The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-12-18
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
A Vigorous Effort to Clear the
Docket.
DELINQUENT GRADE TAKE
Necessity for System I'm Street Light
ing--Proposal to Reduce the Police
and Detective Force.

the necessity of dispatch. While allowing
certain discretionary latitude in debate
ne holds the board firmly down TO its own
rules, and the result was that last night
great progress was made, although there is
yet mass of petitions, ordinances and
miscellaneous business awaiting action.
The board adjourned until Friday night,
when the Williams contract will be taken
up.
The most important action taken was
that authorizing the corporation counsel,
py virtue Of an ordinance introduced by
Alderman Miller, to engage competent
abstractors to search for the owners of
property upon which the grade tax is de-
iinquent. The resolution authorizing the
city treasurer to take special action toward
the collection of these taxes was sent to
the hnance committee. The necessity for
prompt collection of these taxes is begin
ning to engage the attention of both
houses Nearly 100000 is available for
collection, without the necessity of cx-
pensiye legal proceedings. Mr.. J. Il.
Ronald asked to he released from his con-
tract with the city to collect grade taxes at
D per cent. and it was granted, subject, of
course. to the concurrence of the house.
An ordinance was introduced abolishing
the detective force. On motion of Captain
Snyder it was referred to the committee
on police. The same action was taken
with the ordinance to reduce the police
force to sixty-tive men.
petition for medical assistance evoked
short discussion. President Hall ex-
pressed the opinion that all such matters
should go to the board of health; and that
course was decided upon.
The fire and water committee reported
that ]. w. Girvin & Co. were willing to
cancel the contract with the city for two
of the four chemical engines ordered, on
condition that the other two are paid for
at once. Mr.. Pontius recommended that
the offer be accepted. This was agreed to,
and the committee on Judiciary will draw
up the necessary ordinance.
HE WANTED TO KNOW
An ordinance relating to custody by
officials of documents, maps, etc, was read
and referred to the Judiciary committee.
II want to know" said Mr.. Bogardus,
with q twinkle in his eye that mashed
across the chamber like ray of sunshine
rejected from bit of broken mirror glass,
''if this applies to aldermen who pack
ordinances around in their pockets for a
month";
Two or three members dropped their
heads and became very busy with papers.
Captain Snyder rose to point of order.
'The gentleman is descending to person
alities-," but the attempt at enforced
gravity was too much, and the board broke
into hearty laugh.
STREET LIGHTS
An animated discussion took place over
the proposition to put a sixteen-candle
power light at Prince William street and
Squire avenue.
President Hall said they ought all to be
done away with; they should use thirty
two-candIe power. 1t was very desirable
to have a system, and the board of public
works was considering that subject.
Alderman Wilcox said they needed a
good light out there; it was a thickly popu-
lated district and needed something better
than bug lights.
Captain Snyder said there were sixty
new houses going up. These people paid
their taxes and were entitled to some re-
turn. A good arc light at the right alti-
tude would be cheaper than incandescents
at half dozen corners.
Mr.. Korn said they were always talking
about expense, and should go slow in
ordering up SO many twelve-and-a-halt-
dollar lights.
The arc light was ordered by vote of
5 to 2.
DELINQUENT GRADE TAXES.
An ordinance was passed authorizing
the corporation counsel to employ the SER
vices of abstractors to ascertain the owners
of property delinquent for grade taxes
prior to 1883, with compensation at the
rate of 10 cents per lot; unplatted ground,
per owner, 80 cents; legal subdivisions at
city lot rates.
4 Joint resolution was passed releasing
Mr. J. Il. Ronald from his contract with
the city for collecting grade taxes. This
is done at his own request
A joint resolution relating to the delin-
ouent taxes, and an application of the
treasurer for temporary help in their col
lection, was referred TO the judiciary COM
mittee.
AFTER STOLEN GOODS. -
An ordinance was introduced compelling
pawnbrokers to keep a record of all arti-
cles taken on pledge and furnish a list
with the names of persons, to the chief of
police each week.
Captain Snyder strongly objected; this
would make q very private matter public
property. II would be no worse to compel
bank cashiers to- publish weekly the list of
deroSitors with their balances.
''oh, that is too far-fetched, said Mr..
Miller
Not at all; there is more stolen prop
crty in the banks than there is in all the
pawnshops of the city of Seattle" retorted
Mr. Snyder.
Mr.. Korn said he had no sympathy for
the pawnbrokers, but he had for people
who were compelled by necessity to pawn
their little personal property. He related
the case of a lady in the city who had been
suddenly called upon to provide $500, and
she had tried ut several banks to get the
money on 5000 worth of diamonds, and
being refused had tried several pawn
brokers. They wanted 10 per cent. a
month. so she put herself under obligation
to private friend; but it would have been
very hard had her name been spread on
the police records.
The ordinance was referred to the Judi
ciary committee.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.
The matter of grading Division street.
together with the opinion OF the corpora
ton counsel talready published) was re-
ferred TO the board of public works.
Ordinance reducing the assessment of
Fred Noltei referred 10 Judiciary commit
tee.
Ordinance reducing assessment on lots
on Madison street; referred TO judiciary
committee.
Authorizing sidewalk on West street
from Madison TO University.
Authorizing arc light foot of University
street bridge.
\ joint resolution was passed fixing the
10th of the month as the city's pay day.
A petition by J, Ii. Carr Tor permission
to put q sidewalk in front of his property.
ut his own expense, on Madison street
granted under supervision of the board o;
works.
Joint resolution for sewer on Second, be-
tweed Stewart and Pine, was passed.
Application of the ire commissioners for
power 10 purchase horses was referred 10
nre committee.
ADpliratiOns for licenses hv Keupeth