, 1875-08-07
THE CITY CHATTER.

Our readers fully understand that the de-
cision of Chief Justice Lewis in the Seattle
case practically sbrogsres the city charter,
and leaves the authorities without power to
collect licenses OF enforce ordinances. This
Is the condition of affairs, and it is in the
last degree disgraceful that the members of
the city council, with q full knowledge Of
the facts, still cling to power and endeavor
to carry on the city affairs in disregard of
law. For thus nsurping authority and ebus-
ing their trusts the individual members rem
der themselves liable, and at the next term
Of the District Court it will become the duty
of the Prosecuting Attorney. under the law,
TO bring them before the grand jury. The
law provides full punishment for the abuse
of public trusts, and those who thus offend
should understand the risks they take The
plea made for this usurpatiOn is, that some
sort Of organization Is nectssary, and that
those who thus act are prompted by regard for
the public good. This is all sham, and ia only
fir III running the city IN an extravagant and
lawltss manner. 1t these parties desire in
form alton and wish TO govern The CITY in ac-
cOrdance with the organic aci, thy have
only 10 turn to the statues Of 1873. pages
5l7 and 5lS. they will n. re- find he act
providing for he incorporation of Por, Town
sud, and the mannrf In which The .fficul'y
III relation 10 ihe ciIy recVrd-r il overcome.
lns' ead of Il city couucil, Port Townsend is
governed by ii bnard Of trustees. Article 4
Of he law euumerates the powers of the
trustees, aud among the powers enumerated
is the following:
To appoint committing magistrate, who
shall b. one of the justices of the peace re-
siding within SAID Town, who's duty It shall
De to hear sH complaints of violations OF said
ordinances. and TO examine all parties arrest
ID hy the town marshal.
These trustees are also empowered TO ap-
poinr "a city marshal. who is TO receive the
same p Y allowed constables for similar ser
vicrs. Instead of being authorized 10 impose
special licenses, article ), section =. provides
as follows:
The treasurer of Jefferson county, W. T.,
shall pay over TO the clerk Of said school dis
trict, No l, twenty-five per cent. of all
moneys received by him after the passage OF
this act for licenses, which by existing or
subsequent laws ar OF may be required 10 be
paid iur me selling al retail of any spirItu-
Ous. malt, or feImrnted liquors within the
corporate limits of the town Of Port Town
send.
This law was passed at the late session Of
the legislature, and its very phraseolosy
shows that H. author understood that the
legislature had 40 right to create recorders
court, generally institute AN expensive
city government such as WaiIa Walla has
been Cursed with for the past twelve years
For the present our people will be content to
dispense with the services of city govern
ment, but when the legislature cOnvenes in
October measures should be taken to secure
new charter, modelled after the Port Town
send plan. An organization of this charac
ter need not involve an outlay to exceed
$1,000 pr aunum. bnt to keep the expendi-
turrs within This limit it will be necessary to
dispense with everything i'll the shape Of or
narHentai aPpeudages-