The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-04-12
Governor MarshaII's ProcIa-
nation Was Issued Satur-
day Putting the Acts Form
ally in Force.
THORNTON LAW WILL
BE TAKEN TO COURTS
New Street Improvement Act
Is So Obscure That This
Action Will Be Necessary
List of Laws.
Special Correspondent.

Special Correspondent.
Indianapolis, April Ex-Governor
Marshalfs proclamation, issued Sat
urday. putting into force the laws pass
ed by the legislature at the last SEES
sion, makes effective many changes in
the laws governing the management of
cities In the state. OF course, the
most important new law or, rather.
change In the old law, was made by the
Thornton law on street improvements.
I This new law has been frequently
written up and is by this time pretty
we'll understood by the various city
officials and the people throughout the
vtate, although suits will have to be
filed in the courts for the purpose of
having certain points OF the new law
construed and explained. This is par
ticularly true with reference to the
question of what effect the new law
has on improvements that were started
under the old law. It is the general
understanding that all such contracts
may be thrown up by the contractors
IL they see fit to do so, and this will
make it necessary for the cities to re-
advertise for bids and do the whole
business over again. However, this
and several other important questions
that have arisen in regard to the
Thornton law, will have to be inter
preted and construed by the courts be-
fore all parties will feel safe.
List Of New Laws.
last legislature. and which, were put
into effect by the governors proclama-
ton, are the following:
A town corporation may annex plat
ted territory adjoining the town by
adopting a resolution and filing it in
the office of the county recorder.
All resolutions passed by town
boards annexing territory are legalized
If adopted in good faith. Pending lit
fgation, however, is not affected.
In cities of the third class. the sal
airy of the city attorney shall not be
less than 81 GOO nor more than $500,
instead of from $500 to $1,000, as
formerly. In such cities the salary
of the city judge shall be 5000. but may
be increased as high as 81 800 by ordi-
nance.
Prosecutor Loses Fees.
The prosecutors fees for violations
of city ordinances, are hereafter to be
paid into the city treasury.
The salary Of the police judge in In
dianapolis is increased to $500 year,
and he is not allowed to practice law.
and he must hold court all day, the
same as any other court.
Public repositories are allowed to
give surety company bonds to secure
all deposits made by cities and towns.
In cities of the third class the office
of city judge is abolished unless retain
ed by ordinance Of the city council. The
office Of city treasurer is also abolish
ed in such cities, except in those that
own their water or electric light plants.
The county treasurer shall perform the
duties where the city treasurer's office
is abolished.
| In cities of the fourth class, the Of
flee of city judge may be abolished by
ordinance. and the duties shall be per-
formed by the mayor.
For Reelection Of Officers.
The reelection of city officers in ali
cities of less than 10000 population is
permitted.
Vacancies in the office of city judge
shall be filled by the governor.
The city clerk is removed from tie
line Of succession to the office of may
or in case of a vacancy.
In cities Of the fourth class there
shall be no board of public works or
city controller, except by ordinance CT
the council.
The only cities in which there shall
be a controller, are cities of the first
class tIndianapolis): sedond class. CIV
ansville. Terre Haute. South Bend and
Fort Wayne: such cities OF the third
class as establish the office by ordi-
nance of the council, and in fourth
class cities in which the council refuses
to abolish the office. The maximum
salary Of the controller in cities of the
fourth class shall be 81 800 year in
stead of 81 500.
Change in Cities Code.
Cities of the third class shall not
have board OF public works unless
one is created by ordinance. In cities
Of the fourth class, the mayor. the city
civil engineer and commissioner. ap
pointed by the mayor, shall constitute
the board OF public works. unless the
council by ordinance creates such
board. II such board is created the
salary Of each commissioner Is reduced
to 5000.
In cities Of third class the salary of
the city engineer may be from 81 200
to 81 500, instead Of fixed salary of
$500. as at present.
No reference ID made in the law to
salary for the city engineer In cities of
the NTH class.
City councils are given the power to
erect and maintain works for the col
lection and treatment OF sewage.
Where there ID no police board in
- &b.e R~.~~<h nloec The y,,arDr