The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-06-26

cities. He thought that the charte
icould be prepared by one or two persons
as mistakes occur where the work is di
vided among too many.
Judge Severance did not think tina
any attorney in the commission could re
ceive any compensation for work On thu
charter.
Messrs. Young and Schmitt disagreed
with this.
Mr.. Petersen said that somebody
should be compensated for doing the
work. In the past, members of the com
mission have done the work, but ii
should be done by an attorney, although
the trouble in this is that the other mem
bers drop out and will not attend the
meetings. The members should be re-
gular in attendance and watch every
move made. He said that he intended to
do this. 1t was necessary that the COM
mission should see that the ATTORNEYS do
the work
Judge Severance suggested that the
attorneys should draw up two or three
subjects and then have a meeting of
the commission.
MIR. Currier asked whether the pres
|ent charter has not been found to be
constitutional and upheld by the courts.
MIR. Young replied that no part of it had
ever been found unconstitutional. Mr..
Currier said that he had talked with
many people and had found the general
feeling to be that the old charter should
be taken up and the weak points strength
ened and then submitted, rather than
have an entirely new charter.
Mr.. Young said that it was doubtful
whether a piece of land could be con-
demned under the present charter. Mr..
Currier replied that this was one of
the points that needed Strengthening
Another ward might also be provided
for. Mr.. Young said that this had
proved weak point in the new charter
last fall.
Mr.. Schmitt said that abolishing of the
board of public works had caused much
opposition.
Mr.. Long said that if the people get
the idea that it is practically a new
charter they may be opposed to it,
while it would carry if they thought
that it was the old charter strengthened
Radical changes like abolishing the board
of public works or changing the ward
boundaries will cause opposition.
Judge Severance said that it was not
so much the people who were opposed
to the change as are certain men who
want to hold office forever and who fool
the people about the need of making
no change.
s Mr.. Currier thought that the new char
ter should provide for taking care of
the floating debt.
DR.. Andrews moved that the chair ap-
point committee of three to interview
the council in reference to the calling of
special election and also to ascertain
what the council will do in the matter of
the expenses of preparing charter.
This was carried and DR.. Andrews and
Messrs. Young and Schmitt were nam
ed as the committee. They will meet
with the members of the council to-
night.
Mr.. Young asked whether the people
want new charter.
Mr.. Currier thought that there was no
general desire for one, beyond few
amendments to the present one
Mr.. Young asked what the detects in
the present one are.
Mr.. Currier replied that they are the
absence of provision for the payment
of assessments for local improvements in
installments over a series of years,
the absence of provision for erecting a
municipal lighting plant, weakness of
the condemnation section, and the alb
sence of provision for tie vote in the
council.
Mr.. Young asked whether the COM
mission wanted to make a charter by
which the council can force public i'm
provements.
Dr. Andrews said that hundreds of peo-
pie would favor local improvements if
they could pay for them in installments
Mr.. Currier said that personally he
was opposed to it.,
Judge Severance said that one objec.
ton to the present charter is that people
cannot pay for improvements in Install
ments until after judgment has been
taken, and then the interest is twelve
per cent, which is usurious. There would
b. much less objection to public improve
ments if they could be paid for in five
instalments, with reasonable interest
This ought to be remedied in the new
charter.
Mr.. Peterson said that most of oul
citizens are in favor of improving AND
paving the streets, if they are given time
IN which to make the payments. Mason
City Iowa allows seven wears at six