BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS. 249 



have been impossible, under any other system, to have executed 

 in so satisfactory a manner the many and useful public vrorks 

 for which Chicago is famed. At the risk of introducing in this 

 place some very dry reading, a general synopsis of those parts 

 of the city charter which relate to the Chicago Board of Public 

 Works is here given. The whole may be found in a copy of 

 " Laws and Ordinances, Chicago, 1866." 



Sect. 1. Establishes a body known as the Chicago Board of 

 Public Works, to consist of (3) three members, chosen by the 

 people, one from each division of city. 



The first three chosen for one, two and three years ; after 

 that, one each year for three years. 



Sect. 2. Each member of board shall receive annual salary 

 of three thousand dollars (by Act of February, 1866) ; give 

 bonds for faithful discharge of duties ; pay over all moneys, pa- 

 pers, &c., at expiration of his term, or when ordered by city 

 council. 



Sect. 3. Board to elect president and treasurer, and make 

 by-laws. 



Sect. 4. Majority constitutes quorum ; records to be kept of 

 proceedings ; copies of all plans, estimates, &c., to be kept ; re- 

 port (annual,) to be rendered on or before each 

 year, or when required by city council. Each member author- 

 ized to administer legal oaths. 



Sect. 5. Board shall have special charge and superintend- 

 ence, subject to the laws and ordinances of city council, of all 

 streets, lanes, alleys, &c., in the city of Chicago, and of all 

 walks and crossings in the same, and of all bridges, docks, 

 wharves, public places, landings, grounds and parks in said city, 

 and of all halls, engine-houses and other public buildings in 

 the city belonging to city, except school-houses, and of the 

 erection of all public buildings ; of lamps and lights in streets, 

 &c., and in public buildings, and repairs of same ; of the harbor 

 works and improvements ; of the city sewers and drains and of 

 the water works ; of the fire-alarm telegraph, and all public 

 works and improvements hereafter to be commenced by the 

 city, as well as such other duties as may be prescribed by the 

 city council by ordinance. 



Sect. 6. All applications or propositions for improvements, 



32* 



