The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-09-11
A BATCH OF CHANGES.
Several Amendments to the
Charter Suggested.
REDUCING THE COMMISSIONS.
The Mayor Not to Be Chairman OF Any
Board-Eow to Consolidate the
Legal Department..

The chair appointed two committees as agreed
20 at the last meeting. That on the legislative
department is composed OF 4. 3 Miller, K ".
Jones, e. W Hall, and the executive committee
is s. NJ shlpley, G. B. Kittnger, NJ. Korn.
The first article taken up was that on the Law
department, the committee recommending thai
the department be under the direct supervision
of the corporation counsel, the prosecuting al
torney to take charge Of criminal matters, bu'
IN all questions OF importance the head OF ths
department ia to be consulted
Mr.. Furth said his view had been that all the
legal business Of the city should be intrusted to
the corporation counsel. and that his assistant
should attend to the criminal part.
Mr. Andrews replied that It was thought best
20 keep as close to the present lines of the
charter az possible. They had recognized that
there was a great deal OF work imposed upon the
corporation counsel They hoped that the grace
tax cases would become lighter as the people
got to understand how the assessments were
made. Mr.. Andrews also referred 10 the
poll tax case, wherein the corporation couhsel
had not even been consulted, and question OF
the magnitude involved in that case should not
have been passed over without giving MN
chance to be heard on behalf Of the city. MI
Andrews also pointed out the absolute necessity
of a clerk.
Messrs Kittinger and Shipley advocated con-
solidating the Offices.
potnted out I'm some detail the reasons why
closer relations should be maintained between
the legal officers. He said he had drawn
300 ordinances, and many OF them being drawn
for the first time under the new charter had 10
be subjected 10 the test afforded by very careful
research among authorities He had,also had to
draw d great many resolutions. He could
speak freely, because he did not intend TO be
corporation counsel sgain, and he strongly adj
yised that the city do not make the mis-
take of Gripping the law depart
ment. The grade taxes alone
amounted 10 100000. which had accumulated
simply because OF Tire penu-i0usness of the city
in securing adequate legal counsel. He had
known OF former city attorneys who had sworn
that they could not attend to the city's business
for the amount they were paid. He would not
mention any names Judge Jacobs showed the
enormous amount of business now thrown Upon
hiIn-the current litigation alone involving
the tide flats, and the questions arising there
from, the new city charter, and its Gu-
tried provisions, with OIL sorts of suits,
all thrown upon a lawyer to be dealt with re-
sponsibly If this city wishes to keep its
finances in good condition it must have Il bet
ter legal force than it ever had before. city
wanted the best legal talent TO be had and they
could not get 1t without paying for it. He re-
fcrred to the awtwardness OF part of the grade
cases being ont among other lawyers by con-
stock of all lawyers.
Mr. Andrews took tho ground that the civil
and criminal departments should be kept sepa-
rate, and made strong argument In support of
his view. No one man capable of attending
TO all the civil business of the city; the council
should certainly give him assistance.
After further discussion the subject was made
a special order OF business for tho next meeting.
Mr.. Andrews said he was counsel for several
people who were interested III grade taxes, and
he asked to be excused from acting on matters
concerned Herewith.
Mr.. shipley said he was also in that position;
be was counsel for several who contested the
validity Of assessments for street iInpr oyements
1t was resolved that Judge Jacobs be author
lied to make a report on the proposed method of
re-assessment, which has already been pub
lished.
The amendment to the payment by bond sys-
TEN of street improvement was then taken up
aud Judge Jacobs propO sition read. IL is much
the same as now, except that it avoids imposing
direct liability upon the city.
Judge Jacobs explained that by the charter
the relations between the Cit and the bond
holders were those of debtor and creditor, but
this changed 1t and placed the liability on the
city only in case of negligence on its part
Mr.. Bagley suggested that bonds be voted
upon by the people which would be issued by
the city but paid, before, by the property
cWnefs. lie Thought II S&1bUbJ were voted ut
one time they could be given out in amounts as
needed.
The whole subject referred to the com
mittee of which Mr.. Shipley is chairman.
Mr.. Hall called attention t. the absence of any
provision for retiring these street bonds in case
property owners desired to pay the amount due
before the end Of ten years.
Mr.. Furth said the point could be covered hv
ordinance, he thought It best not to tie the
hands Of the council, but leave the time to their
discretion within ten years limit
Afr. Andrews submitted proposition TO make
the police board consist of three commissioners
only. and the fire board the same number to be
elected as now. Mr.. Jones wanted To make
each board consist of the mayor and chairmeu
OF the respective committees
Mr.. Hall said ons 0l the best features of the
charter was keeping the council purely legis-
lative body; he, therefore, opposed Jones
amendment.
The amendments were referred to commit
tees and adjournment taken until Tuesday
night.