The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-08-30

to do this. In Its way 1t Is probably the most important piece of legislation passed at this session of the Legisia- ture. and those competent to form judgment upon the subject. are of the opinion that the bill reflects credit up- on the Legislature and especially upon the committee that labored so earn estly to prepare 1t.
 towns of the State upon a basis of pop ulation. To be called a "cfty" there must be 1000 inhabitants or more, and under this number it is merely a town. Those cities of more than 5000 inhabi- tants are in a different class from these 5000.
 The scheme of government provided by the bill in q general way Is very much like the form of municipal gov ernment that Montgomery now has. There are, however. some things ip the bill quite different from our present charter.
 The bill abolishes aldermen at large, and the President of the Council. in- stead of being elected by the Council, will be elected by the peoplesand will be in every sense of the word vice. mayor.
 Under the municipal bill the Mayors salary cannot be less than $2,500 and may be as large as $5.00O to be fixed by the Council. It is now s2.too per annuni.
 
 on the city in the matter of making a temporary loan. The city cannot. un- der its old charter, borrow more than $50,000 for temporary use. The Coun- ell will be permitted to designate a depository for the public funds.
 The Council may appoint a commits sion to control and manage the fire
 The license year win be from Janu- ary to January. At present the license year is from October to October.
 Provisions for Paving.
 The provisions of the general bill relating to street paving and improve ments are a decided departure from the present laws upon that subject. In- owners are given ten years within which to pay off the assessment for payment. By two-thirds vote of the Council; esa , street s may may De paved over
 The school board under the new bill has complete charge of all school prop erty. and shall have full and exclu- sive power. within the limits of the revenue appropriated for such purpose or aceruing to the use of the schools. to purchase fixtures, furnfure .appa- the use of the schools, and to sell the same. and to make expenditures for the maintenance and repair of the school ground. puiidfngs and, and other schools. when sites have been pro- vided by the City Council, and to su- perintend the erection thereof, to make additions, alterations, and repairs to the buildings and other property de- voted to school uses, and to make nec- essary and proper regulations, con- tracts and agreements in relation to such matters"
 At present the school board has none of the powers here enumerated.
 Police Communications Created
 The general bill provides a police commission to be composed of the Mayor and two other members to be elected by the people. The term of office of police commissioner will be four years.
 A City may also have board of pub lie works, not however, before this question has been submitted to a vote of the people, at a general municipal election. and haO received a majority of the votes cast at such election.
 This board will consist of four mem- bers and the Mayor of the city, and will have complete charge of the