The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-01-30

The Joint legislative committee Of
councils met last night and prepared
the final rough draft of the amend
ments to the 'ripper" bill, but the
members are not at all sure that they
can get their amendments introduced
as they want them.
The committee decided upon an
amendment which will give the coun-
ellis power to elect a mayor till the next
election in case OF the death of that
official, The preseit bill provides that
the chairman of select council shall
serve until the next election in case OF
such II contingency.
An amendment was decided upon
striking out the clause giving the may
or power to remove his appointed
heads of departments without the con-
sent of select council and providing In
its stead clause making such con-
firmation by select council necessary
to an official removal by the mayor.
Another amendment dispenses with
the department of receiver of taxes
and sinking fund commission, leaving
the latter composed as at present of
the mayor, city controller aud city
treasurer. The duties Of the city
treasurer and receiver of taxes are also
combined in this amendment and the
office OF delinquent tax collector Great
ed, such official to be elected by Coun-
ellis and to have exclusive charge of the
collection Of all delinquent taxes.
MAYOR TO APPOINT.
An amendment was decided upon
unanimously after a deal Of discussion
and argument giving the mayor the
power to appoint the heads Of the
three departments of public safety. OF
public works and OF charities. Mr..
Keller wanted the city solicitor elected
by the people. but agreed to unite with
the rest in an amendment making this
office to be filled by councils. The rip
per" bill giveh the mayor power to ap-
/ point the city solicitor.
When the committee reached the
! long clause in the bill which provides
/ that all appointments in the various
! department shall he made under civil
| service system, Mr.. Roche suggested
/ an amendment that the rules and reg
ulations governing the examinations
! provided for in the bill be approved by
councils after their adoption by the
mayor and heads of department.
This brought the whole civil service
! question under discussion and Nv
! Clemons registered his disapproval OF
| it.
I'm opposed" said he. Ito the prac =
| teal application of the system I don
believe that any head OF a department
| in this city should be obliged to put up
with men under him who. by passing
| an examination, secure a cinch on II
job for life and whose purpose it, will
be TO do just as little work as possible
| He should have men under him who
will be able to work in harmony with
| him and who will realize that their
! job depends upon the way they hustle
| for the best interests of the depart
ment."
II agree with YOU" said Mr.. Chit
tenden. THE civil service plan is n
beautiful theory, but it don't work
when applied 10 practical conditions.
move that the committee decide upor
an amendment striking out this wholt
| civil service clause"
MOTION ADOPTED.
The motion was put and with ons
vioce the committee decided upon its
adoption. The committee started tc
argue about the election Of council.
men, but IL was finally decided tC
leave this as il Is in the bill Ar
amendment providing for the striking
out of the clause providing for only
two council meetings a year was
agreed upon.
City Solicitor Nosburg stated tha
he would advise the introduction nt
an amendment containing the list oI
the corporate powers of the city con
tanned in the general act OF governing
third class cities and such an amend
ment was agreed upon.
The amendments will be typewriter
and given into the possession OF sSena
tor Vaughan by Mr. Noshurg, wh'
goes tomorrow morning 10 Harris
burg TO attend a conference of tn,
city solicitors Of Pittsburg. Allegheny
and Scranton tomorrow night
Tho committee has no positive az
surance that the senator will intro
ducc all the amendments which the,
have decided upon. He has stated re
pcatedly that he VIII consider thei
suggestions carefully and will bl
guided as To what amendments /,
| introduce pdIllN ny lHeI views, ldrtl,
by the views of the citizens of tn,
city and partly by his own good judg
mcnt.
IT Is SIGNIFICANT.
There is something significant in III
committees decision to leave the pro
vision regarding the election of coun
cimen as 1t stands. Several pers IN
who are intimate with Senator Vau
CHAN say he has said that this section
is the one on which n compromise witt
Senator Finn can be arranged.
Senator Finn. they say. wants tn
members of councils to be elected a
they are at present in second elias
cities ana will agree to suppor
Scrantons amendments if the senate
can promise that an amendment vii
be adopted so changing thc bill a
to permit of this.