The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-08-23

raslfre that the two boards were created to help
each other. The adsges that two minds thinK
more wisely than one, that one hand washes the
other, are new to that rising young man ne
sees two bodies, and his egotism prompts MN
10 the belief that they were placed there Tor
battle. And It appears that he succeeded IN
deluding large number of our citizens into tnas
belief. However. we may safeay dismiss thaI
objection to legislative system, because II 10
not likely that we shall commit so serious an
error as to re-elecs the rising young man or MS
like. And II we should, then il is useless 70 dis
cuss the merits or dement's of laws or systems,
since no law or system can give satisfaction In
the hands of men of his fibre.
The second objection to our present system IS
worth considering; namely. the delays when
dual bodies naturally create. Some OF our citi-
zens have undoubtedly suffered Inconvenience,
and perhaps loss, owing to delay in the prompt
enactment of needed ordinances. This is de-
fectof the system, and IL can be only partially
removed. Harmony between the two bodies
would avoid many unnecessary delays, but this
defect can never be efectualiy remedied- An
noying delays must of necessity occur, and by
admitting that much everything that can be
reasonably said against the system has been
said.
Now let us look at the advantages the city de-
rfves from this system No one can truthfully
name single act of our present council where
by the city's rights and valuable privileges have
been injudiciously decided to corporations. as
was the custom under the old regime Charters
have certainly been granted to companies TO
build street car lines, but these charters have
all had iudieious provisions TO protect the rights
OF the city. Companies are compelled to ac-
tually build. No speculation with valuable
grants Is permitted, an abuse which was for
merry 50 often practiced.
The abuses to which our street grading system
used TO be subjected have been successfully
checked. Thanks to our dual system, we have
no more streets ordered graded through some
unplatted property, without the knowledge or
consent of the owners peti ion with q few
fictitious names attached, asking 10 grade
street miles long, involving an expenditure of
tens OF thousands of dollars, was always hailed
with delight by the old councils. Petitions,
bids and ordinances were rushed through pell
nell. And why not7 Vas there not q chance
for contractor and some counciImen to make
something by 1t? Little did they care who
would ultimately have to pay for the work done.
agree with Mr.. Bryce, author of 1.-THE American
Commonwealth" that It is best for US to suffer
slight Inconvenience If thereby we can protect
ourselves against glazing frauds. / believe that
our legislative system is the best part of our
charter, and by all means let US keep it.
As TO who should revise the charter, think
1t quite proper TO invite some of the ex-charter
commissioners 70 help In the work, but also
and those who have had to pay for its defects
should be asked to assist In remedying it. I
therefore suggest that board of nine be created
TO amend the charter-said board TO be COM
posed of three ex-chsrter commissioners. one
member OF the house of delegates, one member
OF the board OF aldermen, one member of the
Chamber of Commerce, one member OF the
Board of Trade, one member of the Western
Central Labor Union and one member of the
board OF public works, making a total of nine, a
body not too large 10 do effective work, and
certainly representing all our interests
With all due Difference to the editor
of the PosT-ISTEtMGEscER, I fail to
see the reason underlying the statement that
those who created the charter should be called on
TO amend 1t. A lawmaker dies the moment the
law is adopted. Again we are by no means as
sured that those who framed the charter are
ready to admit its defects. In fact, / do not be-
deve that they have had as much opportunity of
thoroughly testing 1t as have those whose duty
it is to apply it However, my suggestion is in
the nature of compromise, and think the
best interests of the city could be served by hav-
ing the charter amended by such q board as
suggested.
The boards of police and fire commissioners
can also be proftably readjusted: but think
have done enough faultfnding for once.
ABE SPRING.