The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-08-30
MADE.
Council to Pay Off $4,000 More
Floating Debt.
The Aldermen Listen to the Reading of
the New Charter and Make
Comments.

over, thus giving the aldermen an oppor-
tunity to familiarize themselves with
its contents. All were present, includ-
ing the mayor, board of public works
and city attorney. Nothing was said
or done to indicate what action the
council will take about calling a spe-
cial election.
The city recorder did the reading
and the mayor and aldermen listened
and interjected comments where it
pleased them so to do. Complaint was
made with several features of the new
charter. A number of clerical errors
were found in the original copy. sew
eral of which would prove embarrass-
ing unless there was some way to rec
tify them. The aldermen have nc
authority to change the text of the
charter, and it is question whether
the charter commissioners have the
right at this time. The city attorney
did not care to give an opinion about
this, off hand.
In the section that requires the city
officials to give bonds, the text reads,
'Ebonds for the faithful performance
Of their" The word "duties' is left
out. This is one of the errors and in
dictates their nature.
City Recorder Williams criticised
that portion Of his duties as defined in
the new charter where he is required
! to make an estimate of the expenses of
the city for the succeeding fiscal year
previous to the council making the tax
levy. He stated that he had told the
charter commission that in practical
operation it would not amount to any
! thing: He holds that only the council
knows what money it wants to expend
the next year.
The provision which prohibits al
dermen from furnishing the city with
any material created sensation. 1t is
much stricter than the provisions OF
! the present charter On this subject. 1t
provides that the aldermen can be
forced to refund the money and upon
conviction their Offices are vacated.
Another feature that caused COM
ment was that providing for the pay
of aldermen. At present the aldermen
receive 50 per meeting, regular, sd-
journed or special. Under the new
| charter they would receive $aa meet
ing, but the pay'is limited to twenty
FIVE meetings year, which is the
number of regular meetings.
The aldermen gave particular atten-
| ton to the salary list, comparing the
old and new charters on this. The
new charter increases the salary of
the city recorder from $500 to- $500 a
yesr, that of the city treasurer frona
$500 to 5000, that of the superinten-
| dent of improvements from $3.50 te
$780, The salary of the assessor il
reduced from $3.50 to $500 per year,
and the city attorneys is fixed at $500
instead of being left at the discretion
of the council. The pay of the poles
is changed from s45 for one month ant
500 for two months, alternating, tt
$50 per month for the first yeal
500 for the second and $50 fol
the third and subsequent years service
The chief is raised from $50 TO $75 s
tmonth. No fees, are allowed, as now
but these are to be turned int0, the CIT.
Treasury
Aid. Leonard asked where the saw
ing of 81, 500 year as compared will
the present charter was to come in.
Aid. Taylor laughingly remarked
that he guessed that the saving wa
intended to be made On, the aldermen
Mayor Petersen said that the police
force would get $3.50 year more thai
lit does now, If the new charter wa
ladopted.
Aid Heinze replied: 1.-THE LORI
knows that the police are not gettine
any too much.
Another point that the aldermen dit
iaot relish was the provision that n
Especial meeting could be- called with
twenty hours of the meeting. Til
mayor said that this was bad feature
|, as it was sometimes necessary to NEE
the same day that matter come
up.
: The city attorney held that if all tn
!. aldermen were present and consented
no question could be raised as to tn
legality of their acts, even though tn
meeting was called within twent
hours.
The charter gives the mayor powe
to compel the attendance of abser
members of the council.
The board Of public works reporte
favorably upon the laying of sewe
4 on Walnut street from Fifth to Sixt
4 and estimared the cost at $125, all {
t which can be assessed upon the pre-
l perty benefited. The matter was re
9 ferred back to the board to secul
4 bids.
. The city recorder reported that tt
8 Milwaukee road had paid the city til
$500 agreed upon..for right of way ovt
the pump station lots, and that
had placed the money in the sinkin
: fund for the reason that bonds ha
: been issued for the purchase of Il
u lots.
3 After talking the matter over, IL
i council concluded that it could spal
S., 200 from the current fund betwee
II IL OoooIo. .o44Io..oo,