The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-11-10
BOARD OF ALDEgMES.
The Charter. saloon Limits and the
Sewer Tunnel.


came up before the board OF aldermen. Mr.. VIZ
cox opened the ball by saying that his idea was
that the charter committee should have sub
raitted 10 the council ell amendments consid-
cred and not only those they bad adopted.
Miller asked If the board would not pass sill of
them now and let the people decide: 81 any
rate they had q chance TO vote again on them
sixty days hence.
Proposed amendment dividing the city into
nine wards, and fixing their boundaries, was
adopted.
Ingraham explained his position 20 be fol-
lows: He would vote in favor of each amend
rnent, and did not set himself mp as Judge for
the people
Sweeney said every amendment was n scheme
and was not framed for the benefit Of the peo-
pie.
Snyder said that If there was an attempt 20
gsg the members Of the board be wanted to see
IL texted
motion 70 adopt without reading proposed
amendment to elect ore member in each house
from each ward and striking out that portion
providing that no man can hold Office who IL in
any nay interested in contract with the city,
was r.ade II raised such storm OF protest
from Snyder, Sweeney and Wilcox that it was
withdrawn.
motion was then made 70 adopt the amend
ment fixing the salary of coancilmen at $500 per
year;..it was carried. Sweeney voting no.
Proposed amendment defining the advisory
board was passed without comment
Proposed amendment merging the fire and
police commissions into the board Of public
works was read. SNYDER moved to reject: Pom
titus moved 70 amend by adopting.
Snyder urged in support OF his motion that
1t twas a GENERALIZATION of power and would Gre
ate bigger ring than has ever been known,
even in New York. II would gag the press, as
meetings could be called which would be vir-
tually secret. Sweeney agreed with Snyder,
and added that the board of public works
had enough 70 do now.
Ingrahsm thought this was a very small
matter 10 urge. and believed in holding the
board of public works responsible. The amend
ment was adopted by vote of 20 8, Wilcox,
Snyder aud Sweeney voting no.
Bogardus moved 10 sdont without reading the
proposed amendment defining the manner of
paying for street Improvements in local assess
ment districts.
The motion was carried, Sweeney voting no.
Proposed amendment relating to the powers
Of the auditing committee. was passed by the
same vote as on the last proposition.
At this point Mr. Sweeney said he again pro-
tested against the consolidation of the boards as
even with the present power of the board he
would guarantee TO elect mayor.
Alderman Hail said the doctor had more con-
Gdence In the boards power to elect q mayor
than he had. [Laughter.1
The amendments relating to the changes in
the park commission provisions were passed
The proposed amendment relating to the Of
ice and qualifications of the corporation coun-
sci was read.
Mr. Wilcox was not in favor of shortening the
term OF service for corporation counsel He
thought the city had suffered enough from in
competent lawyers He thought seven years
practice not too long
Mr. Miller thought they needed young blood;
he considered that with three years active prac-
IN - ofec
ought 70 be qualified for the position
Mr.. Wilcox said he might have spent the
whole OF that time in a justices court
Mr.. Sweeney said he proposed to raise the
corporation counsels salary TO 5000; he was in
favor OF a frst-class lawyer for the position.
The short term was voted down, but The re-
mainder was adopted Mr.. Wilcox maintained
that the city should pay its legal ad visers good
salaries.
Proposed amendment fixing the mayors sal.
airy at =, 400 was read. Sweeney moved TO amend
by making the salary of the corporation counsel
5000 and the mayors 5000 He believed in
paying large enough salary TO secure good
men. especially In the case Of the corporation
counsel.
kosn was opposed to these high salaries and
said the office was stepping-stone TO q higher
place in a lawyers profession.
The amendment made by Sweeney was lost
by vote OF to L. The original proposition
couusel's salary 10 $4,000.
An amendment was offered by Sweeney to the
effect that no other salary than that attached to
the Office shall be paid 10 any employe of the
city; the amendment was lost
Proposed amendment fixing December 81 as
the date OF expiration of the terms of sppointive
officers was carried as was also the proposition
providing for the manner OF filing vacancies
Proposed amendment providing the method
OF amending the charter was adopted
communication was received from the FIRE
department asking for four moro men; the
house OF delegates granted the request
Messrs. snyder and Ingraham said ii was
absolutely necessary that two more men be
placed on ths freboat, and wanted
e. see the dreboat either taken out of comm,
sion or put in use. The question was opposed
ny Wilcox and Miller. Wilcox gave no partic-
MAR reason for his sntagonisn, but was opposed
or general principles. The matter was referred
to the fire aad vstsr committee.
A. Halherg's offer 70 repair the bulkhead on
Pins street for 800 was referred to the street.
committee.
The report Of the sewer committee recon-
mending hat the contract for the sewer tunnel
&c not let was read. Wilcox said Re did not
think ths city should do the work, as bsfore the
tunnel was finished Il would cost the city a
quarter OF a million dollars.
Nj Miller said that wilcox did not know any,
thing about what he tai king about, as he
would II he had been where he ought.
CAPTAIN SNYDER suggested that the matter be
delayed and another measurement taken on
December to ace what they would need.
Mr.. Korn said ne did not think the amount OF
$4,000 was correct; ne thought Il was much
more, and he would vote against the work be-
Ing completed by day labor
Mr.. Pon;ius said that all figures could he veri-
fed.
Mr.. Wilcox made long speech, the only
point of which WAS that the tunrel should Re
lined with stone. sni that the matter be acted
on At once.
Mr.. Pontius, continuing, said he had talked
1i;h several Of the heaviest taxpayers. al Of
whom were in favor OF completing the tunnel
BY day work.
motion 10 refer % the sewer committee was
carried by vote OF 10 l.
The petition Of Trinity Parish 20 grade q
portion OF Eighth street ~ their own expense.
die amount 70 lie deducted when the entire
street is graded, was read. Rev. C. II. Watson
spoke for the church. saying that about $1,000
would Re spent &C the church. aud il the petit
uon were net granted they would - Obliged TO
sop building. The petition was granted.
House eill sppropriating So, jl2So from the
ssiary fund, was passed.
hoard Of Aldermen bill 10 sell warrants and
nav policemen, 6renen and day lsborers in
s.sh when salaries do not exceed size Per
mouth, was referred TO De properly eagrossed.
The ordinance 10 extend the saloon
limits SO as 20 include the new Rsnke block ard
tho famous Juani,a house, y as further amended
20 include both sides Of Railroad avenue
Z, wa. nasssd with but one dissenting vote, that
al Mr. Ponsius-
Ordinance. to establish sewers on Banner,
olympic, Light and Harrison streets were
passed ,,..,a.,,or q, 80,