The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-09-28

having net the f1Se Oh 70 nssssH k-''
property. together with the increased ne
cessis;es OF three new engines, demand sne
erection of several fire engine houses,
which recommend shall be OF snostsn-
sial and permanent character. and taas
their prcper location be selected with pru-
dent care snd with a view TO the future
growth of the city. The season has, how
evrr. progressed so far As to prevent any
thing being done this fail in this direction.
except something OF temporary nature.
rTgE ALARM SYSTEM.
In the g.ne of improvements one OF the
most important 10 be noted is the orcerins
OF q contpset. ERE alarm system. OF the
f;amexelI patent When these various
changes. along With others which have
MT snaee 10 detail, shall have been COM
ple,exi. sided BIZ a rigid enforcement OF the
FIRE and building ordinances, II IS my opih-
ion tha, no fire OF the future can ever at
tain the destructive Roadway OF Cur great
FIRE Of this year. True economy can only
be attained by complete protection. ana
complete protection will necessiiate very
large eutlsy of money.
STREET. GRADE IMPROVEMENTS
cali attention 10 the very comprehen-
sive report Of the city surveyor. You WIZ
note the large extent of streets graded
during the wear. amounting TO 1V,li2 linear
feet being l. per cent of the entire nile
are OF streets graded in the city 10 the emu
OF the fiscal year, all OF which aggregated
n Il miles In this connection | may state
that the amount Of grading which VIII De
eone during the current year and which Is
nov in progress viii be greatly i'll excess OF
the large results OF the previous year
again direct your attention TO this admir-
able report and its suggestions, which can
only indorse and emphasize.
EEPLAr OF THE BUSINESS PORTION OF THE
CITY
The most important of the contingent
results of the fire IS the replat of the lower
portion of the city. Although the desira-
hili;y OF many changes had long been con-
ceied. very few of our citizens had any
hope of ever seeing them attain fruition
The fire made this possible, and future gen
erations of citizens will do honor TO the
pualic-spirite,l council which proved itself
equal TO the ocCa 600. Perhaps no man IN
the city is in a position 10 better estimate
the labor and anxiety which the council
underwent during the weeks which sue
ceeded The fire than myself, and Will say
that no compensation coutd be comnen-
sura,e 10 such service excep. the proud
satisfaction which fills the heart OF every
public servant who does his full duty.
need not enumerate the improvements
made nor recount the steps taken 10 &C
complish the same. When our streets are
rebuilt on the new plan We shall be
prouder OF our beautiful city than before,
and the verde, will be that the end was
well worth the cost | have not space to
do more than direct your attention to the
reports OF the health officer. harbor mas
ter, sanitary officer, chief of police. street
commissioner. city treasurer, city attor-
ney and city clerk, all of which YOU will
find comprehensive and satisfactory.
PUBLIC PARKS AND CITY oRSAMEArArIoN.
II is with much pleasure that | inform
you that the kinnear park has now been
formally transferred by the generous donor,
George kinnear. esq, to the city, the neces-
sary Improvements having been completed
by the city in accordance with the terms Of
the proposition of Mr.. kinnear. | trust
that such public spirit will become infec
tious with our wealthy citizens, and that
many will find that the most enduring
monuments to their names may be found
in gifts to the public, of conveniences and
means of health and pleasure, such as have
been provided by Mr.. kinnear. | also call
attention TO the great work which has been
inaugurated by the ladies of Seattle,
through the Arbor Association, in the
planting of shade trees along our principal
residence streets. In my opinion the COM
mon council will do wisely in stimulating
the further prosecution of this work of
love by liberal donations to the association,
and by right enforcement of the laws of
the city for the protection OF the trees after
they are placed in position.
Among the most important of these sug-
gestions which | make is the requirement
by the city of large tract of land. con-
venient'y located. TO be converted into
central park. Ii this is not attended to
soon 1t will be an enduring source of regret
o all of a IN years TO come. | therefore
urge this matter on your consideration and
should be pleased TO give all the assistance
to you which lies in my power.
GENERAL SUGGESTIONS.
1t is in many ways peculiarly fortunate
for the city OF Seattle that our territorial
condition is soon 10 come TO an end by the
admission 10 the Union of the state of
Washington.
The fire OF June 8 produced conditions
which, in the event of our remaining ter
ritory, would have been well nigh insur
mountable. Our present charter is so
inelastic and cut on such pattern that we
had already felt confined and burdened by
its restrictions. but when to this is added
the new requirements brought by the fire.
our only relief is to be found in statehood
from the vassalage of congressional and
territorial laws. Under our charter the
limit of indebtedness for all purposes. ex
cept water supply, is SO, coo. Since the end
of the fiscal year, TO meet expenses which
were vital 10 our existence. the city has
issued warrants. the sum of which at times
was much in excess of our limit. but this
has been approved and held lawful by our
leading lawyers and moneyed institutions
since these expenditures have been for the
purpose OF selfpreservation. right of
communities as well as individuals.
Under our charter. our right To horrow
money for the erection of water works IN
be owned by the city is unlimited. and ex.
ercising this power. the people at the laSt
general election voted. by a practically
unanimous vote. 20 bond the CITY for
81 ,no,oo0 for this purpose | hone very
soon 10 be able to announce To the citizens
that plans have been adopted for the com
pletion OF this great werk recommend
and believe that the sentiment Of our
citizens hears me out in the same thai
should the system OF the Spring Hi Water
Company he found TO be OF value as A mar,
OF the system 10 be adopted, ii should he
purchased by the city. provided it can ne
obtained at its real and actual value viewed
from this standpoint