The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-07-06
BOARD OF WORKS.
A Day Devoted to Discussion of
Details.
THE NEW FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The Charter Commission Arranges How
Street improvements Shall Be
Provided and Paid for.

The charter commissioners sat all day
Yesterday and accomplished good days
work. They almost completed the article
on the board of public works. the infinity
of detail calling for the most careful con-
sideration of every section.
Mr.. Donworth, who was absent when the
majority report of the board OF pubic
works on the knights OF Labor petition
was made, presented a minority report In
which be argues that the proposition that
the city shall employ only citizens does not
abridge any mans right to earn his bread
nv the sweat of his brow. He sees no rea-
son why distinction should be made be-
tween a police officer and other employees,
and declares his belief that both are
equally servants of the state and both
should equally feel that there are advan-
taees in being citizens of our country"
The committee on fire and police, con-
sisting of Messrs. Rochester. Cailigan and
Greene, reported an article on the fire de-
partment. The report provides for fire
commission TO consist of the mayor and
four commissioners, the commissioners to
be elected at the same time and in the
same manner as the mayor and shall hold
their offices for -four years.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
SECTION l. The fire comnsission.-There shall
he fire commission, which shall consist OF the
mayor who shall be chairman thereof, and four
FIRE commissioners who shall be electors and
freeholders of the city, NO two OF whom shall be
a resident OF the same ward, and who shall De
elected at the same time and IN the same man.
ner as the mayor, and shall hold office for four
years. Provided, That at the election held for
xt.4u nt,o 0NY9, 81
crs shall be elected, and OF the commissioners
40 elected the two receiving the lowest number
OF votes shall only hold Office for the term of two
years. The fire commissioners shall serve Without
compensation, and shall receive no corapensa-
ton directly or indirectly for any services rend-
cred as fire commissioners
Sec. o Fire department shall iIe fire
department. which shall consist of a chief of
the fire department. and rs many subordinate
officers and fremen as the city cou acil shall
from time to time by ordinance prescribe.
Sec q Po,cers and duties OF the IRE comm ission
First-Fhe lire commission shall prescrs be rules
and regulations for the government an control
of the fire department, and fix and enfore PEN
allies for their violation.
second-The fire commission shall appoint the
chief of the fire department, and all subordinate
officers aud fremen, and may from ii me to time
remove said chief of the fire departm ent, or any
of said subordinate officers, or IRENE n, they
may see fit for such cause as 10 them seems just
or proper.
Every appointee of the FIRE depart ment must
be a citizen OF the United States. OF good char
acter for honesty and sobriety, able 10 read the
English language, and must have been resi-
dent of the city for at least one YER preceding
his appointment; every appointce hereafter ap-
pointed. except the chief OF the fire department,
shall not be less than p nor more Than 40 years
of age, and must possess such physical qualif-
cations US will enable him to pass satisfactory
medical examination, under such rules and reg
uistions as may be prescribed by the fire COM
mission.
Third-The fire commission shall annually, or
oftener If required by the city council, or IL
they deem best, make report to the mayor and
city council, of any municipal legislation by
them deemed necessary to improve the condi-
ton and administration Of the fire department.,
and shall report In like manner fully to the
mayor and city council the business and condi-
ton of the fire department. showing the num-
Der OF alarms responded TO, the estimated
loss by each fire, with the cause
thereof during the year. with such
other general and special information az
they can tending to throw light upon the ad-
yancement or Improvement of the department
and the necessities thereof; also an estimate of
the amount of money that will be required to
pay salaries and expenses of the fire department
for the ensuing fiscal year, specifying in detail
the items for which the same will be required.
Fourth-The fire commission shall have such
further powers and be subject TO such further
duties as may be granted or imposed by the city
council by ordinance.
Sec l. Duties Of the IRE department First
Chief OF the fire department: The chief of the
fire department shall exercise vigilant control
over the department at all times. He shall be
subject to the rules, regulations and orders of
the fire commission, and shall perform such
duties az may be by them or the city council
prescribed
second-subordinate officers and fremen:
The duties of the subordinate officers of the fire
department aud OF the fremen shall be pre-
Scribed by the fire commission, subject to the
control aud direction of the city council
Sec s. Meetings OF the fire coBtRiission.-The fire
commission shalt meet at least once a month at
sach times and places IS they shall by resolu-
ton determine, and in such special meetings as
may be by them from time to time found ex-
pecient The city council shall provide suit
able place for the meetings of the fire commits
sion.
Sec g. The city clerk. in person or by deputy,
shall attend the meetings and perform the cler-
ical work of the fire commission.
PUBLIC WORKS.
The article on public works came up in
order for third reading.
Judge Rochester moved TO make the
board elective. He declared that this was
the most important elective department.
and there was every reason why the men,
bers should be independent of the appoint
ing power and be directly responsible to
the people. His argument was based upon
the same theory as i'll previous debates.
Judge Lewis said that every reason ad-
vanced by the last speaker was an argu-
ment in favor of appointing. That board
would spend millions of dollars, and he ad-
yocated deliberate and responsible choice
of the men who were TO handle the peoples
money.
Mr. Andrews said there were powerful
reasons why this board should be ap-
pointed II they are to spend large sums
of money they would employ large bodies
of men, and would therefore have power
full political pull"
The motion was then put to make the
Office elective. with the following result:
Ayes-Rochester Young.
Nays-Adair. Andrews, Calligan, Collins.
Donworth. Furth, Greene. Lewis. Nixon,
sheafe, Struve.
MIR. Andrews moved TO strike out the
words land not more than two members
shall belong TO the same political party :"
Eegstived.
AT the afternoon session consideration of
the article on board of public works was
resumed. II proceeded without material
alteration until the section providing that
public Improvements should be made by
contract work, was reached.
Judge Rochester moved 10 strike out the
section. lie declared himself opposed to
the contract system and in favor OF letting
those who do the work get the profit lie
thniiyht the city should not my the inuast