USA > Indiana > St Joseph County > A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 1 > Part 59
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97
1884 .- George W. Loughman. Mayor: B. B. Kimble, Clerk : John Roth, Treasurer : Thomas Hoban. Marshal : John Hagerty, City Attorney; William M. Whitten. Civil Engi- neer ; James Butler. Street Commissioner : N. P. Bowsher. William Mack. P. O'Brien. Water Works Trustees. Councilmen-First Ward. T. E. Knoblock and Sorden Lister: Second Ward, W. H. Longley and John Yant : Third Ward, Peter Makielski and Cornelius Hagerty : Fourth Ward. J. C. Dille and Mar- tin Hoban : Fifth Ward. N. J. Bernhard and W. S. Anderson.
1885 .- George W. Loughman, Mayor ; B. B. Kimble. Clerk : John Roth, . Treasurer: Thomas Hoban, Marshal : John Hagerty, City Attorney: William M. Whitten, Civil Engi- neer: James Butler, Street Commissioner :
John C. Birdsell, Sr., N. P. Bowsher, William Mack, Water Works Trustees. Couneilmen- First Ward, T. E. Knoblock and Sorden Lis- ter; Second Ward. Robert Harris and John Yant; Third Ward, Frank Kowalski and Cor- nelius Hagerty : Fourth Ward, J. C. Dille and Martin Hoban; Fifth Ward, A. J. Rudduek and W. S. Anderson.
1886 .- George W. Loughman, Mayor; B. B. Kimble, Clerk; John Roth. Treasurer ; Thomas IIoban, Marshal; Lucius Hubbard, City Attorney; William M. Whitten, Civil Engineer; James Butler, Street Commission- er; E. R. St. John, J. C. Birdsell, Sr., N. P. Bowsher, Water Works Trustees. Council- men-First Ward, T. E. Knoblock and M. R. Staley; Second Ward, Robert Harris and John Yant: Third Ward, Frank Kowalski and L. T. Stedman; Fourth Ward. J. C. Dille and Martin Hoban; Fifth Ward. A. J. Rud- duek and George II. Asire.
1887 .- George W. Loughman, Mayor; B. B. Kimble, Clerk; John Roth, Treasurer; Joseph Turnock, Marshal; Lucius Hubbard, City Attorney; William M. Whitten, Civil Engineer; James Butler, Street Commission- er : Alex. Staples, E. R. St. John, J. C. Bird- sell, Sr., Water Works Trustees. Councilmen -First Ward, M. R. Staley and P. O'Brien ; Second Ward, John Yant and David Stover; Third Ward. L. T. Stedman and Jacob Ja- nowski; Fourth Ward, M. Hoban and S. C. Lontz: Fifth Ward, George H. Asire and A. J. Rudduck.
1888 .- William HI. Longley, Mayor; David Casey. Clerk; John Wagener, Treasurer: L. T. Stover. Marshal : T. E. Howard, City At- torney; William M. Whitten, Civil Engineer : James Butler, Street Commissioner; Charles H. Pavey, Alex. Staples, E. R. St. John, Water Works Trustees. Couneilmen-First Ward. P. O'Brien and Henry F. Elbel ; Second Ward, David Stover and Hanford T. Roberts; Third Ward, Jacob Janowski and Adam Weaver; Fourth Ward. S. C. Lontz and Joseph E. Robert; Fifth Ward. A. J. Rudduck and Joseph E. Williams.
