The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-07-25

Vehicle licenses. ................. 5.73z 1l,34
s.saIsTs ',e Licenses 81 SSSS
Wharfage licenses. ............... Al x,433
Fines. Justices, collected . 3.0Ol s1,O96
In 1856 the entire revenue of the city from all
these sources amounted to 81, I76; in 1883 1t wa
yet only s6o.5-3; in 1890 il was $16S,5i6, an
increase in five years of $iG7 1913. Every line OF
the official reports is but repetition of the
story OF extraordinary growth.
LEGAL DEPARTMENT
The duties OF the legal department during the
past year have been unusually onerous and i'm
portant, and have been performed with great
ability and fsith.ulness by Mr.. Albertson dur
ing the period OF his incumbency aud also since
his appointment by Mr.. s. II. Piles, who, with
Mr.. J. 7. Ronald, has made grea. progress in the
collection of delinquent street grade taxes.
The city attorneys report shows that 2s9
ordinafa es were passed during the year, and in
clude such subjects of paramount importance
as the entire replattlng of the city after the fire,
the acquisition of the valuable property pur-
chased from Mr.. Yeser and others for the pur-
pose of public square and streets. the widen
ing OF streets. the accommodation OF railroads
seeking entrance to the city, and the issue of
bonds in the sum Of s955.000 for water and
sewerage purposes.
During the fiscal year l.09S. SIS was collected
from fines above and paid into the city treasury.
OF four actions and damages brought against the
city, three have been -; one for SEQ re-
suits IN verdict for $500; one for 5000 for ST.
and the third, $3.000 was decided in favor of the
city.
The recommendation of the city attorney that
q new compilation OF the city ordinances be made
is substantiated by his presentation Of the facts
and should be acted on at the earliest possible
moment
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The great event in the history of the Ore de
merged from the condition of volunteer serv-
ice into that of fully paid department. The
volunteer department. had rendered great serv-
ice, and never more so than in the terrible hours
during which the business portion of the city
was almost entirely reduced to ashes The
self-sacrificing devotion of the members of the
old brigade their untiring efforts in that dread
full struggle with the flames, will always entitle
them to the grateful recollection Of the people.
The new department. dates from October g.
1889, and between the last report of the depart
ment and that date there is no record of serv.
ice rendered or of the losses sustained. The de-
partment lost two of its engine-houses by the
fire of June 6, and has been in temporary quar-
ters ever since. The city has erected five new
engine-houses. and they are almost ready for
occupancy. These houses are of the most inn
proved modern design, and are pronounced by
judges to be unsurpassed by the houses of any
fire department In the country. The head
quarter house has been built on lot purchased
for the purpose on Columbia street, between
Sixth and Seventh, and will cost, when COM
pleted, about $4,000. In this house has been
hung bell Weighing 5000 pounds, being the larg-
est bell on the Coast. The second largest house
is on lot purchased at the corner of Battery
street and Third street. and is intended for two
companies. The third house, built for one
company. is located on lot previously own ed
by the city, at the corner of Third and Pine
q cd lot
purchased for the purpose on Main street, be-
tween South Ninth and Tenth streets, and
accommodates one company.
The fifth house TOR one company has been
built on the lot at the corner of Broadway and
Terrace. donated for the purpose to the city by
the heirs of the Terry estate. The total cost of
these five houses will be In the neighborhood
OF $5o,000.
The city has also under construction by the
Seattle Dry Dock and Shipping Company q
powerful fireboat, provided with all the latest
Improvements and appliances in this class of
vessel. The cost of the fireboat win be in the
neighborhood of $4,000 when she is fully
equipped.
The very complete report of Chief Kellogg Is
submitted herewith. II shows that the active
force consists of a chief, assistant chief and
thirty-two men, which force will be nearly
doubled when the companies are fully organ
ized on the completion of the new engine
second-clsss Ahrens engines. one third-class
Gould and one fourth-class Gould engine, one
double s0-gsilon chemical engine, one four
wheel hose reel. three hose wagons and O num-
Der of hand hose carts, two aerial trucks, one
hook and ladder truck and sixteen horses.
The large amount of material ordered other
than just enumerated. and the means taken to
keep up the character OF the men, should in
sure to Seattle a system uneQualed by any city
of its size as to equipment. and unsurpassed
sponded to seyenty-three alarms, the losses by
fire amounted to ss5,sl5. upon which the insur-
ance paid amounted TO s57, $50.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The public schools OF Seattle are not under the
control of the city government. but the annual
report of the superintendent Miss Julia T. Ken
nedy, to the board of education of the city of
Seattle for the year ending June q. $780, forms
interesting collateral evidence of the citys sd-
yancament and properly cells for com ment to a
review OF her condition. Miss Kennedy's report
shows as follows:
Population of the city by city census, 1850 A AS
school population, census of 1890
Males ............-...-.-..-... 4l0S
Total. .................. 1854
Number of children under school age
Aases -.....---..--.......-.... us
Females. -..............-.......... 1857
Total ........... .....,.....-............ 1850
Registration
Number pupils registered in lsSSlss6-