The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-22
THE CITY COUNCIL.
Both the Special Elections to
Be Postponed.
ALDERMEN AFTER WILLIAMS.
They LegisIate Him Ont OF Once and
Are Ready for q Suit-New Build
ing Inspector scheme.

The board of aldermen last evening
attacked two Of the knotty problems
which now embarrass the city government,
the contract with Benezette Williams and
the proposed bond election. The ordi-
nance defining the powers of the city
engineer was passed, practically legislating
Mr. Williams out of Office and abrogating
his contract, but leaving loop-hole for
his re-appointnent as a subordinate OF
City Engineer Gardner. Corporation
Counsel Jacobs gave an opinion as to the
probable consequence of this action in the
shape of lawsuits by Mr.. Williams and
the aldermen acted with full understands
ing of what they were doing.
Judge Jacobs also gave opinions as TO
validity of the ordinance providing for an
election on the issue of bonds TO take up
the city's floating debt, and for the annex
alton of the northern suburbs, as well as
on the validity of the issue of bonds IN ex-
cess of IL per cent. of the city's valuation.
The business mems petition that the
special bond election ordinance berepealed
in order that their might be no question as
to the validity of the bonds TO be issued,
was referred. A bill, prepared by Judge
Jacobs for submission to the legislature,
validating the acts of the city in mourning
debt in excess of IL per cent. of the valua-
ton, was Endorsed, and the repeating or
dinance viii be passed on Friday.
The house Of delegates concurred in the
action regarding the special elections.
Action was also taken against street ven
ders who sell without license. a resoiu-
ton " as passed to have the garbage scow
fowed BY the fireboat, and some small shot
were fired al the board OF public works.
The real business of the evening was the
last in order Delegate Barton introduced
house Of delegates bill No. 30, an ordinance
providing for tae collection of delinquent
taxes on street Improvements made prior
TO the passage of the bill. Referred to the
finance committee. 1t is as follows:
An ordinance TO provide for the collection of
delinquent assessments upon property owners
for street improvements ordained by the city OF
Seattle prior to the passage of this ordinance,
and empowering tire city treasurer and
ofsieio tax collector To employ and pay for the
necessary assistance N making such collection.
BE i ordained by the City OF Seattle, as
follows:
Sc TIos ]. The city treasurer aud ex-officio
tax collector is hereby authorized and empow-
erred to collect all assessments upon property
owners for street Improvements ordained by the
city OF Seattle and que and delinquent at the
date OF the passage of this ordinance.
SER > The city treasurer aud ex-ofiicio tax
collector is hereby authorized, empowered and
required 70 open separate set OF books in
which shall be kept true aud accurate accounts
Of such delinquent taxes, the names of all de
Gnqnent Ia xpayers subject to assessments for
said Improvements with the amounts due by
each therefor. and in such manner as to show
tile expense incurred in such collection from
and after the passage Of this ordinance.
Sec. 4 The city treasurer and ex-officio tax
collector Is hereby authorized and empowered
10 employ and pay for such additional assist
suee as may be required for the special purpose
OF this ordinance; and TO procure such books
=.
that the cost of all such additional assistance
shall not exceed per cent of the total of all
sums collected by virtue OF and under the
powers granted by this ordinance, and such ex-
pense shall be paid out OF the sums SO collected
sec. 4. The city treasurer and ex-officio tax
collector is hereby directed and required TO
make Within ten days of the first of each month
monthly report and balance sheet In duplicate
for the use and information of each OF the two
houses OF the city council, showing the amount
of delinquent taxes collected by virtue of this
ordinance together with the name OF eaea strcet
Improvement district fund. the cost OF eolec-
ton: the an,.lnt still due and unpaid against
each such distr = and such other Information
with regard to each such district fund as stall
enable the city council 10 deter1.le what
further steps shall be taken for the collection of
such unpaid taxes.
Sec. 5 The city treasurer and ex officio tax
collector Is hereby required and directed to pro-
coed diligently 10 the collection of taxes due
upon assessments for street Improvements made
as far back in date as these shall he taxes re-
naming unpaid: provided, that he shall not
take any proceedings in any court of law for
such collection.
sec & This ordinance shall take effect and he
ia force from and after its passage, approval
and publication.
The ordinances repeating the ordinances
providing for the bond election and extern
sion Of city limits election was then re-
ceived from the board and speedily adop-
ted
The house concurred in the action of the
board in allowing the long-standing claim
of Mr.. Stixrud, and then adjourned until
FRIDAY evening