363
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
1889 .- William HI. Longley, Mayor; David ham, City Attorney; William M. Whitten, Casey, Clerk; John Wagener, Treasurer; L. Civil Engineer; A. Defrees, Street Commis- sioner; Chas. M. Collins, Chas. W. Clapp, Chas. Brehmer, Water Works Trustees. Councilmen-First Ward, J. B. Haberle and A. S. Ginz; Second Ward, James H. Roberts and M. J. Worrell; Third Ward, Fred Scha- fer and Jeremiah Hagerty; Fourth Ward. Addison MeNabb and J. Ed. Skillman ; Fifth Ward, Chris. Sieg and Thomas A. Kerr; Sixth Ward, Frank Gonsiorowski and V. Duszyn- ski; Seventh Ward, S. C. Schmidt and M. J. Roach. T. Stover, Marshal; T. E. Howard, City At- torney; William M. Whitten. Civil Engineer ; James Butler, Street Commissioner; R. L. Braunsdorf, Charles H. Pavey, Alex. Staples, Water Works Trustees. Councilmen-First Ward, Henry F. Elbel and A. S. Ginz, Second Ward. Hanford T. Roberts and Chris. Fass- nacht : Third Ward, Adam Weaver and Peter Makielski: Fourth Ward, Joseph E. Robert and J. F. Weiss : Fifth Ward, Joseph E. Wil- liams and Thomas A. Kerr.
1890 .- William H. Longley, Mayor; Cor- nelius Hunt, Clerk; John Wagener, Treas- urer; Lewis T. Stover, Marshal; T. E. How- ard. City Attorney; William M. Whitten, Civil Engineer: A. Defrees, Street Commis- sioner: Jonathan Mathews. Water Works Trustee. Couneilmen-First Ward, A. S. Ginz and Henry F. Elbel ; Second Ward, Chris. Fassnacht and Hanford T. Roberts; Third Ward. Alex. Rex and Jeremiah Hager- ty ; Fourth Ward. J. F. Weiss and John Tag- gart : Fifth Ward. Thomas A. Kerr and George Kerner: Sixth Ward, Peter Makielski and Chas. V. Korpal : Seventh Ward. Joseph E. Robert and M. J. Roach.
1891 .- William II. Longley. Mayor; Cor- nelius Hunt. Clerk: John Wagener, Treas- urer: Lewis T. Stover. Marshal: T. E. How- ard. City Attorney: William M. Whitten, Civil Engineer: A. Defrees, Street Commis- sioner: S. L. Brubaker, R. L. Braunsdorf, Charles Pavey. Water Works Trustees. Councilmen-First Ward, A. S. Ginz and IIenry F. Elbel: Second Ward, M. J. Wor- rell and Hanford T. Roberts: Third Ward, Jeremiah Hagerty and Fred Schafer; Fourth Ward, John F. Weiss and John Taggart ; Fifth Ward, Thomas A. Kerr and George Kerner; Sixth Ward. Valentine Duszynski and Chas. V. Korpal; Seventh Ward, M. J. Roach and Joseph E. Robert.
1892 .- David R. Leeper, Mayor; Louis A. Hull, Clerk : Will A. Rutherford. Treasurer ; Benjamin H. Rose, Marshal : O. M. Cunning-
1893 .- David R. Leeper, Mayor; Louis A. Hull, Clerk; Will A. Rutherford, Treasurer ; Benjamin H. Rose, Marshal; Joseph G. Orr, City Attorney: William M. Whitten, Civil Engineer ; A. Defrees, Street Commissioner ; Chas. M. Collins, Chas. W. Clapp, Chas. Breh- mer, Water Works Trustees. Councilmen- First Ward, J. B. Haberle and A. S. Ginz: Second Ward. James H. Roberts and W. B. Russell; Third Ward, Fred Schafer and Jeremiah Hagerty; Fourth Ward, Addison McNabb and J. Ed. Skillman; Fifth Ward, Chris. Sieg and Thomas A. Kerr; Sixth Ward. Frank Gonsiorowski and Anton Bilin- ski; Seventh Ward, S. C. Schmidt and M. J. Roach.
