Year: 1879

patty ec-AASue'


SIXTH WARD LEvEE.


Aid. Rhodes then called up the Sixth ward
levee improvement. He read a bill
amending the former act of 1876 and pro-
viding for the work to be done in the same
manner as other street Improvements.


Aid. Sanborn took exception to that section
of the bill providing for the payment of the
work out of the local fund, or revolving fund.-


Senator Giltllan favored the insertion OF
provision that the payment should be derived
from the land benefited. Under all circum-
stances he opposed the city assuming the debt
accruing from the expenses of the improve
ment; he wanted the contractors to look to the
property benefited, and not to the city for pay
ment.


Aid. Grace couldn't see the use of building
levee at all. He knew that the water would
sap under the levee and reach the river level
in the fat, no matter how much of levee was
built.


Mr.. Mead came in from his tea party and was
rapturously welcomed.


Mr.. Gilfllaa was anxious to know what OBJ
lection there was to his prUviso in the bill, that
the city shouldn't assume the debt, etc.


MIR. Murray explained that this would
necessitate the alteration of the
whole machinery of assessments, etc.,
under the law at present; if the assessment
were not paid, the city would take possession
of the property, and assessment sales were
popular;
something about the value of West st. Paul
property. He believed very few could be
found who would take West St. Paul certiti-
Gates. He thought much Of the property
under the assessment would be
forfeited, and the city would have to carryit
thus paying at least one-half of the cost of
the improvement. He favored such a proviso
as suggested by Senator Gilfllan. The con-
tractors for the work should be made to agree
90 &,1- ! f,,co: Id


Mr.. Murray favored the improvement. He
believed it was necessary for protection to life
and property over there, and would enhance
the value Of all property in the Sixth ward.


On motion Of Aid. Rhodes the proposed bill
was referred to the Ramsey county delegation
to take such action as they saw fit.


THE CITY ENGINEER.


Aid. Rhodes then called up the matter of the
election OF the city englneer-Whether the
council or board of public works should elect
him. He committee of the chamber of
commerce present, and asked for their views,
as already the chamber had expressed opposi-
tion to any change on his, the city engineer 8
mode of election.


Gen. J. B. Sanborn, from the chamber of
commerce. said the matter had been briefly
discussed in the chamber. The conclusion
reached there, with but dissenting vote,
was that no change was desirable. He believed
the election as now provided for by the board
OF public works, was best. They could be
trusted, and it was deemed safer to leave the
election of so important an official to three
men than to larger number. Gen. SanbOrn
then observed that the people were generally
we'll satisfied with the present mode. In this
connection he made reference to the expendi-
ture and mismanagement under the old system,
all of which had been altered for the better
under the present method.


MIR. W. l.. Wilson spoke to the same import.
He believed the board should elect the engineer
They, the board, were selected for their fitness
for the work, and were wholly separated from
politics.


AID Rhodes stated that the objections were
not so much as to Mr.. Sewalrs ability, as his
continued and marked discourtesy to the coun-
Gil. The object of the change was to have him
under the control of the council, as all work he
did emanated from the council. Frequently
the council had passed ORDERS which he had
wholly ignored or pigeon-holed. This dis
courteous conduct was frequently repeated.
In all probability the council would re-elect
him if the change of law were made. Nothing
was said against his ability or honesty, but he
was persistently and provokingly discourteous
Ald' Allen agreed with the previous speaker.
The council was held responsible, directed the
work, made the Disbursements and should
have control of TIE engineer. The
alderman claimed he had first made the
proposition to change the manner of
electing the city engineer at the suggestion of



in addition wanted the street commissioners
to be appointed by the council. The alder
man thought the council had and would look
out for the interests of the city. Then the
alderman had few words to say in regard to
the action of the chamber of comm cree. When
ne ne had read the resolution to fight
the councils recommendation with
the Ramsey county delegation, he
confessed that his Ebenezer rather
rose up. He didn't believe in bulldozing.
Taking up MIR. Sewall again, the alderman said
he was working aG other things, bridge build
ing at Shakopee and elsewhere. Furthermore
he neglected his duty, excepting in the way of
promptly drawing his salary. As to the board,
they were only three, couldn't and didn't see
as much as all the aldermen, interested in their
respective wards. He closed by strongly urging
the change.


Mayor Dawson believed it would be better in
the end to abolish the board, and select one
from the council itself. He had seen the opera
tions of the board, when the city engineer was
an elective officer; he would pay no attention
to the board. If the engineer were elected by
the council, the same relations might arise be-
tween the engineer and the board who were SO
closely allied in business.


Aid. Allen-"It was Gen. Becker of the board
who asked that the engineer be elected by the
council, as we'll as street Inspectors


Mayor Dawson remarked that Gen. Becker
hadn't likely given the matter much reflection.
He had been absent from the boards work very
frequently, and the work was done by Mr.
Timme and Rice.


Mi. Murray, in speaking of Mr.. SewalIs dis
courteous manner, said that Mr.. Sewal was a
most excellent officer. And the consolation was
that he treated everybody alike daughter.
Aid Rhodes thought a compromise might be
effected, in justice to both the board and coun-
Gil that the former elect him, and the latter
body confirm the engineers election


Mayor Dawson said the council had power
over the engineer. They could cut off his sal
ary. The law said it could not be over $4,000.
but nothing was said how little it might be.
If he didn't suit he could be made to step
down and out by cutting down his salary.


Aid. Sanborn was the only alderman who
opposed change in the way of electing the
city engineer. He believed the business and
official relations between the city engineer and
should not be severed. If the complaint was
that he did not obey the council because not |
elected by the council, wouldn't the reverse
hold good if the board did not elect him.


After Mr.. Sewall had been thoroughly yen
tilated the discussion was brought to an end
on a motion by Aid. Rhodes to refer the bill |
to the legislative delegation for them to act as
they pleased.


THE NEW MARKET HOUSE.


The proposition to build a new market house
and legislation to secure SAC, 900 bonds to nav
The cost of erection next came up


Aid. Allen favored it, and wanted the dele
gates instructed to draw up u bill to this end.
Considerable opposition arose to building