The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-05-03
THE TENT QUESTION.

THE TENT QUESTION.
Afternoon Session Of the Comnittee 81
the whole.
There was full attendance of the coun-
Gil At . meeting of the committee OF the
whole in the afternoon
Mayor Moran announced that the first
matter 10 come before the committee
would be the consideration of petitions for
extension Of time on tent permits.
WaliingfoTd-I am IN favor OF no general
extension. Tents have stood long time
in the way of Improvements and
Of building sidewalks on plank
ed and widened streets. Then many tent
occupants are not fire sufferers. Some Of
them have said that they did not believe
the council could move them any way.
think the city should enforce its order.
Phillip agree with Wallingford, that
the tents should be removed. Many tent
occupants have threatened to resist the or
der, and / think it Is time to put our reso-
luton into effect
Twichell-A general extension would be
unwise. impolitic and unjust. 1t is unfair
TO place those who have by the exertion of
foresight and diligence secured quarters to
keep them in competition with men who
pay little or no rent The council has
passed an order and I think it should be
enforced.
Hail-There are many places in town
where property owners wish to build, but
they can not get possession of the property
on account Of tents, which will not move,
and they look TO Us for protection. Imove
that the tents on the Hinckley corner,
Second and Columbia streets, ana the SAM
derson corner, Yesler avenue and South
Third street, be removed by the street
commissioner at once
Durie-This strikes me O. partial meas
ure and m evasion of the main question.
think the matter should be decided right
now on the main question. don't think
any half way measures viii do. How are
We to draw the line7 We must either give
an extention to all or require all to remove
their tents. It makes no difference that
one merchant is wealthy and another is
poor. They are Ill citizens, and one has
the same rights Is others. I am in favor
OF requiring oil the tents to be removed. II
We grant IN extension, say OF one month.
We viii find the same difficulty confronting
US.
Hail. do not wish to be partial, but
want to see the tents that stand in the way
Of Improvements removed.
Mayor-It strikes ME that oil tent per-
mits have been revoked, and that the
street commissioner has received his in
structions to tear the tents down. II the
council wishes to order any particular tent
or tents torn down first, ii can do SO.
kiAsz-It anpoara IN ma that H. x-.,>
point has not been considered. The per-
mits were issued with the proviso that the
tents should be removed upon order of the
council. We have the right to single out
any particular tent and order il torn down
ii We wish. think il would be well to
appoint . committee to canvass the situa-
ton: find out how many legitimate busi-
ness houses are in tents and find il there
are rooms enough 10 accommodate them,
say within fifteen or thirty days. make
q motion to this effect
White agree with Niesz that it would
be well to make q canvass to ascertain how
many occupants Of tents have leased rooms
in buildings, and I second Mr. Niesz's mo-
ton.
Twichell-It would be well TO find out
how many tent occupants have attempted
to secure quarters. bat think the matter
should be decided at once.
Wallingford-i move that the street COM
missioner be instructed to lay the sidewalks
on Second street as widened. II he finds
meritorious case he can let the tent stand.
purie-I don I think this council Is going
to work at this matter in a manly or in
straightforward way We cant pick and
choose in this matter. The order should
be general. no matter which way il
goes. Let the word go forth that we
have weakened on our policy, and il viii
have no very good effect upon the adjust
ment OF insurance rates.
Hail. shall vote against Wallincford's
motion, because the tent question should
be settled first; then l will vote for his
motion when the main question is settled.
Captain Z. NJ. Carr raised the point on
behalf OF certain tent occupants that the
council had calculated when IL issued the
order revoking tent permits that buildings
would be sufficiently far advanced on MAY
l for al 70 find quarters. the council hsi
failed in its calculations, and therefore the
reason for its order mad failed. He urged
q thorough investigation of the matter in
order that leniency might he shown to
those who have leased stores and intend to
move into them as soon as they are CON-
pie;ed.
Twieheil thought that Wallinsford's mo-
ton Was out OF place. as Second street was
not the only street on which there were
tents. and therefore the motion only par
tally settled the question.
Wallinsfori withdrew his motion.
Judge Orange Jacobs appeared for tent
holders 10 urge al extension Of time.
Siess moved that the matter OF tent
permits be referred to the committee on
IRE and water. White seconded the mo-
ton.
Durse-l object 70 the sAddling OF the
question on the fire and water committee
ana opposed 20 the extension Of time and
move IS an amendment thafis be referred
20 Mr.. Nicsz's Judiciary committee
Hall am opposed TO the whole motion.
IS it Is bat another way Of evadiRg the
question Let Us settle the matter nox.
nuris-I contend that IL il altogether
wrong 10 pick and choose; let rs make the
order for al. no matter whether il il for
extension or removal II isn't right to dis
crsrssnaie rs has been proposed
>iesx--i wosssa like u ask il the whole
tsat nosscy has net been In the line OF dis
elimination This committee might repors
fsvorins discrimination In tavos Of grant