1894 .- David B. J. Schafer, Mayor; Louis A. Hull, Clerk; Will A. Rutherford, Treas- urer; Wilbert Ward, City Attorney: Dr. C. Stoltz, Ilealth Officer; William M. Whitten, Civil Engineer; John Yant, Street Commis- sioner; Otto M. Knoblock, Chas. M. Collins. Chas. W. Clapp, Water Works Trustees. Councilmen-First Ward, Isaiah HI. Unruh and J. B. Haberle : Second Ward, Marcus W. Doolittle and James II. Roberts : Third Ward. Peter B. Johnson and Fred Schafer; Fourth Ward, J. Ed. Skillman and Addison MeNabb : Fifth Ward, Albert G. Harlin and Chris. Sieg; Sixth Ward, Anton Bilinski and Frank Gonsiorowski; Seventh Ward, Patrick A. Joyce and S. C. Schmidt.
1895 .- D. B. J. Sehafer, Mayor; Louis A. ITull, City Clerk; Wm. A. Rutherford, Treas-
364
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
urer; Wilbert Ward, City Attorney; Dr. C. Stoltz, Health Officer; Wm. M. Whitten, City Engineer; John Yant, Street Commissioner ; Otto M. Knobloek, Chas. M. Collins, Chas. W. Clapp, Water Works Trustees. Councilmen -First Ward, J. B. Haberle and I. H. Un- ruh ; Second Ward, J. H. Roberts and F. W. Doolittle; Third Ward, Fred Schafer and P. B. Johnson; Fourth Ward, A. MeNabb and J. Ed. Skillman ; Fifth Ward, Chris. Sieg and A. G. Harlin; Sixth Ward, Anton Bilinski and F. Gonsiorowski; Seventh Ward, S. C. Schmidt and Patrick Joyce.
1896 .- D. B. J. Schafer, Mayor; Louis A. Hull, City Clerk; Wm. A. Rutherford, Treas- urer; Wilbert Ward, City Attorney: Dr. C. Stoltz, Health Officer; Wm. M. Whitten, City Engineer; John Yant, Street Commissioner ; John T. Kelley, Samuel C. Lontz, Wesley Hill, Water Works Trustees. Councilmen- First Ward, Sorden Lister and Isaiah H. Un- ruh ; Second Ward, Thomas V. Evans and Marcus W. Doolittle: Third Ward, Henry Hartzer and Peter B. Johnson ; Fourth Ward, Patrick Joyce and J. Edward Skillman ; Fifth Ward, Henry C. Morgan and Albert G. Har- lin; Sixth Ward, Martin Zielinski and Anton Bilinski; Seventh Ward. John W. Fites and William Kingsley.
1897 .- D. B. J. Schafer, Mayor; Louis A. Hull, City Clerk ; Wm. A. Rutherford, Treas- urer; Wilbert Ward, City Attorney; Dr. C. Stoltz, Health Officer; Wm. H. Rosencrans. City Engineer; John Yant, Street Commis- sioner; S. W. Hill, John T. Kelley, F. . V. Krzeszewski, Water Works Trustees. Coun- cilmen-First Ward, Sorden Lister and Isaiah H. Unruh; Second Ward. Thomas V. Evans and Marcus W. Doolittle; Third Ward, Henry Hartzer and Peter B. Johnson ; Fourth Ward, Patrick Joyce and J. Edward Skillman ; Fifth Ward, Henry C. Morgan and Albert G. Harlin; Sixth Ward, Martin Zielinski and Anton Bilinski : Seventh Ward, John W. Fites and William Kingsley.
1898 .- Schuyler Colfax, Mayor; Louis A. Hull, City Clerk ; Wm. A. Rutherford, Treas-
urer; O. M. Cunningham, City Attorney ; Wm. H. Rosencrans, City Engineer ; John P. Butler, Street Commissioner ; John T. Kelley, John F. Irvin, F. V. Krzeszewski, Water Works Trustees; Schuyler Colfax, J. C. Sto- ver, Dr. H. A. Fink, Board of Health. Coun- cilmen-First Ward, Sorden Lister and John Beyrer; Second Ward, Thomas V. Evans and George A. Knoblock; Third Ward, Henry Hartzer and Frank Essex; Fourth Ward, William Schermann and P. A. Joyce; Fifth Ward, Henry C. Morgan and James N. Thumm; Sixth Ward, Martin Zielinski and Peter Koczorowski; Seventh Ward, J. W. Fites and W. H. Kingsley.
