The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-07-08
TWO ARTICLES PASS.
Judge Rochester Makes the
First Home Run.
DEPARTMENT or FINANCE.
The Possibility Of m Extension of Char
ter Time Fire Department
ana Public Library.


Judge Rochester had the houor yesterday
of passing IN entire article through the
charter commission without an amend
ment. His public library article was also
almost completed.
When the session opened yesterday Mr..
Andrews desired to know what the com
missions Interpretation of the law Is in re-
gard to when the charter must be compiet-
ed. In the state constitution it is provided
that all cities Of 20, 600 inhabitants or over
are empowered to organize themselves into
a municipal government The state legis-
lature enacted law stating how such cities
shall proceed TO frame their own charters.
It was provided that an election should be
held and fifteen freeholders elected for The
purpose of framing . charter, and within
ten days after their election such elected
freeholders shall meet for the purpose OF
making such charter, and thirty days
thereafter the same shall be submitted to
the people for confirmation.
Mr.. Andrews desired to know what was
meant by thirty days thereafter. The gen.
eral opinion at first prevailed that the law
required the charter to be submitted thirty
days after the charter commissioners first
convened for the purpose of framing such
charter, but now the Interpretation seems
to be within thirty days after the framing
Of the charter" If 1t means the first. then
the commissioners must finish their work
next Wednesday.
The question was referred to the commit
tee on corporate powers, and at the same
time the understanding was reserved
among the members that they should pro-
coed as though to get through with the
charter on Wednesday.
The committee on finance introduced an
article on the department of finance.
CITIZENS AS EMPLOYEES.
The consideration of the article on pub
lie works was renewed. After some minor
amendments had been made, Mr.. Dom
worth moved to add new section provid-
ing that only citizens or those having de-
clared intention for at least three months
should be employed on public works.
He was he said in q forcible speech,
which was attentively listened to, in favor
of perpetuating to all eternity the differ
ence between citizens and non-citizens of
this country. He denied that anyaman
would be prevented earning his living.
Any man who desired work in private en-
ployment could have it, Notwithstanding
this provision. No man could own an inch
of land in this state unless he had declared
his Intentions.
Judge Lewis had no doubt what the reso-
luton meant; they all knew what it meant.
It means that no man of those whom the
laws invite to come shall do any work on
the streets, but may starve for three
months. He would like to know in what
condition the streets of Seattle would have
been If such q restriction had been in
force. In Europe, where they have no
freedom, a man can have his son taught a
trade, but in free America the only places
where q man has right to learn q trade is
on the Indian reservation or in the peni-
tertiary without the4eave of certain unions.
There is not another nation under the sun
where such a provision as this proposed
would be insisted upon. 1t means that if
a man comes from Dublin or Berlin he
shall not do a days work for three months
on the public streets to get his family
food.
Il am . native-born American, descend
ant OF foreigners, and / desire to record
my vote against any such restriction"
Mr.. Collins said: 81 have had some ex-
perience in this; / landed in New York
friendless and alone. If such q prohibi-
ton had been in force might have been
without work for long time. l am op-
posed to prohibition of any kind, and es.
pecially to prohibiting q man earning a
living wherever he can"
Judge Greene believed in the rights of
man before the rights OF the citizen.
Every man has the right to earn his bread
by the sweat OF his brow; he has the right
to provide food for his family. He was in
favor OF leaving the city free and not
placing restriction upon it not imposed
upon any other community or upon any
private individual.
Judge Rochester said the subject had
not received due consideration. The oh
ject was not to keep bread from the mouth
of the foreigner. but to protect and prefer
the American, who was equally in need of
bread. He offered an amendment which
he said would meet the case Charity be.
gins at home, and having provided work
for our own people we shall be free to EN-.
ploy foreigners.
Following is the substitute:
In all public works preference shall be given
at all times TO citizens of the United States and
those who have declared their intention 10 be-
come citizens.
The happy solution was received with a
chorus OF II second that" Mr.. Donwortb
withdrew his amendment, and Judge
kechester's was promptly adopted.
EIGHT HOURS WORK.
Mr.. Young moved to add section that
eight hours shall constitute days work
Judge Greene said he was in favor of
eight hours work. 1t would be better for
US all not to work more. That is the senti.
ment of the people just now. But we are
making charter for all the peopIe. and he
was in favor in this instrument of LEAVING
the people free. Those who were inter.
ested could readily approach the CITY conn.
Gil and have the regulation made. This
provision would bind the laborinr man
equally with the city board and neither
should be so bound
Mr.. Young said that this was intended
to be broad charter. Why not incorper-
ate this wise provision and not leave il for
an ordinance3
Judge Lewis said when he starte5 worp
he did 1t from sunrise to shutdown. His
first work was in brickyard. That wav NJ
working has been changed now withont
any constitutional provision. He was in
favor Oh eight hours wo-k-thatis for labor.
ing men. For himself, he worked sixteen.
eighteen and twenty hours. He wouldn't
have any limit placed on him. He wanted
to work just as long as he pleased. Sun
the Masonic fraternity had laid down a
good theory OF the eight hour division, and
he thought 1t beautiful theory; but as the
city council will have full legislative power.
and they VIII be elected by just the people