The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-02-08
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
To the City Charter Discussed at Meet
Ing Last Night.
NOTHING DEFINITE WAS ACCOMPLISHED
Meeting was Held by the City Coun-
ell sitting ms "A Committee
of tho Whole.

meeting last night in the Confederate Vet
Grams room in the city hall. which has
been used as the council chamber since
the September storm.
Alderman Taiffy as mayor pro tenn pre-
sided and all the members OF the council
except Alderman Mueller were present.
On the meeting being cllled to order
Alderman Sonnen arose and stated that
as he understood the purpose OF It. the
meeting was an informal one to give the
aldermen opportunity 10 offer whatever
suggestions or propose whatever amend
ments to the charter they deemed proper.
ALDERMAN Robinson set the bail rolling
by calling attention TO a matter that he
thought IL not .Temedied would further
retard The citys deep water project. He
said he believed that the charter should
provide that no wharfage could be
charged or collected in the city, as no
did not believe the United States would
take much interest In developing a port
unless 1t was specified that it should be
free port
Another matter that Alderman Robin
son touched upon was the frequent APP
pralsement OF city property. He suggest
ed that the charter be so amended as TO
require the appraisement to be mado
instead
once every year as is now being done.
Alderman O'Leary protested against
what he considered the one man power
mat ls now conferred on the mayor by
the charter. lie wanted H. changed 80
that the heads OF the different depart
.ments can control bher respective de-
"a rtments
EfAdelman Snuuen thought the power of
"'ntTol should be vested in the council.
ana Alderman OLclry agreed with him.
but STATED that as things now ARE neither
the council nor hcagls Of departments had
Sufficient authority.
Alderman Aubertin wanted the charter
changed where VI requires a two thirds
/ vote OF the council TO override the action
, Of the board OF public works. lie wanted
a majority vote Of the council 10 he made
10 torn down" that hoard. and later on
! In the meeting he deolarcd ihat he want
cd 10 see the board OF public works
ebol shed
ALDERMAN Thomas suggested that the
aldermen prepare their amendment propo-
sliions and submit them in writing 70
the peN, meeting OF the committee. also
mat the citizens OF Houston he invited
10 make whatever amendment suggestions
They desired al that meeting
Alderman Aubertin sad that was the
Old way OF proceeding; that anybody who
cared TO DO could make suggestions and
-'''N- 'i' 'i's''diiCt III 1910 Wnere ana
when the citizens suggested amendments.
Alderman Haiverton had his amend
nelts written, ready for final considora-
non He said he feared that IL the mat
Yer was delayed mrrh longer the lagis-
IatWe would adjourn before the amend
nIentS were submitted. He announced
ready 10 report and consent for him tn
read his proposed amendments was given
lie read as follows:
section OF the charter Of the city OF
huston should ne amended as follows:
surlKe our IN llno 3, page .. "one thou
"ann ana insert five hundred" In lieu
..nnefeoL strike out in lines 10, II and
-, me following words: (Which polling
places may all be located in the same
building, provided" and insert in line 70
ailer me word vote the word "only f"
a'cton Of the charter OF the city Of
huhSlon should be amended as follows:
IN page strike out in lines G. and s..
me loiiowlng words; And at the oxpi-
tatoo or the term OF the present incum-
pent Shah name candidate for super
lntendent Of schools"
Houston should be amended as tollo,.g.
by aiming after the word "expcdlont'
IN me 10 SAID report after being opened
ana punished. as are other council pro-
ceedlnsS, snail lay over one week before
any action rs taken on same by the said
Council n0 ana any citizen shall have tho
right TO present to the council anv oh
Joctions that he may have TO said report,
Whleh objections shall be duly consld-
eren ana acted upon by the council. Sec
tlon should be further amended by
auulng AZ tne close OF said section, tho
THROWING: NO member of the board OF
pubic WORKS snail be allowed to do ans
business IN mechanical or commercial
May win the said council or with any
oon1Iaplor TOT CITY work"
Section II or the charter OF the city OF
touston snouid ne amended as follows;
IN pase 4 line q and after the word
an the word urgent" and shall he
lurtaer amended by adding after the
t VIZ Guy In line ), ON page -, the
, , Material such as coal, wood,
Ieeu' printing hardware. wagon work.
OF any oIher paterlal, such as lumber.
49,, Mnleh shall amount to as much as
cow per year, snail be let TO the lowest
oidder' after having been advertised for
nFe consecutive days in one of the daily
ne"spaPers' published In the city OF Hous-
ION. y drug store for the furnishing OF
uruss snail Dc. designated by the city
eounun.
,, Seetioh ~ OF the charter OF the city OF
niouslon shouiu ne amended as follows.
~ page -, hne l. after the word PRO
go auu the ioliowing: Provided said
pINAte persons snail be appointed and
a ,me9 III open council before going
on my %
~ ~.