1899 .- Schuyler Colfax, Mayor; Louis A. Hull, City Clerk ; Wm. A. Rutherford, Treas- urer; O. M. Cunningham, City Attorney ; Wm. H. Rosencrans, City Engineer; John P. Butler, Street Commissioner; F. V. Krzeszewski, John F. Irvin, William Tur- nock, Water Works Trustees; Schuyler Col- fax, J. C. Stover, Dr. H. A. Fink, Board of Health. Councilmen-First Ward, Sorden Lister and John Beyrer; Second Ward, Thomas V. Evans and George A. Knoblock ; Third Ward, Henry Hartzer and Frank Es- sex ; Fourth Ward, William Schermann and P. A. Joyce: Fifth Ward, Henry C. Morgan and James N. Thumm; Sixth Ward, Martin Zielinski and Peter Koczorowski; Seventh Ward, J. W. Fites and W. H. Kingsley.
1900 .- Schuyler Colfax. Mayor; Louis A. Hull, City Clerk : Wm. A. Rutherford, Treas- urer ; O. M. Cunningham, City Attorney : John F. Meighan, City Engineer; John P. Butler, Street Commissioner ; Dr. H. A. Fink, Health Officer: John F. Irvin. William Tur- nock, Marshel Hughes, Water Works Trus- tees. Councilmen-First Ward, John Beyrer and IIenry F. Elbel: Second Ward, George A. Knoblock and Hugh T. Montgomery ; Third Ward, Frank Essex and J. Henry Hartzer ; Fourth Ward, P. A. Joyee and Gustav A. Stueckle: Fifth Ward, James N. Thumm and James H. Longhman; Sixth Ward, Peter
365
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
Koezorowski and Leo M. Kucharski; Seventh Ward, W. H. Kingsley and M. J. Somers.
1901 .- Schuyler Colfax, Mayor; Louis A. ITull, City Clerk ; Wm. A. Rutherford, Treas- urer; E. P. Stanfield, Comptroller; Wilbert Ward, City Attorney ; Alonzo J. Hammond, City Engineer; John G. Barker, Park Super- intendent; J. W. Fites, Street Commissioner ; Charles M. Butterworth, M. D., Health Com- missioner; Arthur L. Hubbard, Samuel Lee- per, Charles L. Goetz, Board of Public Works; R. Orchard Cotton, George W. Fea- ser, Andrew J. Ward. Board of Public Safety; Peter Kline, Superintendent of Police: Irving W. Sibrel. Chief of Fire De- partment; A. G. Bailey, Sealer of Weights and Measures ; William L. Benitz, City Elec- trician. Councilmen - First Ward, John Beyrer and Henry F. Elbel; Second Ward, George A. Knoblock and H. T. Montgomery ; Third Ward, Frank Essex and J. Henry Hartzer; Fourth Ward, P. A. Joyee and Gus- tav A. Stueckle; Fifth Ward, James N. Thumm and James H. Loughman; Sixth Ward, Peter Koczorowski and Leo M. Kuchar- ski : Seventh Ward, W. H. Kingsley and M. J. Somers.
1902 .- Edward J. Fogarty. Mayor; Nelson H. Kyser, City Clerk; George G. Feldman, Judge City Court. Councilmen-First Ward, Henry F. Elbel; Second Ward. Dr. H. T. Montgomery; Third Ward. J. Henry Hart- zer: Fourth Ward, Gustav A. Stueckle : Fifth Ward, James H. Loughman; Sixth Ward, Leo M. Kucharski; Seventh Ward, Mitchell J. Somers; John C. Schreyer, George N. Whiteman, Peter Koczorowski, At Large.
Department of Finance-Fred W. Martin, City Comptroller; George J. Martin, Deputy City Comptroller.
