The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-07-10
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
The Salary Reduction Bill Re-
ferred to Committee.
GENERAL EXPENSES FOR JUNE.
Attention Called TO the Need Of Sewer
1t the South schooI-PIans for the
New City Orices.

TIE salary rstrerchmcnt ordinance which was
voted down recently was recalled by the board
OF aldermen last night upon motion 10 recon-
sfter Ii provides for specific appropriations Tor
each of the departments within which the ex-
pcnditure il 70 be limited. 1t covers the period
from August 10 December 81.
Mr.. Korn moved to place 1t on final passage.
Mr. Wilcox was not opposed TO retrenchrnent,
buf he thought they should proceed legally.
The charter was very clear, and they could not
change salaries during terms OF ofiiee-hoiders
He was in favor of cutting down expenses one
half. il necessary, but let them proceed legally.
He said they might as well cut down the force
Of the hreboat. The only time IL was ever
needed 1t didn't have steam up. He deprecated
the proposition to act In contrayention to the
charter.
pay OF 4 policeman could not'be altered within
one wear OF his appointment. He thought II
they wanted to rstrench they should go to the
Offices and not where the ordinance could not
reach He accused the Republican party of be-
ing responsible and thought 1t was the duty of
the party to insist upon the heads Of depart
psrtrnents themselves cutting down the num-
Der of officials.
Mr.. Hall-you are wrong, Mr.. Sweeney; the
charter commission was equaliy divided as TO
politics
Mr. Korn snid he was as much IN favor OF pay
ing men we'll as anybody, but the city needed
20 refrench. He felt satisfied that most OF
those men who were affected would consent TO
the reduction. He reminded the board that
they must do their duty to the taxpayers as the
first consideration.
Mr.. Pontius was in favor OF the ordinance. He
felt satisfied that they could get competent en-
ploycs at the salaries offered. He believed in
good wages, aud he thought those proposed
were ample
Mr.. Wilcox moved that ell salaries fixed by
charter be left unchanged.
Mr. Pontius said that all who were affected
had consented to the reduction.
Mr.. Wilcox wanted to know what was the
good Of passing the bill thea; the mayor might
just as well leave the difference in the treasury.
Mr.. Sweeney said II the officers were willing
to submit to a reduction they ought to do 1t in
writing Those who thought they were getting
too much salary ought TO reduce IL themselves
He quoted figures from the comptroller's report
70 show there was need of rctrenchment, but
they could not he maintained, do 1t by this bill.
He moved that il be referred back to the3 Judi
ciary committee and submitted to the corpora
ton counsel, in that the board might be
informed wherein the ordinance was in conflict
with the charter
Mr.. Korn said the retrenehment committee
had had the matter under consideration long
time. They had legal advice. and it was impos
sible 70 bring 10 in any other way. Let them
either pass IL or reject it. 1t was good bill, and
II IL did not do all that was wished, 1t went a
long way in the right direction.
The bill was referred to the judiciary commit
Tee by u vote Of 10 8
Yeas Miller, Sweeney, Wilcox, Bogardus.
Nays-korn, Pontius, Hall.
Al ordinance appropriating money to pay bills
was passed as follows: General fund, s., 1857;
water. s7,s0290; fire, sl,i5asi sewer, sl,6s9.6i;
street, slSl9.3i; police, s5fS.3i harbor. sl24o5:
public health, s921 81; street light s27e2 IS; in
terest account, $4,000: city park, s2S5.
Mr.. Korn moved that $3.50 be deducted from
the amount for the park fund.
Mr.. Pontus said the board did not object to
the dill. but would ask the commissioners to
serve without pay.
Mr.. Bogardus asked why the commissioners
could not pay the amount back to the treasury
Tho amendment was agreed TO and the bill
passed.
The subject OF a sewer on Temperance street
srought Mr.. Wilcox to his feet with a vigorous
protest against any sewers being ordered until
the South school had been provided with proper
>anitary arrangements. He described the condi-
hon at the scoool an horrible.
The ordinance was passed. Mr. George DON
forth making strong argument on behalf o.
ne affected property owners.
Mr.. Wilcox, for the committee on public build
u
ng as they proposed 10 re arrange it,
Mr.. Sweeney differed with the majority OF the
committee, and proposed several notifications.
There was considerable discussion as to mat
ters OF detail; although everybody seemed salts
he'd with the plans whole, there was great
difficulty in getting at a result.
Mr.. Miller said that rather than sit in the room
set apart Tor the board as it now is he would re.
sign He was willing To spend s., 90 IL would
. u hAf tha affx
1t own hall. He believed in retrcnchment. but
not in this RIGHTEOUSNESS; the building ought
70 be put into habttahle condition
Mr.. sweeney said the plans of the chief of NO.
lice alone would cost sl.ooo He thought the
board OF public works should be restricted as to
outlay
Mr.. Hall remarked that they conld be sure the
board would not move without instructions.
II was agreed to adopt Mr.. wilcox's plan and
the board of public works was directed TO pro
coed with the alterations.
Mr.. korn introduced an ordinance prohibiting
the sale OF swin milk or sdulterated milk: re-
ferred to committee on health and police
License committee introduced an ordinance
extending saloon limits; passed A license was
approved for w. f. Curric.
petition was received from Mrs Iav.on this
widow OF the fireman killed recently. asking for
assistance; referred to the IRE aud water com
mittee
memorial from the Womans Christian Tenn.
reranee Union. FOR the appointment of police
matron, was referred 10 the health ami police
committee
Report of the judiciary committee recon-
mending that the public offices be closed Sstur-
day afternoons during the summer was called
up for reconsideration. The bill failed to pass
Petition of J. $. Maggs for correction of the
assessment roll was granted.
Petition of King county commissioners for
permission tograde west half of Eighth, between
Alder and Terrace, was granted
Inc proposed agreement with the Buckius
heirs was referred to the street committee
Application of Providence hospital a. so taxs,
was adversely reported.
Inc ordinance for The grading OF Twelfth
street by immediate payment was passed.