The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-09-19
ONE CHANGE MADE.
First Amendment Adopted by
the Charter Revisers.
LAW DEPARTMENT COMBINED.
Discussion Upon the System of Deferred
Grade Payments-several Pro-
positions Referred.

AT the meeting of the charter revision com.
rnlttee, IN tie room OF the board OF aldermen,
last evening, there were present, MessrS Jacobs
furtn, korn, shipley, Jones, Miller, Hall. Pom
tlus ana hlttinger. The meeting was chiefly
taken up with the discussion OF the grade tax
question Ar. Firth favored the ten.year plan
MAKING the grade tax come due with county
ana steve taxes and the issuing of district ponds
10 pay Tor the i'm provements, the same TO mature
according as the grade tax is collected lie
thought the city should not be liable exeept in
case OF its failure through negligence to collect
ihe TAX. year ago. he said, such bonds bear
Ing 7 per cent interest would have sold readily.
but he did not know whether they eould 10 sis
posed of now at the same rate of interest He
thought, perhaps, IN a year or so 6 per cent
bond would find ready sale. He therefore
favored leaving the rate OF interest to be fixed
by the council, the charter fixing the maximum
rate
Mr.. Jones also favored the idea OF district
bonds on the ten-year installment plan but
thought that the wording of the charter should
be so changed as TO make il necessary for a
majority OF the property holders TO petition for
an improvement before it could be ordered
To take up the surplus funds accommodating
from grade taxes paid in advance, Mr. shipley
suggested that the bonds be so provisioned that
any portion OF them can be called in annually
He rather favors a five year system.
Mr.. Jones thought IL wise to consider the FIVE
year proposition, as the grading of the streets
ought to be completed and paid for before be-
ginning the work OF paving, ana it might be
best therefore to make the time five wears.
Nh. Korn was opposed TO relieving the city of
ultimate responsibility In case of the failure of
the district to pay, though he favored the ten
year system. He thought the bonds could be
soid at much lower rate Of interest If the city
secured them by its ultimate responsibility.
On motion Of Mr.. Kittinger, the question was
referred back to the committee with instrue-
lions to formulate a proposition.
The substitute of Mr.. Shipley for the proposed
amendment 90 article Is, providing for making
the corporation counsel the head OF the law de-
psrtment OF the city, by giving him the power
10 appoint city attorney and hold him respon-
sible for his work was adopted.
The last clause OF section 6, article l5 restrict
Ing the duties of the city attorney, was stricken
out.
motion TO amend section 2 OF the same arti-
Gle by making the one qualification of corpora
ton counsel four years practice instead of
seven was lost
The amendment offered by Mr. Kittinger pro-
vidng for making the board of public works
collector OF the water tax was referred to the f.
nance committee,
The amendment providing for the consoida-
ton OF the various boards into one board, to be
known as the board of city commissioners was
made the special order for the next meeting.
George Donworth presented his resignation as
member OF the committee, giving as a reason
the pressure of private business. The resigna-
ton was accepted and the chairman was in
structed to appoint memberto fill the vacancy.
Mr.. Furth suggested that the mem bers present
aid the chair in making a selection.
Mr.. kittinger suggested the name of J. T.
Ronald, and MI Furth suggested the name of
w. Lair Hill.
Chairman Jacobs said he would consider the
matter and fill the vacancy in due time.
The meeting adjourned to meet Monday even
ing next at 1850 clock prompt