The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-02-18

HICAGO,S Feb. 16.-Clvic life has
teemed with history-making
0 events this week. Chief in i'm
portance, by reason of its great scope
and far-reaehing character, is the deci-.
sion of the supreme court that. the CHI
cago charter amendment act is constltu-
tional. This will result in the estab-
lishment of twenty-five municipal
courts, to be presided over by twenty
five Judges, each receiving salary of
$4,000, and the creation of the office OF
chief justice at a salary OF $',ooo a
year. These courts will have Jurlsdlc-
ton over cases of all character, the
limit of jurisdiction in civil cases being
$1,000. Justice courts are abolished by
this act. s. -
All parks shall be consolidated under
the control Of one park commission, the
members of which shall be appointed by
the mayor. H. - .@
The city shall be empowered to own
and operate gas and electric lighting
plants. - ....s,-,
The length of the mayor Is term is IN,
creased to four years. .,- -
The Office of city attorney is abol
to that office come under the direction
of the corporation counsel. 49,.
The chairman of the finance commit
tee Of the city council be paid yearly
salary of $4,000. ~.'
The work Of the charter convention
has been held in allegiance pending the
decision and the convention. will 60 tt
work at once on complete revision Of
the city charter.
The first council brush in the matte
of higher saloon license fees and it.
pendent proposition, increased polic
protection, was indecisive, but greatl,,
encouraged the advocates of the $1,00
fee, as they mustered a number NOR
votes than they had been able to coun
on with certainty. The test vote cam
on the minority report of the icens
committee that provided for 5000 fee
this was lost by one vote, and the sam
vote the $1,000 advocates were unabl
to secure vote on the majority report
The latter will come up at zthe mex
council meeting and the aldermani
primaries being over the high icens
advocates think they will be aBls1Stp 81
cure the few additional votes needed t
insure their success. -&eGSo re- 8.
The council meeting received an
over-ruled the mayor s veto ons SO: Ger
gas, so the new gas rate will Be- effe
tive from Feb. l. The. mayors vet
was based on the refusal Of the gas con
pany to provide free gas: for lstFe,
lamps, pay 10 per cent of gross receip
to the city as compensation; pay for Il
inspection Of meters, provide an amen
ment blocking the consolidation. of ii
gas companies and restore the Hforfei
b ure clause, Of the. Ogden Gas company I
prevent that company from selling %
to the Peoples company. !: %.s - D.
The telephone company lost. this we,
long-pending suit and is restrain
from collecting tolls for city service
the territory annexed since it receiv
its franchise and also from charging
excess of 1925 for business phones
the ground of improved service.
The nomination Of thirty-six aid
men will be accomplished on Saturd
under a new primary system that, VIII
1t is regarded as inadequate by exper
Is expected to prove some improveme
over the old caucus method. This is
time Of great activity at the Munich
Voters league, for since the final d.
for fling petitions, Jan. 20, Secret;
George Skies and his subordinates, ai(