Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1901-01-22
A RIPPER INTRODUCED
Proposed New Charters For
Pennsylvania Cities.
FOR PiTFsBURG AND ALLEGHENY.


Law - Introduced by MuchIbroDnsr,
of Allegheny County - The Officials
Chosen For the senate.
Harrisburg. Jaa. "a new charter
or ripper bib for Ptttsbars, Ale
gheny and Scranton, which constitute
the second class cities Of PennsylYa-
MIA, Nas introduced III the senate
last night I5y Senator Muhl5ronner, Of
Allegheny Under the proposed law
the mayor 81 such cities shall hold
office Tor three years aad SHAH NOT BE
eligible for reelection nor for any
office or position in the city for the
next two years succeeding tile elpira-
ton of his term. lie shall, by written
order transmitted to select council,
remove from office any head of de-
partment, Director or other officer APP
pointed by him, and. as often as he
may think proper. he may appoint
three persons to examine the accounts
of any city department. trust officer
or employee. There shall be the fol-
lowing executive departments and no
other departments can be created:
Public safety, public works, receiver
of taxes, assessors, city treasurer,
city controller, law, charities and cor
rection and sinking fund commission.
The department of public safety shall
be under the charge of one person.
who shall have control of the police,
fire. health etc No policeman nor
fireman shall be dismissed without
his written consent except by decis-
ion of court, composed of the po-
lice and fire force. The department
of public works shall be under the
charge Of one director, who shall have
control of the water works, gas
works. etc.
The receiver of taxes shall hold Of
flee for three years. The office of de
linquent taxes Is abolished, The de
partment of assessors shall consist of
three persons. The city treasurer shall
hold Office for three years and cannot
succeed himself The city solicitor
shall hold office for three years and
may have as many assistants as are
authorized by ordinance. The act
does not specify the length of term
of the person in charge of the de-
partment of charities and correction.
The sinking fund commission shall
applicable to the sinking fund shall
be under their charge. The city
treasurer controller and assessors
shall be elected at the regular mu-
nicipal election The heads of the
various other departments shall be
nominated by the mayor, with the adj
vice and consent of select council,
and shall hold office during the
~
except for political reasons. they can
remove or suspend subordinate Off
GERS. The merit system shall prevail
in the appointment and promotion of
city employees. Municipal officers
shall be liable to impeachment, sus-
pension and removal for any corrupt
act, practice, malfeasance, misman-
agement. mental incapacity or incom-
potency, or for extortion, receiving
any gift or present from any eontrac-
tor, or from any person furnishing
material to the city, or from any in
eumbent or candidate for any mu-
nicipal office, and for wilfully conceal
ing any fraud committed against the
city. The legislative power shall be
vested in select and common council.
One select councilman shall be elect
and one common councilman for each
1000 registered taxables. Select coun-
cilmen shall serve for four years and
common councilmen two years. No
member of councils shall hold any
office under the United States, state,
county or city, except notary public
or commissioner of deeds. Councils
shall hold two sessions in each year.
o& Nv
and no session shall continue for
more than so days. The mayor shall
have power to continue the regular
session or call special sessions. All
contracts shall be let to the lowest
responsible bidder and every contract
shall be let by the mayor and head
of the proper department. Within 30
days after the approval of the bill
the governor shall fill the office of
mayor in each of the second class
cities The appointee shall have all
the powers of the proposed act The
successors shall be chosen at the reg
ular municipal election in 1908, and
shall be qualified the first Monday in
April following. Upon the appoint
ment being made by the governor the
Office of mayor existing in any second
CihSS CITY, aN Ntti as ali olilci tACtu-
tive officers, positions and employ
ment, shall be abolished, except as
preserved in this section. These Off
GERS shall at once cease to act. The
bill does not effect the city treasurer,
city controller or boards Of assessors,
who shall continue until their sue
cessors are elected in 1908. The coun-
ellis of all existing cities of the sec
ond class shall remain in office until
the first Monday of April, 1902, and
their Successors shall be elected in
1901. The provision as to eonfirma-
ton by select council of appointments
by the mayor shall not apply to those
made by the mayors appointed by the
governor All laws relative to the
government of second class cities are
repealed unless preserved by the
terms of the bill, as well as all laws
inconsistent with or supplied by the
act.