The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-06-29

U.su, Messrs. Donworth, Lewis, CalIigan,
Auams and Rochester spoke, the only diff
.sIence being IS to the best means OF com.
oining efncient service and stability with q
lleqaent expression of opinion by the
voters through elections.
M. Donworth spoke of the great strides
the CITY was making Six years in the
history OF Western city like Seattle meant
considerably longer time than the same
period Ia the effete East. Circumstances
changed entirely. 4 man elected in 1884
would have had very different conditions
70 deal with to those before the expiration
OF MS term II il lasted six years.
ar. Cailignn said he thought he was in q
minority in this matter. He was in favor
OF annual elections for the mayor II we
get good mayor we can re-eiect him. and
II ne Is bad one the sooner we get rid OF
MIN the better. A bad board Of aldermen
could. IN ten minutes. cost the city the
price OF an election by bad legislation He
was IN favor OF one year terms, and three
~ the outside, for aldermen.
Mr.. Andrews said the views Of Mr. CALI
gan and Mr.. Donworth were entitled to
serious consideration, but there was q view
OF the matter equally worthy Of attention.
ne thought stable government hardly con-
sistent with too frequent elections. He re-
ferred to the experience of the earlier states.
and went on to say that it would be diff
cult to get good man to leave q business
to devote himself to the affairs of the city
for one year.
Mr.. Adsir concurred with Mr.. Andrews
With annual elections the best part of a
term was passed before q man had fairly
grasped the situation fully, and just when
he was ready to produce results his term
would expire and new man come in TO
upset all his plans.
Mr.. Collins also expressed himself as
strongly in favor of biennial elections.
Judge Lewis said it was pretty well
agreed that the presidential term of four
years was too short and public opinion is
tending toward q six years term with in
eligibility for a second term. In the state
government we have made the governors
term four years. He thought the ad Vantage
to be derived from o reasonably long term
would offset any disadvantage. The alder
men would re elected by the whole people,
and he thought therefore that If the term
was made four years with biennial election
they would have chance to express their
opinion often enough.
~ y VoeS Va w = Vie tSI Ia W 40 AhuuC
four years, thus making the term of the
five receiving the largest number of votes
four years and the other four two years.
On section 4, Mr.. Adair said it often hap
pened that q member of firm was elected
and one clause of the section would pre-
vent that firm taking any contract for city
work, and it might be great hardship.
Mr.. Rochester replied that while it might
work hardship in some cases it would
form just the sort of safeguard the people
need.
Judge Lewis favored 1t. The city was in
partnership with several firms just now.
and he hoped the section would prevail.
The. city government for some time might
have been better run by women. Jobbery
is one of the things most to be guarded
against. We don't want to be kept out of
water for . whole summer in order that
some member of q city body may be able to
get part of contract.
The section was adopted; also sections 6
as to eligibility, and Z. which provides that
each house shall meet separately. Section
10 was adopted with very little discussion.
On the section providing for the declara-
ton of ordinance Judge Rochester moved
that il be in this form: BE it ordained by
the city of Seattle" This was agreed to
amid general expressions of approval.
By noon nineteen sections of the article
had been passed, and the commission ad.
iourned until $50 q. m. Monday.