The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-09-16
UNION OF OFFICES.
Plan to Consolidate Three
Departments.
Three
CENTER OF RESPONSIBILITY.
Both Political Parties to Be Represented
-Corporation Counsel Amendment
Morning Council Meetings.

The charter revision committee held session
last night there being present Chairman Orange
Jacobs NJ Korn, s. VI. Shipley, A. 5. Miller, C..
| b. Bagley, George W. Hall, Frank A. Pontius
| and George B. Kittinger, with City Clerk Miller
| as secretary. The business was started by
Chairman Jacobs calling for the re-
ports of committees. Mr.. Shipley read
an amendment entitled article No ga This
amendment proposes TO create three city COM
| missioners who shall give proper bonds of
$4,000 each and be elected by the Joint houses
OF council The duties of these commissioners
shall be to act board of public works, police
commissioners and fire board. No two shall be
elected from the same ward, nor shall more than
two be of the same political party. The salary
shall be fixed at s., 900 per annum.
This would necessitate certain changes in the
makeup OF the city government, and amend
ments we're aecordinly submitted which would
change the city charter so as TO make it conform
to the new board. The amendment gives the
chiefs of the police and fire departments the
right to appoint all persons holding office in
their respective departments. The amendment
also states the qualifications that are TO be
quired IN ali who apply for position under the
municipal government
Mr. Bagley said that the amendment upon
hrst glance seems to be a good one, but he was
not satisfied in his own mind whether the city
council ought to have the power of electing
these important commissioners or whether they
should be elected by popular vote.
MI Hall regarded the proposed am endment as
OF great importance and thought it should be
printed and considered carefully.
Mr.. kittinger suggested that this be made the
special order OF business for the next meeting
The suggestion was adopted.
Mr.. VI. korn proposed that the city establish
stands for hacks and vehicles. Referred to
committee on executive department.
Mr.. Miller proposed that both houses meet on
Monday of each week at 10 O'Clock in the morn
ing. Referred to committee on legislative de-
partment and ordered printed Mr.. Miller also
proposed new method OF electing aldermen
and delegates. Ordered printed and referred to
the legislative department.
The special order of the evening was then
taken up. The proposed amendment, No IL, as
reported by the judiciary committee, reads as
follows:
The corporation counsel shall have full super
Ylsory control of all the litigation of the city
While the city attorney is the prosecuting officer
OF the city, as herein provided and has primary
control OF all the matters mentioned in the next
section; he shall. in all matters, consult with
the corporation counsel.
In all cases where the corporation counsel
may have been OF counsel against the city prior
to his election, it shall be the duty of the city
attorney to prosecute or defend as the case may
be, all such actions or suits, unless another
attorney be employed by the city council.
Mr.. Miller moved the adoption OF the amend
ment. This brought out full discussion which
resulted in a suggestion that the amendment
give TO the corporation counsel the right to ap-
point an assistant, who shall be known as the
city attorney. 1t was finally decided to refer
the clause back for further consideration.
Adjourned to Friday night