The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-07-08

| sitting respectively to the right and the
| left of the cbair.
| Mr.. Donworth believed the matter en-
| tirely one OF legislation. The question wss
| now being tried before the bar OF public
| opinion. and he did not think they should
forestall the decision by prescribing prac-
| tically immutable limit.
| Mr.. Calliean believed the question was
| beyond their jurisdiction. III he were In
| the council he would not hesitate TO pass
| upon if, but he did not think il would be
| prudent to put this plank in the charter.
| He had worked all his life from sun to
| sun, and he had always worked from
| twelve to sixteen hours. and he had done
very well at it. His idea was to pay man
! by the hour, and il a man wanted to work
| two hours or ten hours he would be free to
| do as he pleased.
Judge Rochester would vote upon this
as matter of public policy, not of dollars
and cents. Every man should have time
to improve his condition. time TO go to the
public library, time to go to the parks.
He desired this city to be conspicuous for
the social and moral welfare and happiness
of its citizens. He was only 81 years of
age, and for years had worked sixteen
hours day and was already an old man.
He did not know how to rest. and the
saddest thing in his life was that he did
not know how to enjoy days recreation.
He had been continually taught when
young that it was best to labor until il had
become a second nature, and he desired to
put it in the fundamental law that period
of recreation was essential to the rational
enjoyment of life.
Mr.. Furth also advocated the eight-hour
law. The city clerk and other officers
kept their offices open eight hours by order
of the council, and there was no reason
why all city employees should not be treated
alike, but it was the place of the council to
regulate the mum Der of hours.
Judge Struve said congress had adopted
the eight-hour system by law, and he saw
no harm in putting the provision In the
charter. He should vote for it.
Judge Lewis said yes congress did it; it
was not in the constitution. The state of
Washington did not put it in the constitu-
ton. but left it to the legislature. Let us
pattern our government on that. Mems
minds may change and the question can be
decided by the legislative department in
harmony with prevailing sentiment.
Mr.. Young said it had been intimated
that the provision had been introduced for
political effect He said that for himself,
he had run for office, been badly beaten
and was done with politics. He defended
the provision and maintained that the
charter afforded the most suitable oppor-
tunity to affirm a principle which every
body approved.
The question was then put as to adop-
ton of the section, with the following re-
suit:
Ayes - Andrews, Nixon, Rochester,
Strive, Young, Jacobs.
Nays-Calligan, Collins, Donworth,
Furth. Greene, Lewis, Sheafe.
The vote was very mixed as to politics,
three Democrats and three Republicans
voting aye, and one Prohibitionist, three
Republicans and three Democrats voting
no.
POLICE COMMISSION.
At the afternoon session Judge Lewis
proposed to call up the police commission
article for reconsideration.
Judge Rochester asked that it be not
taken up then. He had an amendment
which he believed would be acceptable. 1t
was that the first commission be made
elective and subsequently appointive.
1t was, however, decided to take it up
at once, and Mr.. Rochester thereupon sub
mitted his resolution.
Mr.. Andrews moved to strike out words
| so as to omit the provision that in the
| first appointment no two commissioners
| should be of the same political party
Mr.. Rochester said there had been an in
| cident recently which confirmed his judg-
ment against the one-man power. The
| power has already fallen into the hands
of the boodlers. If the signs shown at the
last primaries may be trusted, and they
are equally apparent at the charter election,
| it is probable that the city will fall into the
hands of the Philistines.
Judge Lewis-The same boodlers who
elect the mayor will elect the commission
ers. The gamblers elected the chief Of
| police once: the lava beds can elect the
| mayor. If they do let them run the whole
machinery. Then the people will arouse
themselves if they become exasperated,
and will trample down the lava beds.
Mr.. Andrews agreed with Judge Lewis
that We ought to have a strong govern
ment, but it should be strong to do right
| He warmly supported Judge Rochester's
amendment.
The amendment was then put to vote:
Yeas-Andrews, Calligan, Collins, Young,
Rochester.
Nays-Adair, Furth, Greene, Lewis.
Sheafe. Jacobs.
Mr.. Nixon won't vote till after the
Democratic primaries. I understand this
is to down Harry White. and between
Harry White and Guy Phinn.y don't see
much difference.
The article was then put on final passage
and received nine votes to two. 1t was de-
clared passed. the first article to be adopted
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The fire department article was taken mn
and proceeded until the provision was
reached requiring that fireman must be
citizen.
Mr.. Andrews moved to strike that ont so
that the charter commission might be con.
sistent ILaughter.l The amendment was
withdrawn.
The reading of the article proceeded ran
idly and was put on its final passage. The
article was drawn by Judge Rochester and
is the only instance in which an article has
gone entirely through three readings with.
out an amendment
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The public library was called up but
Judge Rochester and Mr.. Furth asked that
it be deferred until the ladies' library com.
mittee could be heard from.
The report of the legislative committee
on pending sections was taken from the
table. and two sections. one as to taxation
and another as TO official newspapers (botb
of which were published in yesterdays
Posr-INrELLIGENcER)w were adopted.
THE MAYORS COUNCIL.
Judge Greene, under suspension of The
rules. introduced the following new propo.