Department of Law-Benjamin F. Shively, City Attorney.
Department of Public Works-William A. McInerny, President: John W. Papczynski, Edwin Nicar, Nelson H. Kyser, Clerk; Har- vey F. Rostiser, Deputy Clerk.
Water Works-George W. Shock, Superin- tendent.
Engineering-Alonzo J. Hammond, City Engineer.
Streets and Alleys-John P. Butler, Street Commissioner.
Parks-John G. Barker, Superintendent.
Cemetery-James D. Gillis, Sexton.
Department of Health and Charities-Dr. D. W. MeNamara, Commissioner.
Plumbing Inspector-Fred P. Futter.
Department of Public Safety-Robert Codd, President; J. T. Niezgodzki, H. A. Lundy.
Police Department-James McWeeny, Su- perintendent.
Fire Department-Wilfrid Grant, Chief.
Weights and Measures-John T. Willett, Sealer.
Electrician-William E. Williams.
1903 .- Edward J. Fogarty, Mayor; Nelson H. Kyser, City Clerk; George G. Feldman, Judge City Court. Councilmen-First Ward, Henry F. Elbel; Second Ward, Dr. H. T. Montgomery; Third Ward, J. Henry Hartz- er; Fourth Ward, Gustav A. Stueckle; Fifth Ward, James H. Loughman; Sixth Ward, Leo M. Kucharski; Seventh Ward, Mitchell J. Somers; John C. Schreyer, George N. Whiteman, Peter Koczorowski, At Large.
Department of Finance-Fred W. Martin, City Comptroller; George J. Martin, Deputy City Comptroller.
Department of Law-Frank H. Dunnahoo, City Attorney.
Department of Public Works-William A. McInerny, President; John W. Papczynski, Edwin Nicar, Nelson H. Kyser, Clerk; Har- vey F. Rostiser, Deputy Clerk.
Water Works-George W. Shock, Superin- tendent.
Engineering-Alonzo J. Hammond, City Engineer.
Streets and Alleys-John P. Butler, Strect Commissioner.
Parks-John G. Barker, Superintendent. Cemetery-James D. Gillis, Sexton.
366
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
Department of Health and Charities-Dr. D. W. McNamara, Commissioner.
Plumbing Inspector-Fred P. Futter.
Department of Public Safety - Robert Codd, President; J. T. Niezgodzki, H. A. Lundy.
Police Department-James McWeeny, Su- perintendent.
Fire Department-Wilfrid Grant, Chief.
Weights and Measures-John T. Willett, Sealer.
Electrician-William E. Williams.
1904 .- Edward J. Fogarty, Mayor; Nelson II. Kyser, City Clerk; George G. Feldman, Judge City Court. Councilmen-First Ward, Albert P. Sibley; Second Ward, Marion S. Gorski; Third Ward, Albert Bernhard ; Fourth Ward, Gustav A. Stueckle: Fifth Ward, Charles G. Folsom ; Sixth Ward, Peter Koczorowski; Seventh Ward, Charles E. Maurer; George N. Whiteman, Jacob E. Kuntz, Casimir Woltman, At Large.
Department of Finance-Fred W. Martin. City Comptroller; George J. Martin, Deputy City Comptroller.
Department of Law-Frank H. Dunnahoo, City Attorney.
Department of Public Works-William A. McInerny, President; John W. Papczynski, Edwin Nicar, Nelson H. Kyser, Clerk; Har- vey F. Rostiser, Deputy Clerk.
Water Works-Fred Schafer, Superintend- ent.
Engineering-Alonzo J. Hammond, City Engineer.
Streets and Alleys-John P. Butler, Street Commissioner.
Parks-Herman H. Beyer, Superintendent. Cemetery-James D. Gillis, Sexton.
Department of Health and Charities-Dr. D. W. McNamara, Commissioner.
Plumbing Inspector-Fred P. Futter.
