portland for power, cooking, heating an
all purposes for which gas may properly
be used.
THE LIBEL LAWS.
An act re lstive 10 libel was presented
by Mr. Carleton Of Winthrop. The bill
provides that any action for libel the de-
PENDANT, giving written notice to the