The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-08-31
SEATTLE. moyDAT. arc. 81.
THE MATTER OF CHARTER RE-
VISION.

Tonight the committee created by the
city council for the purpose of revising the
city charter will hold its first session. 1t
will probably do little more than make the
appointment Of another member required
to complete the organization and prepare
rules for its guidance.
The charter has hedged in proposed
amendments with a number of safeguards
90 that they may not be rushed through
without very careful consideration. After
the amendments have been agreed
upon by the committee, whose
functions are only advisory, they
will have to be presented in one of
the two houses of the council. If they or
any of them ''shall be agreed to by not less
than three-fifths of all the members of
each house." they must then be published
In the official newspapers for ten days. Not
less than sixty days thereafter they must
be again submitted to each house and
'pursue the same course before the council
and mayor as is pursued by an ordinance"
except that the majority must be three
ffths as before. If the mayor veto any
one it may be passed by two-thirds. They
will then be submitted TO the electors in
March next each one separately.
There seems to be general opinion that
the amendments to be made should not
be of radical character. or affect the
fundamental principles of the charter;
but that the work OF revision should ex-
tend only to such notifications as will
enable it to run smoothly. 1t is too early
to determine, for instance, whether the
dual council Is a success or not. 0bjec-
tons have been made TO 1t. but they can
be traced to inexperience of the councillors
rather than TO any defect in the system.
There is an idea prevalent that the cleo
ton of members of commissions has not
been so successful as its originators urged
II would be. It Is rather notable that the
boards which were appointed have shown
themselves much more amenable to pub
lie opinion, but there are reasons of public
policy why no change should be made in
the constitution Of commissions.
The principal amendment necessary Is
as to the system of ''time" payment for
street improvement. The excellent plan
of payment by bonds" has been declared
unconstitutional, except by vote of the
people, but that method would be altogether
too cumbersome and expensive, Article
VIII. sections to IL, needs remodel
ling, including the provision as to a sur
plus In local improvement funds. 1t
might be well to add section providing
for re-assessment in cases where no other
remedy for the adjustment of differences
between the city and property owners ex-
lists. This feature should receive the most
careful consideration of eminent counsel,
even If it became necessary 10 pay for it,
as 1t is matter of exceeding delicacy.
Taking the articles in their order, several
improvements suggest themselves. In
article H., the declaration of boundaries
may be changed to conform TO the city's
new lines; the addition of ward to take
in the new territory is already within the
power of the council.
In article III. a more precise definition
of "heads of departments" might be con-
venient.
Article ", section 2. should be amended
so that the mayor could he absent for a
short term, say fourteen days. without an
acting mayor having TO be appointed.
Article TX. needs to be made to conform
TO the state law on revenue and taxation.
Moreover, although taxes are made pay
able in November they do not become de-
linquent until March, and as there is no
penalty until then it practically defers
payment until that time.
Article XIV, on the legal department,
is sure of an overhauling. There is great
dissatisfaction at the division of response
bility, and lawyers generally express the
opinion that the law department should
be entirely under the control of the cor
poration counsel, with an assistant to look
after the criminal branch, instead of an in
dependent Office of city attorney. objec-
ton has also been made to seven years.
practice as too long probation.
Article XVI, on the judicial depart
ment, might as well be obliterated as the
city police court is governed entirely by a
state law.
One other very important reform is
called for by article XVIII. section II, as
TO election of councilmen in case of va
cancy. at least so far as it applies to alder
men. The election of delegate is a ward
matter only and not very expensive, but
the election of an alderman involves An
expense OF little short of $1,000. There
u no reason why vacancy in
the board should not be filed as other
elective vacancies are provided for by sec
ton Of article KIN, that is, appoint
ment by the mayor with confirmation of
the board.
1t has been suggested that consolidation
OF the departments of public works should
be effected, but all that is necessary can
now be done, except as 20 the collection of
water rents by the treasurer.