The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-23
THEY STRUCK A SNAG.
CITY Charter i'm Conflict With
Constitution.
NO AMENDMENT UNTIL 1892.
Changes Cannot BE Made Except at
General Elections A Special
Committee of Inquiry.

The charter revision committee met last night,
with MeSsrs. 7. W. Prosch, W. A. Snyder, J. T..
Ronald, r. W. waid, 7. ]. MeCorry, Z. Fl. Goidie,
NJ. A. Korn and s. ". shiplsy. Nessrs. Neufel-
der and Hanford were absent.
Mr.. Ronald called attention 10 the position OF
this committee. lie thought their work was
entirely supeTrogatoTy. as the charter was in
antagouism 10 the constitution. which provided
that after city had adopted a charter no
changes could be made except at general cleo
ton. By the time of the next general election,
March, Issss there might be some very serious
changes in the condition Of city affairs. Ii,
therefore, the committee agreed upon any
amendment TO the charter IL could not be sub
United 10 the people until the next general
election. The charter provides that amend
TneDts may be made at 9 special election, but the
constitution especially provides that it shall
orly be done at general election, and the Or
ganic law must prevail. He was willing to sit
there If the other members OF the committee
were, but il was question whether their iabors
would result in any benefit.
Mr.. Prosch thought they had better proceed to
a thorough investigation of the matter, and not
throw mp their work at that stage.
Mr.. koYn believed that the enabling net, which
gave the city the power TO make aeharter gave it
the power 90 make q change az any time.
Mr.. Ronald EXPLAINED that they could make
amendments, but not at a special election. =
The committee decided 10 20 on with the
business Of the evening, and meantime consider
the point raised.
Mr.. Goldic, tor Mr.. Hanford, as chairman OF a
committee, reported against making any
change in the article on the boundaries of the
city, wards or precincts.
After a desultory talk upon the general sub
jet OF extending boundaries and creating new
wards the report was adopted
Mr., Ronald then proposed that a committee
be appointed to investigate the apparent dis
crcpaDcy between constitution and charter.
Some OF the ablest members of the bar were on
the charter commission, and he would not,
therefore, set up his opinion authoritatiyely
against theirs, but be thought il advisable that
the committee be sure of IT, He desired, how
ever, not 20 be on the committee because they
knew his opinion, which was somewhat set.
After some discussion the chair, in compii-
ance with the motion, appointed Messrs. Ronald
and k0Tn 70 act with himself.
Mr. shipley thought il might be to the adj
vantage OF the city 70 have better opportunity
10 see the workings OF the charter. The officers
have been elected and appointed for two years.
and their terms could not be abrogated. In re-
ply TO question be said he felt that Mr.. Ronald
was right in his opinion without the least
doubt
Mr.. McCorry suggested that the committee
mission to the legislature empoweriDg then, iD 70
have amendments az special election.
Mr.. Ronald said that would do no good. a
s.stute could not amend the constitution. He
thought. as any amendment must pass the coun-
eli ninety days before election, they ought to be
getting 10 work some time before the end of the
year; perhaps September would be early enough.
Arrangements were made for a meeting OF the
special subcommittee, aud the advisory COM
mittee adjourned until next Thursday night
The objection raised by Nh j. r. Ronald fs
based upon section 10 of article Xf. of the state
constitution, wherein 1t is provided that ssSuch
charter may be amended by proposals therefor
submitted by the legislative authority OF such
city to the electors thereof at any general cleo
ton after notice of said submission" The
charter in article Xxx. says: Amendments
shall DC submitted to the qualified electors of
the city Tor their ratification at the next general
H. a n 70 al cd so-
the purpose by the city council before such
general election