Department of Public Safety-Robert C'odd, President; J. T. Niezgodski, H. A. Lundy.
Police Department-James McWeeny, Su- perintendent.
Fire Department-Wilfrid Grant, Chief.
Weights and Measures-John T. Willett, Sealer.
Electrician-William E. Williams.
For the years 1905, 1906 and 1907, the officers were the same as for 1904, with the following exceptions : Councilmen-First Ward, Frank Rogers; Second Ward, Frank S. Hosinski; Seventh Ward. Herman Lang: Second. at large, John A. Hans; Third, at large, Adam Zell. By the Municipal Code of 1905 the name of the office of Comptroller was changed to Controller.
Sec. 2 .- GROWTH .- WARDS .- POPULATION. -When the city of South Bend was organ- ized. in 1865, it was divided into three wards, and these continued unchanged for two years. In 1867, Lowell, an unincorporated town on the east side of the St. Joseph river, was an- nexed to the city and designated as the Fourth Ward. Although additions continued to be made to the city from time to time, yet there was no further change in the wards until 1874, when a large extent of territory having been taken in, on the south and east sides of the city, the Fifth Ward was created. In 1890, there was a rearrangement of the wards, by reason of unequal growth in different sec- tions; and the city was then divided into seven wards, by dividing the fourth into two wards, the Fourth and the Seventh, and creat- ing the Sixth Ward in the southwest part of the city. In 1892, the incorporated town of Myler, lying south of and adjoining South Bend, was united to the city, by the votes of a majority of those voting on the subject, in the city and the town. at an election held in both corporations on May the third of that year. There was some litigation resulting from the act of union, but the supreme court held that the union had taken place according to law." The territory of Myler was attached to the existing wards of the city, without in- creasing their number. In 1896, the wards were once more rearranged, but not increased
a. See the City of South Bend against Lewis, 138 Ind. 512.
367
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
in number. The east side of the river was again made one ward: while the old town of Myler, together with other territory on the south side of the city, was made the Seventh Ward. There has been no further change, except as the wards have been added to from time to time, by annexation of adjacent terri- tory to the city. Up to the time of the adop- tion of the Special Charter of 1901, the wards of the city of South Bend, like those of all other cities of the state, were represented by two councilmen each, one elected every other year; but since the adoption of the charter, and also under the present Municipal Code, each ward has been represented by one coun- cilman only, while three additional council- men have been elected by the city at large. The purpose of this change was, undoubtedly, to diminish the importance and power of the wards, as separate divisions of the city ; while the election . of three councilmen at large would secure an elevation in the character of the council, give the city, as a whole, direct representation in the legislative body, and would, almost certainly, result in the election of a majority of the council who should be in sympathy with the views of the mayor and other executive officers of the government. Effectiveness and harmony of action have thus been given to the city government; while personal responsibility has been placed upon the single councilman from each ward, as well as upon the mayor and the heads of the sev- eral executive departments.
Not only since the organization of the city, but even from the original platting of the town, and the first organization of the town government, South Bend has grown steadily, in business, in civic development and in popu- lation. This growth has never been spas- modic, advancing one year and declining another. There never was a boom in business or population ; but always, through good re- port and evil report, through panic and pros- perity, an even, steady, irresistible advance, like the quiet flow of a noble river. The pop- ulation of South Bend, as taken at the dif-
ferent periods of the history of the town and city, is a good indication of this steady growth.
In 1831, when the original plat was record- ed. and the county seat was located at the new town, the population was 128: in 1840, it had increased to 728: in 1850. it was 1.652; in 1860, 3,833 ; in 1870, 7,206; in 1880, 13,392; in 1890, 21,819; and in 1900, 35,999. No esti- mate has placed the population in 1907 at less than 50,000; and the people have confi- dence that the census of 1910 will show the good city at the south bend of the St. Joseph to have more than 60,000 inhabitants. "At this point is a beautiful site for a town."
