The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1909-04-16
DRAFT THE CITY LAW
CHARTER COMMISSION BEGINS ITS
WORK IN EARNEST.
Franchises, After Being Passed BY the
Council, Shall Be Submitted to a
Vote of the People; Public Invited
TO Be Present at the Next Session
and Offer Suggestions; Bring Your
Ideas in Writing.

From Tuesdays Daily
The charter commission held meet
inc last night and took up the work
of preparing charter i'll earnest, anu
considerable progress was made.
large section of the new charter had
been prepared by Attorney Daley.
adopting the best features of the Des
Moincs and other charters under the
commission system and the Duluth
charter and in the main it was APP
proved by the commission.
Mr.. Daley explained that the mum-
cipal court bill as passed by the two
houses of the legislature had left out
the main point involved. which was
TO make the election of Judge non
partisan, and that it would have to
bc amended before going to the COVER
nor. and that this would be done. The
bill increases the term of the munich
pal Judge to four years. after the pres
ent term. and the first election will
take place in 1911, and every four
years thereafter.
Name and City Boundaries.
The chapters of the new charter pass
ed upon last night were those relating
to the name and boundaries of the
city, the elective offices, the elections
and the duties of the elective officers,
the appointiye offices, the recall and
referendum. etc.
The ward boundaries will be estab-
lished by City Engineer Wilson, as
there seems to be some question
whether the present charter correctly
defines them.
1t was decided to have city prop
rety free from taxation except as to
special assessments. If public i'm
provement is assessed on the property,
the city must pay for the improve
ment i'll front of its property.
Voting Precincts Left Untouched
1t was decided to leave the voting
precincts as at present All of the
present ordinances must be continued
until amended or repealed by the
mayor and council. The time for hold
ing the general elections was left as
now, but the primary election will
come closer to- the general election,
only eight days intervening between
the two.
\ mayor and four aldermen will be
elected TO serve two years. the two
candidates receiving the highest mum
Der OF votes for mayor and the eight
receiving the highest number for alder
men at the primary election going on
the ballots at the general election.
The official year will remain as at
present, beginning on the second Tues
day in April following the election
The mayor and aldermen. besides
their duties as such, will also be super
intendent of the following depart
ments: |. Public health. sanitation
and general welfare: 2. accounts and
finance; ;, parks, public grounds and
fire projections; 4. waterworks and
sewers: >. streets and alleys. 1t was
thought that the one having the ac-
counts and finance could be the city
treasurer.
Elect Clerk and Other Officials.
he mayor and council shall elect a
city clerk, city attorney. assessor, treas
urer. city engineer, chief of police and
such other officials as are needed fol
the efficient conduct of city affairs.
Ordinances and franchises granting
rights OH the streets. after being passed
by the council, snail be submitted to q
vote OF the people provided a petition
signed by twenty-five per cent of the
voters demands it,
1t was decided to hold the next
meeting next Monday night and to in
Nite the public to be present and Offer
suggestions as to what ought to q
into the new charter. or what ought
not to 90 into it. the salaries of tn,
mayor and council, etc 1t is HOPED
that everybody having anything t,
offer will be present at this meeting
and also bring their thoughts in type
writing. as the commission will no
have time to hold any further publi
meetings, for great deal of work i
going to be involved in completing TIN
charter