The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-01-17
THE CHARTERS BILL
Seattle Officials Offer Their
Views.
MEETING OF The COMMITTEE.
Discussion Of some of the DifHcnlsies ID
BE Mrt-Assessments for street
Improvements.

oIYaFIs. Jan. ls-The special JOINT
charter committee met at the capitol this
morning and was addressed by Council
man Niesz and the city attorney OF se-
atile. and by Judge Evans. appointed to
draft the bill The meeting was informal
ana took the shape of = general discussion.
The nrst subject brought up was special
assessments for street improvement.
Judge Evans was inclined 10 favor the
doctrine Of assessment By frontage. his OBJ
lectl0n 70 the scheme of assessment By
benefits being that it left the question of
sppraisement always To be settled.
speaker Feighan differed decidedly from
The judge, contending that the scheme for
special street assessment should have for
Its basis the value OF ahutting property.
councilman Niesz sided with the speaker
and called attention 10 the provision of the
constitution which makes the valuation Of
property the basis of taxation. Every
plan, said Mr. Niesz. has Objectionable fea-
lures, and Is certSin. in some Instances, TO
result In inequalities of taxation.
Judge Evans added that il was desirable
That some fixed plan be adopted, so that
there could be no uncertainty or ambiguity
about the enabling act and the grant of
power 10 the cities IN this respect
Judge Houghton said that the provision
OF the constitution relating to the assess
ment OF property by valuation would not
interfere with the frontage scheme.
AieSz thought that the determination of
the plans OF the special assessment should
be LETT TO the respective cities.
Houghton believed that the power 10
elect the plan could be conferred upon the
cities
NieSz. referring TO the matter of boards
OF public works, said il was customary 10
leave the selection of the boards 10 The
option OF the cities. They are usually
chosen from the officers of the city and
from the heads of various departments.
The consensus of opinion of the committee
appeared 10 be that the matter should be
delegated 70 the cities.
There should be a general law said
Councilman Niesz, "as 10 the matter of
extending credit and negotiating bonds, so
that when capitalists, about TO purchase
bonds, make inquiry there can be no DOUBT
as To the validity of the act or the value of
the loan. =
The councilman also called attention to
the primary necessity of an simple proyis-
ion allowing cities TO enlarge and fix their
boundaries, and Speaker Feighan, calling
attention 10 the anomalous condition az
Spokane Falls. with reference to lis sinh
urban .cities.' declared that there should
he clause 10 allow the main city
10 bring these : cities within its limits
neicsss tobeas. This was generally agreed 10.
and the Illinois law on the subject was
cited as good precedent The statute
there makes elaborate provision for the en-
iargement of boundaries and for the in
corporation in one city OF outlying suburbs.
The Seattle committee was delegated To
draw up clause on the subject for Rsb-
mission TO Mr. Evans.
Judge Houghton suggested that a mu-
nieipal or police judge should be provided
for, that he might try civil and crininal
eases Of lesser magnitude, and relieve
superior coarts of great burden of their
work. Appeals could be taken direct 10 the
supreme court The proposition met with
favor.
Judge Evans said that the object OF the
bill should be to make a maximum grant
OF power to the cities. and to give them re-
spectiuely the amplest powers TO frame
their charters. He was not drafting a
charter for Tacoma or Seattle. bur one that
would meet the needs and necessities of all
cities alike
The meeting was harmonious the only
difference being about the manner OF lew
OF special assessments. IL Is probable that
II found constitutional, the matter will be
left entirely 10 the corporations.