Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1910-10-22
GALvEsroNs comssroN.
Ccontinued from Page ~

that the merit as well as defects arr
easily recognized by his associates
as well as by the public generally.
The mayor and commissioners are
directors in the full meaning of tbs
term. The detail work Is done by
the superintendent, heads of depart.
ments and clerks.
-Four City Departments.
The business of the icity is divided
into four departments, each depart
ment being under the charge and di-
rection of a commissioner. These
four commissioners and the mayor,
collectively, constitute what is
termed the Board of Commissioners
of the city of Galveston" The may
or is the president of the board and
the executive head of the city gov
ernment. He has all of the rights,
powers and duties conferred upon the
office of mayor by the constitution
and laws of the state, has the right
to vote upon all questions, but has
no veto power. Majority rule always
prevails.
The commissioners at the first
meeting after their election or as
soon thereafter as possible, by ma
jority vote, designate from among
their members one commissioner
who shall be known as commissions
er of finance and revenue " and un-
der whose direction is placed the Of
flces of the city assessor and col
lector, the city treasurer and city
auditor. He is also charged with the
duty of examining into and keeping
Informed as to the finances of the
city, and with the advice and assist
ance of the other members of the
board he prepares the annual budget
of the city. Great care is exercised
in preparing the city budget and 1t is
never exceeded in expenditures.
Another commissioner is designated
sewerage" He has under his special
charge the construction, maintenance
and operation of the waterworks and
sewer systems departments. The su-
perintendents of these two depart
ments and the joint secretary and all
employees are under the direction of
this commissioner.
Another commissioner is designated
commissioner of streets and public
He has under his special
charge the supervision Of all matters
relating to the streets, alleys and
belonging to the city, and
is charged with the duty of lighting
the streets, looking after street.
cleaning and sanitation. the super
vision of street paving, construction
Of drains. and seeing that the condi-
lions of the grant of public franchises
are complied with.
The city engineer and his assist
lnts, city health physician, superin-
endent of drays. health inspectors,
'ity sexton, sidewalk inspector and
I'll employees in these departments
ire under the direction Of this com
missioner. Bids must be advertised
or in every instance where the ex-
'enditure exceeds $500 and no bonds
an be issued without favorable
ote of the taxpayers.
The other, and fourth commits
ioner, is designated police and fire
commissioner. He has under his
pecial charge the enforcement of all
olice regulations and the general
upervision over the police and fire
apartments. The chief of police,
olice officers, chief of fire depart
lent and flremen and the Judge and ,
Jerk of the corporation court are
nder the direction of this commits
loner.
The city secretary and city attor-
ey are officers with which the {
layor-president is closely associated
nd are usually nominated by him.
II officers and employees are NOM ,
lated by the commissioners In
barge of the respective departments
nd are elected by majority vote Of ,
he entire board :
The mayor or any commissioner ,
an be removed from office for Of 1
cial misconduct. drunkenness or in
ompetenoy upon approved charge
lade before a district Judge.
Meetings OF Board.
The city charter requires that the |
oard shall meet in regular session
least once every week. These 7
leetings take place every Thursday (
fternoon at o'clock. These meet I
lgs are conducted in a dignified,
usinesslike manner. and are free
'om wrangling, disputes and con-
ision. The commissioners sit v
round directors table, the mayor q
residing. The city attorney and the I
eads of the various departments q
re required by the city charter TO
tend all meetings of the board. But 4