The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-01-08

The special joint committee OF coun-
ellis appointed to draw up amendments
to the present laws governing second
class cities met last night and directed
City Solicitor Vosburg, who was press
ent. to prepare four specific amend-
ments.
Those present at the meeting were
Select Councilmen G.. G.. Chitte nden,
Joseph Oliver and John +. Roche,
Common Councilman Luther Keller.
Mayor Moir and City Solicitor Vos.
burg.
The whole question OF second class
Legislation was discussed very thor
oughly for nearly two hours and the
amendments decided upon were the
unanimous choice of the members
present.
The first amendment decided upon
and the one which is considered the
most important takes out of the hands
of councils the power to elect the
heads Of the departments of public
safety. public works and public chari-
ties and makes these officials appoint
ed by the mayor. with the confirma-
ton OF select council.
Each and every member OF the
committee present expressed himself
as heartily favoring this amendment.
Mr.. Roche said that there was no get
ting around the fact that public GEM
timent at large, not only in this city
but in Pittsburg and Allegheny as
well, demands the passage of such an
amendment.
KEYNOTE TO SITUATION.
Mr.. Chittenden thought 1t advisable
to just decide upon this one amend
ment, which, he said. was the key
note OF the whole situation, and to
make fight on 1t alone. 1t was con-
sidered, however. by the other mem.
bers that it was better TO decide upon
several other amendments as we'll and
secure the passage of all at the same
time.
The second amendment decided upon
was suggested by City Solicitor Vos-
burg. 1t provides for the abolition of
appointed viewers TO assess damages
for any public Improvement, and
for the constitution OF per-
manent board of viewers to consist OF
| the city engineer and the street COM
| missioner.
The advantage claimed for this
amendment is the great economy
which its passage will mean to this
city. At present, the bills of viewers
| for services rendered, and these some-
| times mount up very high in case of n
| big sewer, are paid directly by the
| city, being charged against the judg-
ments and incidentals appropriation.
The third and fourth amendments
decided upon provide respectively for
/ tho aIanfian nf n panara1 rappivar pf
all taxes and for the repeal of the
| clause of the second class city act
governing public printing. This print
ing clause provides that all city ordi-
nances, ETC., shall be printed in five
| four in this city it would be necessary
| town paper to fulGll the provisions of
the statute. The reports of every city
department must also be printed in
| full, making the printing item q pret-
| ty big one in Pittsburg and Allegheny.
The printing bill in the latter city
amounts to over $780, 900 4 year. while
| Scranton's is at present but little over
s.. 900.
More amendments were discussed
| but it was deemed advisable to de-
cue THESE lOuT OHiy, IL ilS'C-
essary to drop all of these except the
| one giving the mayor power to appoint
the heads of the three great depart
ments.
TO PREPARE AMENDMENTS.
Mr.. Vosburg win prepare these
amendments and submit them at q
second meeting OF the committee
which is to be held on Saturday night
in City Clerk Lavelles office. This
meeting will be attended not only by
the members of the committee but by
| Senator Vaughan and Representatives
| Philbin, Scheuer, James and Reynolds
The amendments will then be dis
cussed again and ways and means
adopted for securing their speedy
! passage through the legislature. Mr..
Roche. perhaps, best expressed the
proper plan to be adopted in securing
their passage when he said:
Let us, as a committee, keep away
| from Pittsburg and Allegheny and con-
centrate our efforts on Harrisburg.
| The time is over for conference with
| other cities, and the time Is here for
| setting every possible influence at
work to secure the passage of these
amendments through the legislature.
The chances for their passage. to me.
look extremely favorable.
"Mr. Quay has elected the speaker of