The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-06-19
ice COMMISSION.
Doard to Be Appointed By
the Mayor.
- OF THE CHARTER Makers.
a~6~etsl Debate Over she Quessfsn
= n,ssesss or Appstasment-1Gapy
Ansndmsnts.

+ l. s@@-~<es<>E
$50 snSrenr commission Was yesterday
- ~ scheme for the police department
- sfouted. The Ere and police commit
sea reported in favor Of . police COM
- 70 Be elected. but = substitute
s1nuted giving the mayor power 10
- The principle Of direct election
B &, = sa.oyously fought for by Judge Roches-
z ~ Robert CaIiiean, but The determine
= p De other members to subordinate
~ 8 Guarding the department against
- influences, finally prevailed. In
7shaeuce OF Judge Jacobs. tho chair
ooupsed by Hon. John Collins. the
- members present beng Messrs.
- Donworth, Sheafe. Rochester. Col.
ldair. Furth. Caliigan, Leary and
= Young laid on the table communi-
= frpm 3 committee of the Knights Of
II ro(ztioning t:sst certain measures be
4 vnorated. They include abolition OF
80 eoutract system on public buildings,
sss1uifion Of eight hours ~ days labor.
- that none but citizens be employed on
s -1Ific york. Il vas accompanied by an
Ss1ment In favor Of each Of the points
8 Siseeated. and WAS signed by J. ". CIaw-
/ ~. Con Lynch. D. 0'Brien and Alexan-
B jgells. On Mr.. Young's motion 1t was
$ 8 ~ . the committee on public works.
- committee on corporate powers re-
$3.50 thss they have no doubt Of the
ss11sr 4 The commission to provide for al
- deemed necessary. whether elective
= srpoIntive.
~ article Of the police department was
S1n up for third reading.
1ndre strive moved q substitute TOR the
n section, tina. instead of four commits
iInes being elected they shall be APP
11Inted b. The mayor. one each year after
IL 6rst year.
jndfe etruvs said be had no objection to
~ original plan. except as to the method
Z slsction. The police commissioners
peaId have . great influence on elections.
Hefecited che experience OF other cities.
uheso The commissioners were not even 81.
Eoed to 10 members Of any convention.
- rolice commissioners in this city could
noifol LOO votes II We could insure dis
hefested men, whose only object Is TO
rfomose the welfare Of the city. and If We
meoirt men not merely for their services
3 Nasd politics. he would have no objec-
~ . electing the commissioners, pro-
Md that both political parties were
equally represented.
Judre Lewis was decidedly in favor Of
ukiking the force ont OF politics entirely.
Is had been reading on the subject and
f11onclusion was that political corruption
- based and grounded In the police force
- IN trusts. In Philadelphia they had
- trust. The trust here will be that
vkich employs most men. 1t is nonsense
= govern city on political lines. Either
porty when Il gets majority becomes cor
nps and ths police force will be subject 70
tat influence. This city Is becoming cor
Supt and the people win rise up and brush
away these iniquities, but those who seek
tho Offices are very persistent. The effort
INSIDE in New York to get free from such
Influences was almost revolution. When
ever you have partisanship in city politics
you have corruption. tits human 70 err;
II is human 10 rob. and whatever viii pre-
vent the police force coming under the con-
troll Of those who profit by corruption he
Vas in favor Of.
We know how Il Is In practice ~ to cleo
lions. Almost any business man Is
ashamed TO b seen at . city political CON-
vsnt1on. We have bosses here. | suppose.
Fan Francisco is VIGOROUSLY governed by
one and be u blind. His impression was
that We viii get better men by appoint
ment
Colonel shea!e would favor the substitute
the commissioners could DO appointed by
the governor Of the state instead OF by the
mayor.
Nc Calligan did not believe in the politi-
eal test We have seen that tried in this
county. The politicians can always find q
tool. and as far a. appointment is con-
cerned. he did not believe it would result
any better. II there is boss he can just
. Well run i've rs one. His only object.
however. was TO get the best possible gov
eminent for the CITY.
Mr.. Young said that when elected to the
commission he knew nothing of organic
law, huthad been reading on the subject and
particularly the experience OF other cities
ne found Mr.. Strives proposition in
many charters aud in some the appointing
power Is In the governor OF the state.
MI Leary was also IN favor of the sub
nitase- He was opposed to giving the
power TO the governor. The mayor comes
directly from the people and should have
we appointing power. He is as likely to
e an honorable and Trustworthy man as
the governor.
Judge Rochester said fundamental
principle Of government upon which he
and some Of his colleagues did not agree,
sAs's IN this article of the chapter. and
mss vas government by the people. He
osd not believe in one-man power. II the
people saw their mistake they reciiEed
taeis error. Therefore he advocated cleo
Won by the people Of the officers who are to
serve them. In this country the theory il
nat all powers Of government enama,e from
'ae people, and the people are very jeai-
Gus OF that prerogatiye. II this fact were
mol recognized the people would not APP
Prove the charter at the polls. They do
aot always exercise that power, but they
iike 70 feel that they have the power and
we safety of good government lies In The
saine attached to the franchise II the
mayor lett disposed 10 run the government
ae could so shape his appointments as 10
sase perpetual control directly or In
directly OF city affairs.
No referred 20 the contrast between New
ork and Brooklyn, which are governed
uy one-man power. and Birmingham,
1agsand. which has greater number OF
o'neers elected by the people than any city
N the United States. There are seventy
one people elected by that city. Suppose
we! carry the proposition OF Mr. s,rave
" us legitimate conclusion. WHY not
include all your officers. city clerk. city
treasurer. city at,ornevs You would have
complete one-msn power--a monarehi-
"a government. despot il he plesses. IL
= contrary TO the genius of American in
sa'uhcns, and If this proposition is
s.aopled the people will and ought to de-
teat IL at the nol,s