The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-07-12
PROVIDING A JUDGE.
The Charter Makers Propose q
Police Court.
TWO MORE ARTICLES PASSED
The Public Library Article Gets
Through After Hard TussIe-
An Alternative Plan.

The charter com mission yesterday morn
iSg passed two articles-on the sewer
age system and the city treasurer. Imme-
diately thereafter the public library article
was taken up.
A prolonged debate took place upon the
power Of the commission to provide for the
issue of bonds required for fund. without
submitting the question to the people,
under the corstitr ton.
Considerable time was occupied in recon-
structing the involved sections so as to pro-
vide that the council should submit the
question to the people. When that had
been accompIi shed, Mr.. Calligan objected
to the use OF the mandatory provision that
the city council .'shail speedily" submit the
question. He aid there would be an i'm.
mense amount - work 10 do by the conn
ell for many nor tbs and it might be hard
todetermine just what speedily meant
Judge Lewis agreed that some definite
time should be st ated. but in order to test
the feeling OF the commission he would
propose to amend so that the council should
act lin its discretion"
This was adopted, and Mr.. Donworth
proposed then 10 further amend by striking
out upon the adoption of the charter. :"
This aroused discussion upon the futility
of such an article unless some definitiveness
we're given TO il. as, without that. the city
council could do all that was necessary
without the article in the charter.
Judge Rochester said he would ask moth
ing further from the commission on the
subject. The arrangement with the ladies
was based on the understanding that pro-
vision would be included in the charter for
= 4 Y<<f q
and II it were To be left to the discretion OF
the council IL would be better to wait and
90 before the council with their PROPOSE
ton.
Judge Greene said they were all agreed
as to the supreme value of public library,
and he was disposed to aid in It's establish
ment. but he did not believe the people of
the city were in cond ition to be burdened
with the Indebtedness necessary for large
building. very good library could be
maintained for year or two in a rented
building.
EaIr. Andrews made an earnest appeal to
the commission to arrive at some determi-
nation.
The general discussion was renewed, but
no conclusion arrived at by noon. Judge
Lewis offered substitute for section 5, fix
ing the time ut the election of 1894 or 1896.
Judge Rochester endeavered 20 get it
placed at 1852 or 1894. hut Judge Greene
again urged that the Indebtedness the peo-
pie would have to meet should make the
commission very discreet in imposing bur-
dens which coIld not be put off. no matter
how heavy the claims upon the people.
They needed to build a city hall.
Colonel Sheafe advocated tine short term.
He said that as to the city hall there was a
bequest for that.
Mr.. Calligan explained that under James
0sborn's will property had been left the
city for the purpose of building city hall,
but the city must spend an equal amount.
The property was originally valued at $50,
GOO; it was now probably worth $4,000.
1t was finally agreed to make it optional
in 1892 or 1894 but compulsory in 1895.
Happy solution" said Chairman ia
cobs. as the long debated question was fin
ally decided by unanimous vote.
The adoption of this amendment called
for collateral amendments in other Sec
tons, and general wish was expressed
that Judge Rochester prepare theni-
II have worked on this commission I'M
til am about worn out" he replied; but
after lac points raised had been argued for
some time, he drafted the needed altera-
tons.
The task of revision proceeded until the
section was reached in which the hours
during which the library should be kept
open was reached.
Judge Lewis de sired TO have it open on
Sundays. Il don't want the saloons to
have monopoly of the reading-rooms on
Sunday"
1t was agreed to leave the matter open TO
be regulated by the prevailing sentiment of
the time. BY O'Clock the library article
was completed and put upon final pas
sage.
The following articles not heretofore
published have yet to be acted upon:
CoMpTgoLLER AND ASSESSOR.
SECTION l. The comptroller shall be appointed
by the MAYER. subject 10 confirmation by the
board oi aldermen. lie shall be ex-officio as
SCISSOR. As assessor he shall perform all the du-
ties prescribed by this Charter or by law. for as
sessing property in the city for the purposes of
taxation aud in relation TO street improve
ments
sec. ? The comptroller shall exercise general
supervision over the financial affairs of the city.
He shall number and keep record OF all de-
nsnds allowed by him, showing the date of ap-
prevail. amount and name of original holder
the number. on what account, and out of what
fund PAYABLE He shall be required TO be con-
SANITY acquainted with the exact condition of
the treasury. He shall on the first Monday of
each month, or oftener if required, report to the
mayor the condition of each fund in the treas
ury.
lie saail make annual reports to the city coun-
Gil. aud 70 the mayor on his request, of the
financial condition and requirements of the city,
with a caSeful statement and estimate OF the re-
ceipts aud expenditures. tie shall keep COM
piete set of books by double entry system for
the city. in which shah be set forth IL a plain
and business-iikc manner. every money trans
seton OF the city, so that he can at any time
tell the exact condition OF the city's finances
He shall make an annual report showing the
source from which the eity's revenues were de-
rived, and how expended He shall require all
claims. returns, settlements and reports 10 be
verified By affidavit He shall issue ali licenses
In accordance with law on presentation 10 him
OF a receipt from the city treasurer showing that
the license Zee has been paid, and shall counter
sign ell warrants upon he treasurer
The comptroller shall have authority to take
siiadasiss and administer the necessary oaths in
the transaction OF all city business: he shall
have seat in each branch OF the city
council with the right To debate on any cues
ton pertaining 20 his department., but shall
have no vote.
SEC. lie shall keep publicly posted in his
Office list Of sill persons receiving salaries
from The city, with the amount Of
monthly salary received by each oppo-
site his name. which list shall be revised and
corrected by him monthly. and be at all times
open 10 public examination.
Sec. I. de shall perform such other duties az
THIS charter or the city council may direct; and
may sppoint sneh regular and temporary depr.
ties, both as comptroller aud rs assessor as the
city counel may authorize. whose compenss-
ton shall he fixed by ordinance
Sec. D. The term of office Of the eo,onf,ol,ar