The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-09-10
ONCHARTER REVISION
Chamber of Commerce Takes
Up the Problem.
VARIETY OF VIEWS EXPRESSED.
Some Members Advocate One House,
Others Less Politics, Others
One Responsible Head.

The E1dr1Der OF Commerce met t41f u1E1t fDr
the consideration Of the revision Of the city
charter and entered into general discussion Of
that document No action was taken beyond
tscif understanding that each OF the members 10
90 provide himself with copy of the charter
and be prepared 70 make definite suggestions az
q future meeting There were about twenty
Eve members preseat and before entering into
The discussion on the charter, the invitation
from the Taeoma Chamber OF Commerce 20
visit the exposition on Saturday. September IL.
which has been set apart as Chamber OF Com
Eeroe day, was taken up. The committee on
transportation reported that the Northern Pa
esie railroad offered 20 make one and one
affh rate for the round trip, and that no steamer
large enough could he chartered for the trip;
that the regular steamers would not make q re-
drced rate
secretary Dodge stated that be received teie-
e1an from the secretary OF the Tacoma Chamber
d Commerce., stating that the chambers of CON-
erce and boards OF trade of all the cities Ia the
stats have been invited. and It was the intention
g bare Joint nesting a. o'clock in the after.
r0cn for the consideration OF matters OF general
Importance To the state.
Il was finally decided to go on the $50 O'Clock
frsin IN the morning and the general sentiment
was thai a. many OF the msmbcrz as possible
should 80. Nearly all the members present sig
rifed their intention OF goirg. Tie secretary
wss Instructed 10 procure seventy I've badges
for the oeession and all thee d. iring to 20 are
requested TO notify him in the meantime.
G. a. Kit.inger stated that not more than one
shirsi of the space allotted for King county ex-
hibin win be occupied b. the exhibits so far
promised. He urged the members 10 use their
influence toward inducing manufacturers in the
citv &c arrange for exhibits of their products
Hs said he could not visit Kent and other small
towns In the county, but hoped they would not
nezieef 70 prepare exhibits and that lie would
take care OF ali the articles sent for exhibition
from the county and return them 10 the owners
Tee Of charge
Secretary Dodge read the following letter from
II W. Durant, who is not a member OF the
s5&nber, making suggestions for the revision of
GO charter:
Permit me 70 suggest a few changes that
4 seens 70 me ought to be made in
- city charter for the consideration of the
nssEHg 20 be held in your chamber this
essaszx.
as<cnon /, article should read as follows:
LerAStive depsrtment-An legislative power
ftsl Be vested in q mayor and q city council.
bhich shall consist OF one house, namely, q board
Fishermen.
The board of aldermen shall consist of two
MANNERS elected from each ward, and each ward
shall nominate and elect members OF sad
board of aldermen its own citizens.
-chAnges are not recommended in the execu-
tive, clerical. library, Law, finance and judicial
departments, except as TO salaries.
"Ths police department-Do away with board
OF police commissioners: chief of police 10 be
appointed by the mayor.
Department OF public works-Do away with
the, board OF public works: commissioner of
public works to be appointed by the mayor
sanitary departnent-Do away with the board
OF health; health commissioner TO be appointed
by the mayor.
"Fire department-Do away with board of fire
commissioners Chief OF fire department to b
appointed by the mayor
"Harbor department-Tobe under the control
II the commissioner Of public works
purchasing agelt-To be appointed by the
MAYOR
should be conducted in a. rigidly economical 8
manner as 10 consistent with honesty and eff
cheney, and upon strict business prineipIes
Therefore, ali public Offices should be open and
ready for business from a. N. TO D. m during
the summer months, and from q. m. 10 .. m
during the winter months. The present charter
requires only seven hours service. Why should
sveryb body else be obliged to labor ten hours
O. more each day 10 obtain the means 10 pay for
the services OF those who work only seven hours
Or less
The head of each department should choose
his own slbordinstcs and decide as TO the COM
pensation they ought 10 receive, for they ought
10 be the best judges of their qualifications and
the value of the services they render.
at is the dnty OF the city government to aid
and encourage in every proper way the bust
ness interests and enterprises of our own city.
Therefore. IN making contracts, improvements
and purchases for any department, preference
should be given, everything being equal, "a
the business firms of seattle. Each head
Of departments ough: 20 know better
tan any one else the quantity. quality and par
4 "a
use OF his department. When such head of de-
putmeht has Ascertained what he wants. let
hi make reqnisition upon the purchasing
kent. who shall buy TO best advantage. said
aeent % keep correct account Of purchases
made and where delivered, doing in all respects
the same as though he was serving the largest
FIRM or corporation in the city. Why should the
members of the toxrd OF aldermen be required
20 serve the city without compensation? Are
not said aldermen in the discharge of their
duties obliged either TO accept passes
from railway companies. or pay car fare cut os
their own pockets, and perhaps other Incidental
expenses Does not the acceptance Of favors by
those holding official positions from individuals,
hrms or corporations, have tendency dessTuct-
I've Of their impArtiaiity and Independence
Nould il no; be in the line of wise economy 10
compensate. In small measure st least, those
who serve the city honestly and efficiently II
Is recommended that SIS he paid each alder
nsan each month. as = slight compensation for
The services they render the city.
salaries Recommendations. 3. SOC in no
ease more than $500: treasurer. s20Do. corpora
ton council. $50. city attorney s. so. police
judge. si.S0. commissioner OF public works
tI,So0; chief Of police. 81 so; chic Of FIRE de-
partInent, $3.50: street commissioner. $50:
city clerk, $3.50; purchasing agent. slSo:
comptroller, s. 900: superb = ndenf wAter-workS
tI,Soo: superintendent sewers, $50, superin-
ieadeni buildings, s.. 500; cit engineer. s.Seo;
health commissioner. sl,ooa
such salaries as are not now fixed by charter
should be"
motion 70 adjourn was then made and the
ayes were 90 general that Chairman Furth sd-
pesnea the meeting without calling for the
1SsaaFe vote After moments reflection he
.e'silsa The meeting and put the motion sgain
.I - al We members appeared 20 hsve changed
Nsll minds, Tor there was unanimous no.
a., ' s Ramsey then took the aaor and szid:
. No aot believe in acting the coward. lana
g Aa1 have felt that the charter Is TOO
-. me Several suggestions IN that com
nluhleation are good The salary al onr r,,.v,,-
y too iAfge' DO rot think il shoa'A ~ over
tI'VV" would Go away with the h.,s-,g ~ mr.
NC WORKS am not Al osssey Sc - 49,. : f,,si-
ness mSa and IL has become = ,,.,.o-,,,,s -,
snai our ooaFd q pubic works has accented a
go go. 'iOill none sewer pipe company Al 10 u.sr
cent more snza sn outside 1Trn ofgerei =, III !,
fer, That is politics, ret business 1S.S,-t,s
the board intrude its own economic -. -
the taxpayers and say that j; i wrD >, -,
more for home prcauctsT I wouit w.
Egch ard give home products the nr.ss-..-
bat-no mere. / have heard that H.. srr.,-,,,'
in'en4eai ct the wAter-wogks is pairing from -
&C. = cents per day more for labor than the rem.
lar scsle paid in private enterprises
l. O. Graves said. do hot think The Chen
Is To oh