The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-08-01

Aldermen Compromise With
the Firemen.
MAIN FEATURES PRESERVED.
It VIII Now Have to 60 Before the
House of Delegates-Carriedb by
Bare Majority of Votes.

The board OF aldermen passed the retrench-
ment bill last night by vote of 5 to after max
ing two changes in the section referring to the
salaries of members of the fire department The
matter was brought up BY the reading of the fol-
lowing remonstrance signed py a large number
OF business men and citizens, protesting against
any reduction in the fire department:
To the Honorable City Council of the City OF
Seattle -Ge'ateaen: Your petitioners would re-
speetfully represent:
First-That they are all business men and tax
payers, and that they are directly interested in
whatever affects the interests of the community
and believe that the eity's prosperity is meas
ured by the prosperity of its business interests.
Second-Your petitioners believe that the at
tempt 10 cut down the fire department as pro-
posed by the so-called retrenchment bill now
under consideration by your honorable body, is
direct blow aimed at the credit and prosperity
OF the city, for the reason that reduction of
the fire department will undoubtedly be fol-
lowed by an advance in insurance rates equal,
in all probability, to those of years ago. The
fires which are constantly occurring in our
midst demonstrate the necessity for the amplest
protection, not only for our own safety. but for
our credit abroad.
Third-Your petitioners pray that your hon.
orable body will adopt no measures or encour-
age no policy looking to reduction in the mem
Ders OF the fire department or in the impairing
OF its efficiency by the adoption of scale of
wages lower than the services to be performed
are reasonably worth, or than will secure the
best material for the services. And your petit
TONERS will ever pray.
Alderman Korn said the retrenchment COM
mittees had been appointed some time ago with
view TO a reduction of salaries; that tho news
papers urged retrenchment in every department
and not single taxpayer then raised an objec-
tion, but now when the council attempts to do
something, circumstances come in. II do not
know said he, .'what we can do. am now in
favor of further consideration of the matter.
move that this remonstrance and all matters
pertaining to this reduction be referred back to
the retrenchment committee.
Alderman Sweeney presented a statement of
receipts and expenditures for the past six
months and argued that there was no real occa-
sion for the cry of retrenchment. He thought it
originated in some Eastern city for the purpose
of depreciatipg Seattles bonds. "I believe in
retrenchment," said he, 'sbut am not in favor
Of cutting down the fire department. nor the
police force"
Alderman Wilcox attacked the measure, de-
voting his arguments mainly to what he con-
sidered a refutation of the editorial comments
of the daily papers the bill. When he sat
down Alderman k0rn jumped up and remarked:
81 am glad Alderman Wilcox let off his steam"
He then withdrew his motion TO refer
Alderman Pontius moved to amend the bill by
raising the salaries of members OF the fire de-
partment to $50, instead of SOS, and the lieuten-
ants to $50 instead of SIS. The amendment was
adopted.
The bill was then read the third time by Sec
tions. Section 1 was changed so to make the
appropriation for the fire department CORE
spond to the change in the salaries of the fire.
men.
On motion of Aldermen Pontius the bill was
put upon its final passage. Those voting in the
affirmative were: Ingraham, Korn, Miller,
Pontius and Hail. Those in the negative were:
Snyder, Sweeney and Wilcox. The only men,
Der absent was Bogardus.
The ordinance fixing the salaries in each par
la fhsaxx nhA -
appropriation ordinance. and was read three
times and passed by the same vote.
The ordinance appropriating money out of the
different funds to meet the current expenses of
the different departments for the ensuing five
months was read three times and passed by the
same vote.
The amounts thus appropriated for the re-
mainder of the year are as follows:
Street OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. 1000