The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-10-31
MAKING NEW LAWS.
House of Delegates Considers
Charter Changes.
A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION.
Willis Objects to Two Articles and
Action lie Postponed-AlI Grade
Amendments Approved.

Inc house of delegates met last night for the
special purpose of considering the proposed
amendments TO the charter formulated by the
revision committee. 1t was at once resolved TO
go into committee of the whole and Mr.. Charles
Cowden was called to the chair. The attendance
was unusually good, the members present being
Aessrs Jones, Willis, Hart, Morfori shipley,
DAVIS, kittinger, Bagley, Barton, Furry, Cow
Gen ana Lansing. Aldermen Miller and Korn
attended the session.
clerk Miller had prepared the amendments in
excellent shape, codifying them that they
could be considered under subjects He an
nounced to the house that the council must
nnlsh the consideration of the proposed amend
nehts on November Il, as IL will take two or
three days to prepare them for the first pubica-
tlon OF ten days, which must take place on
November l6 Sixty days from the first pub
hcation will not allow the council TO again con-
slider them until Friday, January Is, next. Now,
from January Is to February is all the time
allowed for the second consideration OF the
council, for consideration by the mayor and
preparation for the thirty days publication
prior to the election on Tuesday, March 8 The
hrst publication of thirty DAYS must be begun
on wednesday, February 8, as FIVE Sundays must
be counted out
The first amendment makes the declaration of
city boundaries conform 20 the new lines
The second matter considered was the pro-
posed amendment to sections 3, and z, of
article 4. fixing the number composing the
house OF delegates and board Of aldermen, viz,
one member from each ward for each house.
The proposed amendment also fixes q salary of
800 per year
Mr.. Willis thought the members ought to have
$50 d month. That was not too much for men,
and he hoped no more boys would be elected
Mr. Bagley objected: he thought members
ought to have something to recompense them,
and $500 year was sufficient.
Mr.. Jones said they had already heard MUIR
murings OF extravag ance. yet there had been so
much work to be done that they had come to the
conclusion members should have some recon-
pense. Yet II they put the price too high il
would be rejected altogether.
MI Willis warned them they had better begin
to cater TO the laboring classes, and they could
not hope TO carry propositions for small salaries.
Mr.. Bagiey said for his part he was not cater
ing TO any class: he was going to vote on all
these questions just as he thought was right.
The amendment was then topted, as was also
that one providing that members may hold more
than one Office Amendment No. merely de-
fines who shall be members OF the advisory
board; it was adopted
Amendment No. 4 makes the police commits
sion consist of the board OF public works and
the mayor
Mr.. Kittinger advocated the consolidation OF
the commissions. He said it did not need much
explanation. 1t had been found that the city
had been too much governed and it was pro-
posed to concentrate the work so that the city
business might be run more economically.
Mr.. Willis made earnest speech against
Capitalization of labor or capital or Office. He
was afraid a dishonest board OF public works
could squander 100000 in two years. The
city council was all right, but it was wrong to
let the board of works run the whole city.
Mr.. Jones said the speech of Mr.. Willis showed
cts 3 hat ad a
or he misconceived the entire purpose OF the
amendment. The board could not spend
dollar without the knowledge and con-
sent Of the council. The finance committee
knew how seriously some change is needed; his
own opinion was that the expense was due to
having so many independent commissions.
The people are clamoring for a reduction in the
number OF boards; it had been shown to be pop
ular opinion that greater simplicity is needed,
and the committee proposes to leave the matter
to the people. They can approve or reject
Mr.. Kittinger said Mr.. Willis knew the whole
trouble as TO expenses had arisen through hav-
ing so many boards. He explained at length
that experience had shown there was no neces-
sity for many boards.
Mr. Cowden also attributed the great cost OF
the gov rnment to the number of commissions.
Mr. Shipley reminded them the intention of
the constitution that the people should
make their own charter. 1t wasn't intended
IT,.
il was simply the duty of the council TO submit
amendments to the people and let them say how
they will have the city government constituted.
There was difference OF opinion on the matter,
and all that proposed now was to ask the
people TO decide whether they would rather
have n lot of commissions or one administra-
tive board. His own opinion was that the larger
q legislative body the better; but in looking
after the administrative part he thought the
smaller the number the more compact would be
the respons bility, the greater the efficiency and
economy. He was not inclined TO blame the
men who composed the commissions; he did
blame the system. He was satisfied the amend
ment was wise and judicious.
Mr. Willis moved, and Mr. Barton seconded, TO
report adversely. but 1t was voted down. The
subsidiary amendments requiring that the chief
OF police must be confirmed by the city council
in Joint assembly. and that the chief should
have entire freedom from dictation in the selec-
ton OF officers. were also approved.
Mr. Bagiey supported the latter amendment,
declaring that most of the trouble in the depart
ments had been through the over Jealous inter
ference of commissioners.
The amendment was adopted.
Amendment No. 5 was then approved, the
only change being that the board of public
works is hereafter 10 be confirmed by the coun-
Gil instead OF by the aldermen only. Under the
same number is the proposed change in the
method OF street assessment whose principal
feature the graduated scale of liability, from 40
per cent. 10 10 Der cent, has already been fully
explained, the proposed ordinance published in
yesterdays PosrINTELLIGESCER giving IL at
length, except as TO the unit Of measurement.
Messrs Bagley and Shipley explained in what
respects the amendment would protect property
owners without permitting minority 10 retard
needed improvement. Mr. Ship.ey mentioned
the instance of Rcntou property, where all i'm
provement is stopped by the death of Mr. Rem
ton, il being now impossible 70 secure the sigma
ture Of n majority of the property.
II was adopted without dissent. Other amend
ments forbid grading If the cost is to be
more than half the value Of property; one pro-
vidiug for re-assessmeut when the first assess
meut has been vj:iated by intormality or irreg-
ularty; property and not the owner 10 be
scssed: that when payment by bonds is desired
the work shall not be begun until the
bonds have been negotiated. These were all
favorably received. the only exception being the
re ference TO the judiciary committee OF one
section for verbal amendment
When the committee arose, the house ap-
proved of the amendments, as TO boundaries
and the advisory board, but postponed action