Sec. 3 .- THE SPECIAL CHARTER .- By an act approved March 8, 1901," South Bend was given a special charter, based upon the act of March 6, 1891,b granting a special charter to the city of Indianapolis. These charters em- bodied the principles of what has been called modern city government. The chief purpose was to separate the powers of government into the three departments,-legislative, adminis- trative and judicial,-after the plan adopted in the constitution of the United States and the several state constitutions.
The legislative, or law making, department was the common council; the administrative functions were confided to the mayor and the several officers and boards to be appointed by him; while the judicial department was placed in a court presided over by a city judge.
The principal advantage of this form of city government was to secure greater unity and independence in the government, and also greater responsibility and efficiency on the part of city officers. Under former laws the common council not only passed ordinances but practically controlled all departments of the city government. Such a system had proved sufficient for the wants of a primitive form of town and city government, when the population was small and it was easy for each
a. Acts, 1901, p. 198.
b. Acts, 1891, p. 137.
368
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
offieer to be acquainted with all the wants of the community. By degrees, however, various private and local interests began to have un- due influence upon the members of the eom- mon council; and as the membership was numerous, and each one particularly inter- ested in his own ward, the responsibility to the eity at large could not easily be fixed. In the new form the council was confined to its proper funetions,-the making of laws and ordinances; the responsibility of enforeing these laws and ordinances, as well as the general laws of the state, was placed in charge of the mayor and his appointees, while pun- ishment for the violation of the laws and ordinanees was entrusted to the city court, instead of, as formerly, to the mayor and his court. The new system gave entire satisfae- tion to the people of South Bend, as it did to the people of the other eities of the state where it was adopted.
Sec. 4 .- THE MUNICIPAL CODE .- So great an improvement were the special charters over the old municipal laws, that there came to be a desire on the part of the people of all the cities of the state to have a revised municipal code, according to which every city should have the benefit of the so-called charter form of government, so far as the system could be applied to each, making due allowance for dif- ference of population and other conditions. By means of a common code it was desired also, so far as possible, to do away with a vicious habit which had grown up of securing from the legislature the enactment of a multi- tude of special and local laws for the different cities, in plain violation of the spirit of the state constitution, though not perhaps of its letter.
Accordingly, by an act approved March 9, 1903," the legislature created a codifieation commission, to consist of the secretary of state and two other persons to be appointed by the governor, whose duty it should be to prepare for the aetion of the succeeding legislature a bill for a "compilation, revision and codifiea-
tion of the statute laws of the state of Indi- ana, concerning public, private and other cor- porations," as well as coneerning other sub- jects named in the act, if the commission should have time or deem it proper.
The most important "compilation, revision and codification" of the statutes eoneerning "public corporations" which suggested itself to the mind of this commission had relation to the chaotie condition of the laws for the government of the towns and cities of the state. The preparation of a municipal code was therefore begun very early in the time given the commission for its work; and at the opening of the legislative session for 1905, "A Bill for An Act Concerning Municipal Corpo- rations." as prepared by the commission, was laid before the general assembly. By an aet approved March 6. 1905,ยช this bill, with many modifications, some of them undoubtedly bene- ficial. and others, it is believed, injurious, finally became a law, placing all the towns and cities of the state, as classified, for the first time under a uniform code of laws.
Besides the towns, for which the simplest form of government is provided, there are five classes of cities. The cities of the fifth elass, those under ten thousand population, according to the last United States census, of which class Mishawaka is one, are governed with as few officers and at as moderate ex- pense as consistent with efficient government. Indianapolis is the only city of the first class, and in that class the system is most complete. Evansville and Fort Wayne are the only eities of the second class. South Bend and Terre Hante are the principal cities of the third class. As a city of the third class, under the code. the system of government does not greatly dif- fer from that under the special charter. Under the charter, and still more so under the municipal code, South Bend enjoys per- haps the best form of government that a city with its population and attendant eondi- tions could have. Under the eode, we have good government ; public improvements are a. Acts, 1905, pp. 219-410.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.