The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-29
Amount due SIR. williams.

Amount due Sir. Williams. ........ s2l,soo
Mr.. Hebron said the matter had been
referred To the board of public works, with
committees Of both houses. They had
made \ careful investigation and their re-
port had been submitted 10 the houses.
The proposition then was 10 pay Mr.. Will
Jams 5000 in addition 10 the $1,000 paid,
and that Mr.. Williams be employed at
81 90 a year while actually employed on
the work That would be $1,000, or only
500 more than if they made the settle
ment on the proposed basis. Mr.. Hebron
said the city would he compelled TO hire an
expert or specially qualified engineer to
assist the city engineer. Suppose they call
in a stranger Mr.. Williams would be en-
tirely relieved from responsibility for any
failure of the work. In the proposition he
was also TO be paid 81 900 for the sewerage
system Now, they all knew that such a
system was absolutely needed, and Mr..
Williams had prepared plans for it. 1t
was true the original intention was not to
charge for these, but that was in
view of the idea that his entire
proposition was To be accepted. If they
believed Mr.. Williams not competent the
sooner they got rid of him the better, but
he felt satisfied from inquiries that he had
a very high and tlattering reputation
among hydraulic engineers. He suggested
that although the charter required the city
work, Mr.. Williams might be engaged as
consulting engineer.
Mr. Kittinger moved that it was the
sense of the committee that they again
submit the ordinance drawn up at the
time of that proposition.
Mr.. Hall asked if that was agreeable TO
Mr.. Williams.
h Mr.. Williams said he had readily assent
ed at that time on what were exceedingly
reasonable terms. But since then they had
annulled his contract altogether. He had
also been put TO considerable expense, and
he would not accept that proposition now.
Just at present he would prefer 10 waive
the question as to future employment. at
least until they decided what was due him
under the contract.
President Jones said that the opinion of
Mr.. Hebron was that of a majority of the
committee at this time.
Judge Jacobs said there was section of
the ordinance drawn up in harmony with
the charter; there was a provision for a
consulting engineer.
Mr.. korn moved that Mr.. Kittinger's
motion be laid Oh the table.
The vote was announced as Z against
laying on the table and 5 in favor.
The clerk did not call the names of He'll
bron or Rinehart, but only the name Of
the chairman of the board of public works.
Mr.. Hebron said he believed he was en-
titled to vote; he thought all the members
of the board of public works were mem
bers of the advisory board; but it was
duty, and not privilege, and he was not
pleading for permission TO enter.
Mr.. Hall said his reading of the charter
was that only heads of departments and
chairmen OF commissions were members.
Major Rinehart thought it q matter of
sufficient consequence 10 he decided.
The mayor read the provision of the
charter establishing the advisory board.
1t is as follows: There is hereby consti-
tuted BODY TO consist of the mayor and
the heads of all departments of the city
| government, TO be called the advisory
board"
Mr.. Hall said if all the members of all
the commissions were members of the adj
visorv board, then the police commission
ers, fire commissioners, board of health,
library commissioners and park commits
sioners ought to he there.
The mayor said he believed they should
be; all heads of departments should be-
lie then read section 3, article III. defin-
ing "heads of departments: 1.-The mayor
shall be deemed the head of the executive
department, the pr esidents of the houses
of the city council shall be deemed the
head of The legislative department, and
the members of the commissions or boards
created by this charter and the principal
unsubOrdinated officers in DEPARTMENTS
wherein there is no commission or board
constituted by this charter shall be deemed
heads OF their respective departments.
The mayor said he had nothing to do
with the result: he was compelled to con-
strue the charter as he found it.
A long discussion took place upon the
point raised, and Mr.. kittinger's motion
was about to be put, when Mr.. Wilcox
raised the point that they did not have q
ma ority present.
The question was put and the vote stood
Ayes, 10; noes. the chair ruling that
Messrs. Hebron and Rinehart were en-
titled TO vote
Mr.. Hall said that at the next meeting,
If there was not majority of all the com
missioners present, he would raise the
point OF no quorum. He did not think the
mayors ruling would hold water
MIR. Williams announced that he would
not accept the terms of the ordinance
Mr.. Ames appealed from the decision of
the chair as to all members of 4 commits
sion being members of the advisory board.
He thought the chairmen of the commits
sions were the heads of their respective
departments.
A long discussion took place. and Judge
Jacobs finally said that he considered that
| only the chairmen of the commissioners
were the heads of those departments.
The question rs TO the mayors ruling
was then put. ''Shali the decision of the
chair ne sustained?" and it was over
| ruled.
A motion to adjourn was then put.
Judge Jacobs said he would hike 10 see
| the city act justly 10 Mr.. Williams, and it
would be better for the city council TO
show disposition 10 give serious, sober
| and deliberate consideration of his claims.
Mr.. Williams asked If the motion to adj
! lourn would mean the end of all negotia-
| tons. He desired il to be distinctly under
| stood that he made no proposition, hut
had only, laid down his. legal claim He
~. Il. Z
| celled its contracts and then refused 10
make au amicable adjustment
Judge Jacobs said the city had made
| what they considered fair and reason
| able proposition, and if there was but one
| side TO the question that was the end of
| II, and there Was no need 10 talk of COM
| promise. If a lawsuit was to be the in
| evltable result of this contract. he would
/ say let us have It. But he said again. and
| he thought he voiced the general septi
| meuts when he said he was willing TO make
compromise. II Mr.. Williams thought
he had the city by the throat let him go
| ahead, let him crack his whip.
For his part, he was willing to try and
| compromise. but he was unwilling In
| jeopardize his reputation rs q LAWYER nv
| admitting proposition he did not feel nc
! could sustain. For his part, he was done
| With this phase of the matter: bur he said
| here IN the presence of Mr. Williams thai
| TINS city l. willing 10 meet him ON any
| equitable terms of compromise. bnt as of-
| fers seemed likely to be made the nrire
| went up and he did not like that sort of
/ thing.