The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-14
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
Movement Toward Collecting
Grade Taxes.
SALOON LIMIT ORDINANCE
Urgent Need of Settling Williams Con-
tract-what Number Consfi-
tute n Majority.

The board Of aldermen last night again wres-
tied with Benezette Williams contract ard
evsded tie Issue. The saloon limits were cast
aside by brief but effective ordinance The
franchise for which the Rainier Avenue Electric
Railway Company has petitioDed caused
lengthy wrangle and left the board with so little
remaining energy that 1t referred the appropria-
ton ordinance to the finance committee with
out word OF debate.
TIE MAJORITY.
President Hall stated that the question had
been raised in the other house as TO what con-
s;itUted majority. His ruling was that seven
members being present, with two vacancies.
four was majority. This ruling was approved.
WILLIAMS cosTRAcT.
J. F. Wilmer, representing Benezetfe Williams,
gave notice that any action taken by the city
government TO remove him would be considered
breach OF his contract with the city.
Mr.. BogarGus moved 70 refer the matter TO the
FIRE aud water committee and the corporation
counsel
President Hall stated that the mayors ad-
visory committee had reached the conclusion
that settlement ought TO be made with Mr..
Williams in order to avoid lawsuit. Mr.. VIII
cox described the notice from Mr.. Williams as
bluf. Mr. Pontius urged the wisdom of
avoiding a lawsuit and President Hall
structed the corporation counsel 10 draw an or
dina8ce for the settlement OF the matter by ap-
pointing Mr. Williams consulting engineer Mr.
snyder moved an amendment that the matter be
laid over until the second succeeding MS citing
but President Hall still urged that a settlement
be made with Mr. Williams in accordance with
his agreement. Mr. Miller said the corporation
counsel had told him that the only way TO settle
it was 10 pass an ordinance removing Mr. VIII
Hams from his position as consulting engineer,
but, II they did SO. Harris & Co. would not re-
IN
the bonds.
The subject was finally postponed until the
second meeting.
NO RELIEF FOB THE DAY NURSERY.
A petition from the managers of the day
nursery for the remission of license of 500 for
the intelligence Office was read and referred to
the committee on license and revenue, the pres
ideDt stating that the old council had found no
law for the remission OF license TO any one
party. The petition recites the good work done
BY the day nursery, and states that the intelii-
gence Office is a considerable source of revenue
for the institution, without which it could not
wei be carried on.
LIQUOR LICENSES GRANTED.
A joint resolution granting licenses to Hey
man q Fisher, I,2I2lz Front street: j. Wegert
southeast corner of Yesler avenue and south
Third street and A. G. Lindberg & Co., south
west corner Of Weller and Second streets, was
passed finally.
A joint resolution providing for the improve
ment OF Division street was amended TO read
'.from Randolph street to Clarence street." the
cost OF the Improvement being left blank Mr..
Miller explained the leaving OF blanks was in
accordance with the charter. and the resolution
was passed finally.
TO COLLECT GRADE TAXES.
An ordinance to authorize the corporation
counsel 10 employ assistant or assistants to
collect delinquent grade taxes was read 1t
authorizes the assistant TO take immediate
charge of the work, and requires him to bring
suits and 10 furnish a statement to the board OF
aldermen showing the exact status Of each suit
Ii gives the corporation counsel power TO re-
move such assistants il they do not paw enough
attention to the work. II gives the assistant 10
per cent. on all tax collected of date up to Jan
nary 70, lsso and per cent on all tax collected
OF later date.
MIR. Hall said that the attorney formerly en-
ployed 10 collect delinquent grade tax had
skinned of the cream and left the milk for
some other attorney He proposed that the date
up To- which the attorney shall receive 10 per
cent. be 1857 or IeSs.
Mr.. Miller said that Judge Jacobs had advo-
Gated making the date 1880. The object was to
get some young attorney to push these cases.
such men as Robert Calligan, Jesse W. George
and ]. F. Mcknight, who were suing the city
for the PAYMENT of scrip. were exactly the men
who had failed TO pay their grade taxes.
The ordinance was changed to allow per
cent. commission on ali collections of grade tax
which had become delinquent since January 20,
1859
Objection was raised TO the rate of per cent.
commission on collections OF delinquent taxes
since lss9, Mr.. Snyder thinking it a little too
steep. but Mr.. PontiRs said tasi they could not
get any man 10 take the work for less. A long
collccuy followed between President Hall aud
Mr.. ilcox as to whether the ordinance provided
that the assistant must sue all delinquents, the
latter being unable 10 understand il. Mr. viii
cox tried 20 explain his reasons for not voting
on mai passage, but was ruled out OF order
and finally voted yea. The ordinance was passed
finally.
ORDINANCES
An ordinance providing for the establishment
OF an electric light at the southeast corner OF
Tenth and Pike streets was passed finally
An ordinance 10 more fully organize the board
OF health and prescr be its duties was referred
Ia the COMMITTEES on health and police the chair
stating that it covered two subjects, rs it fixed
pena ty. IL provides fine OF $40 TO 81 for re-
fusai or neglect 10 yacatc buildings pronounced
unfit for human habitation.
An ordinance apprOprgting $50 per month. sub
1ect 10 the order OF the corporation counsel. for
costs and disbursements in the superior court,
was passed.
An ordinance TO more fully prescribe the
duties oil the health officer was referred 10 the
committee on health and police, Mr.. snyder
saying that II embraced bushel OF subjects
SALOON LIMITS.
The following ordinance was introduced by
Mr.. Miller:
THAT the resolution passed by the city coun-
Gil October 4, 1889, establishing saloon limits De
and the same is hereby repealed.
mo license shall be granted Tor the sale OF in
toxicatlng liquors in any block where church
or public school is situated"
Mr. HAN said the ordinance would be inopera-
tive, as the present license ordinance forbade
the granting of license within two blocks OF
public school.
Mr.. Bogardus pointed out that this ordinance
repealed the saloon limits.
Mr.. Wilcox said that the council was trying 10
shirk the responsibility OF licensing saloons
and the saloon limit was established by the old
council 10 evade that responsibility
Nj. horn condemned the saloon limits and
said they old not propose 10 beat the devil
sround the stump, but wanted To be open and
above board. II license ought TO be granted
let them grant II. but not practice unjust dis.
elimination by eonhning licenses TO a certain
district
Mr. Pontius suggested the extension of the sa-
loon limits as 70 take in the blocks around the
new courthouse, for instance. Referring 10 the
second section. he said there was a movement 10
establish saloon across from Cordray's theater
though II was right across the street from a
church.
Mr.. Miller said this ordinance would give the
city hotter system than IL had now Tor il was
not likely that any man would apply for a IL
eense tor saloon adjoining a residence
he ordinance passed finally: AyeS-Korn
Miller, snyder, Wilcox and Hall: nays-Bo-
gardus and Pontius.
The JANITog UNDER YrRE
Guy C. Phinney complained in regard 70 the
nlthy and sloyenly condition in which the city
ianiior was keeping the city quarters. and
PRAYED that steps be taken 10 have the huildiu,
Kept IN order ne matter was referred to the
committee on public buildings. which later re-
ported IN fsyor OF the janitor's dismissal On
motion OF Mr.. BCrGrdCs consideration, Ms 1e
ierred until the next meeting
An ordinance 20 gDlate the business of