The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-06-06
WITH A NEW CHARTER
Advance Made in the System of
Government.
DROPPING VILLAGE METHODS.
Purchase of tho Water System-Paid
Fire Department Organixed-Fund-
ing OF tho Indebtedness.

of that passed by the territorial council in
1886, when the population was only about
10000, the movement was not very active.
The necessity for enlarged municipal
powers became so imperative after the ire
that it burst the statutory bonds. at the
constitutional convention, which assem-
bled soon after, ample authority was con-
ferred and the limit of Indebtedness raised.
The legislature vivified this by enactment,
and on October Il, 1890, the city assumed
the full regalia of a city of the trst class.
The city was then divided into four
wards. Robert Moran was mayor and the
city council consisted of Terence O'Brien,
C. +. Reitze, ID. T.. Durie, u. r. Niesz, 4.
]. Burns, Joseph Green, Thomas L. Jones,
James McCombs. O. d. Butterfeld was
chief of police, C. w. Ferris city clerk and
Isaac Parker treasurer.
Miss Julia Il. Kennedy was superintend-
ent of schools; II. o. Hollenbeck was
principal of both High school and Central.
With him were ]. d. Atkinson and E. A.
Shumway. The teachers of the grammar
department were: Jennie c. Lombard,
Title J. Piper, Lillian Burrows, Ida NJ.
Vrooman; of the primary department,
Katherine F. Cheasty, who died in Cali
fornia few weeks ago; Louise M. Root,
Mildred ]. Smith, Leila ]. Chisholm,
Helen L. Pearce, Carrie Shumway, Helen
G. Devoe.
Orris S. Jones was principal of the
Denny school and Frances e. Nickels the
vice principal; teachers of the grammar
department, Mary L. Condor, Eta E.
Alderman, Hettie L. Greene; and of the
primary department were: Lizzie Ward,
Flora A. Parsons, Nora l.. Latiner, Sarah
Chatham, Abbie i. Jones, Lizzie T.. Twiss.
Miss NJ. Foster and Miss Viola Hawkins
were principal and vice principal respec-
lively of the South school; Miss Rose Dow
ell and Miss Martina Johnston at the Jack
son school,
The city council was not only the legis-
lative but the executive body, the duties
of the board of public works and other de-
partments being undertaken by commit
tees. The water system was owned by the
Spring Hill Company, private corpora
ton, and the fire department was only a
volunteer organization, although it often
did good work.
The new charter provides a system of
government elastic enough to admit of
very large increase in population. The
executive branch of the government is now
headed by the mayor, who takes no part
in the proceedings of the Legislative depart
ment. For the first time in the history of
Seattle its mayor was accorded a salary,
and he will receive SIS, 900 year until the
city reaches population of 60,000 when it
will gradually increase. He cannot serve
two consecutive terms, and is ineligible to
any other municipal Office for two years
after the end of his term.
The city council consists of two CO.
ordinate bodies, the board of aldermen and
house of delegates, whose procedure is
very similar to that of the state legisla-
ture.
Under these general authorities are COM
missions through which the city depart
ments operate. The principal is the board
of public works, consisting of three men,
bers, at salary of 5000 year each, ap-
pointed by the mayor. and aldermen.
Under their direction, with heads of de-
partments, are the water-works purchased
by the city about the time the new charter
went into effect). the repairing and clean
ing of streets, the grading of streets for
property-owners, the construction of sew
ers, the erection and preservation of public
buildings, bridges and wharves, and the
purchase of all materials for the other de-
partments.
The fire department is controlled by the
mayor and four commissioners elected at
large, who serve without salary. They ap-
point the chief and all other subordinate
officers, all of whom are paid.
The police department consists of a
board of commissioners appointed by the
mayor and confirmed by the house of dele
gates. This board was recognized as being
controlled in most cities by politicians,
and extraordinary precautions were taken
to hedge in the members from sinister in
fuences. They must be confirmed by the
house of delegates as the popular body, no
two may come from the same ward. and
not more than two be of the same political
party. They retire in such rotation that
this proportion must always be main
tanned. They are forbidden, under strict
provisions. to take part in any political
primaries or conventions, and they are in
eligible for city Office for year after the
expiration of their term. This board ap-
points chief of police and all subordinate
officials.
The parks of the city are yet in a very
primitive condition, but it was considered
prudent to prepare for the time when the
city will stand in need of them. A COM
mission of five was accordingly created,
one retiring at the end of one, two. three.
four and five years respectively, so that
one will eventually retire every year. The
members receive $500 year salary, that
one having the shortest term to serve act
ing as chairman, provision in each of
the boards of which the mayor is not ex-
officio the presiding officer.
The movement toward foundation of a
public library at the time the charter was
being framed, led to the inclusion of an
article bringing such an institution within
the scope of the municipal government. It
has some distinctive features The COM
mission is composed Of five, of whom two
must always be women; and they are so
protected in their functions that no change
of the city government or political condi-
tons can interfere with line of policy.
In addition to these several Subdivisions
the machinery of the executive is other
wise materially changed. Most important
is the creation of the Office of comptroller.
who has exclusive charge of the books of
the city and the issuing of all warrants
upon the treasury. His department is. in
fact, a clearinghouse, which acts as a
check upon all sources Of expenditure. and
keeps tally of all provisions for income.
The sources of income are the same as in
the old charter. A tax levy of 10 mills
upon property valuation affords $3.50 600,
and the receipts from license fees and fines
are expected to yield about $40, 900.
The city has made some other radnal
changes in its system. Most iraportafYof