The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-01-16
BILL PROPOSES SEVEN
CHARTER AMENDMENTS.
Mr.. Wiggins introduces Measure in the
City COuncil-NOt the Public Wei
fare Commissions Work.

| Councilman Charles Virgins yesterday
| afternoon introduced in the City Council a
| biII proposing seven amendments TO the
| City Charter. The measure covers lco type
written pages and was formulated by MI.
! Virgins and several OF his friends. 1t has
no connection with the bill drawn up by the
| special committee on the Nonpartisan Com
| mission for the Public Welfare.
Mr.. Virgins declined last night 10 state
who had assisted him in preparing the
Council bill.
/ I'm announce the authors when the prop
| er time comes" he said, but I'm not now
/ al liberty to say who collabo-ated with
| me EXCEPTING the provisions relating TO
the merit system. the Board Of Public I'm
! proyements and few other subjects. the
! blu is practically the same as one sub
mitted 10 the Council in lS96-S7.
the measure.
The institution Of a merit system to GOV
eTn the employment Of subordinates In all
municipal departments. and the creation OF
commission TO conduct examinations and
enforce the regulations Of the proposed
Innovation; the amendment of the section
relating To the levy OF special taxes.
10 permit II instalment payments for pub
lie improvements. in the event that proper
~ owners request this favor and guaran-
tee the city: the exclusion of Harbor and
Wharf Commissioner from the Board OF
Supervisor OF City Lighting and the
Commissioner OF Public Buildings To-
membership; Encouragement of the
district sewer system; section TO
oblIge the Municipal Assembly 10
dispose OF new bills within thirty days
and one making the election OF the Speaker
of the House OF Delegates by the people.
instead of by the members Of the House.
are among the changes proposed.
The following abstract of the bill was
furnished by Mr.. Virgins:
The Amendments proposed are seven In num-
Der. and are numbered consecuIlvely.
For the Merit System.
ana Ameadmen' Is Q, eTsiel: Of ehsIier.
The amendment strikes out present section :.
Law; and substitutes new article adopting and
organizing the merit system or appointments.
ice of the city depend upon ntness. gives Tie
, appolntlng oihcer choice IN any case out et
taolish any liked tenure Of position
Speaker TO lie Elected.
amendment is OF article ;. relating 10
amendment drafted by the charter Commission
IN isses. 1t reccneiles the quailncatiens required
makes Speaker OF House elective by the voters
cial elections to MI vacancies: provices for two
sessions each year. the length OF sessions being
ing a speedy report on bills BY conInittees Tn-
legislative powers are extended referring to para
such extent as the state Constitution may
low. and nxing conditions : Municipal owner
ship and operation of street raIlways. OF plants
TO produce and distribute light. heat and power
for sypyIng d yi R ,g'sts anu IS an1,
Of public work and TO estaonsh conditions of
power license certain vocatIons whIch did
not exist when Charter was adopted; gives pow
OF business whose conunuance may be. and
often is. Objectionable. but which have existed
No material change. ]. No cnange. s. No change.
ADV ri AM
10 require payment for space under.
vate use. 10. Increases length OF time for which
evildoeEs may be sent to WoTkhouse. 50 as TO
ns Of s over * .1oS can be enforced by WorKnouss
sentence IL New conditions as 10 railway fran.
buildings. u. No material change. "A. No cnanse.
10 s X q 10 snsr sna dsss
Of approval Section 80 1llows the settlement OF
ton y. allows the Assembly by four-nfths vote
Changes In City Omce..
Amendment No. to article 4. relating TO
section / Drops Inspector OF Weights and
Measures from list Of elected officers.
within ninety days after adoption OF amenafnent
or within ninety days after his election all the
TO the success OF an administration. or whose
opposition could hamper it.
ImrrGven ents. giving II two new memoers-Su-
perintendent Of Buildings sad superintenaent Of
Sec sB Abolishes the entire list of officers
now existing which have relations to the policy
Of administration. and transfers their duties 10
new and other ofncersA The number Of offices
diminished BY four. each OF which now has sep
arato organization.
Sec. 3 Does away with requirement of spe-
cial elections TO ill vacancies IN the interest
economy-
Section transfers present duties OF President
OF Board Of Public improvements and Comptrol-
Ter, relating TO special tax assessments 10
sppolrtive officer. designated Assessor OF Spe-
cial Taxes. The amount Of special tax work
ucipated fer future years renders this change
desirable in consideration OF economy. simplicity
Of methods and public convenience.
Sec. g. Provides definite procedure in cases OF
suspeT sion and trial Of elective or appontive Of
ficers.
Sec. 8. Special provisions relating to trial OF
ele, tive officers by Council.
Sec. Z. In case Of removal OF eppointive officer
by Mayor the Council shall elect another person
10 fill the place
Sec. s. Appointments by Mayor must be acted
by the Council within ten days. or they will
be deemed approved.
Sec II; Exempts members OF Merit System
Commission from requirement that all their time
be given TO official duties: also excepts all
officers when absent from the city en- official
business on leave OF absence
Sec. L. Relates TO removals from office.