The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-30
SUBJECT TO ORDERS.
Charter Revision Commission
Makes Its Report.
COUNCIL ASKED FOR OPINION.
No Amendment Can BE Voted Upon
Until Next General Election
Further Trial Advised.

A meeting was held last night of the charter
revision commission, at which there present
Messrs I. W. Prosch. E. C. Neufelder, NJ. korn,
Frank Hanford, 7. J. McCorry, Alexander Walls
and w. A. Snyder.
Mr. Prosch, as chairman of the committee APP
pointed to determine whether amendments
could be submitted at special election, read
the following report to the mayor and council:
"Ihe commission intrusted by you with the
examination OF the city charter and the sugges-
ton OF amendments thereto, fully appreciated
the magnitude aud importance OF the task. as
well as the honor individually paid TO its mem
bers IN their selection, to revise the work OF the
fifteen freeholders who have been truthfully de-
clsred the most able and distinguished body OF
citizens ever assembled in Seattle I'M
sought as was this honor. and though
shrinking somewhat from the trust, the mem
bers of the commission undertook the work in
good faith. Several meetings were held. ofneers
elected, committees appointed aud the work ap,
propriately assigned. IL was the opinion OF all
that there should be no haste, that there was
time enough to do all that was desired alid that
two three months would perhaps be con-
suIned in the undertaking.
at was also the common idea that the council
wished TO submit the amendments that might
be offered to the people at special election to
be called Tor the purpose during the later par'
OF the coming spring or the early part oil sum
mer 1t was supposed that this would be done
in accordance with a provision OF section i, OF
article 20, OF the charter, which declares
that amendments may be submitted to
the qualified voters at speciat
election to be called for the purpose By
the city council Upon investigation it has been
found that this provision OF the charter is in
conflict with the state constitution, which IN
section 10 of article III, says that such charter
may be amended by proposals therefor submit
ted by the legislative authority of such city 10
the electors thereof at any general election riter
notice of said submission published rs above
speeined and ratified by majority OF the quail
he'd electors voting thereon.
"The attorneys of the city are a unit IN their
assertion that the constitutional proylso above
quoted absolutely prevents the submission oil
amendments to the charter at special election,
and that in this particular the chafter Is nun
and void
I'm this view your commission is compelled to
acquiesce. This being the case, and the general
election not coming until March, ls.2, III ~
thought to be unwise to attempt the proposed
revision at this time year ana more before the
earliest date ut which amendments that might
be suggested could be presented 10 the people.
1--WE are convinced that in some respects the
charter can be amended to general advantage.
but at the same time we hope that another
years trial will persuade the people that 1t Is
not so faulty II document as many now beileye.
Like new machinery, it may run more smoothly
the second year than the first, in which event
changes now apparently quite desirable may, II
presented, be directly the reverse.
sWe suggest that as delay is unavoidable, the
work of revision be postponed until the fall
months. in the meantime the operations of the
charter being watched closely by all concerned.
.sWith sincere thanks for the honor done US.
''''-'~' - THOMAS W. PRoscH,
j. L. RONALD,
OF the Chamber OF Commerce.
NJ. KoRN,
w. A. SNYDER,
OF the Board OF Aldermen.
FRANK HANFoRD,
S. NJ. SHIPLEY,
OF the House of Delegates.
T.. c. NEUFELDER,
X. II. GoLDIE,
OF the Board of Trade.
THOMAS J. MCCoRRY,
or the Building Trades Council
ALEXANDER WALLS,
OF the Western Central Labor Union.
Mr.. Walls thought il was unnecessary TO go
on with the inquiry, at least until the council
had passed upon the report.
Mr.. korn said the city was worse on now tnan
under the old government He thought they
had better consider all possible means by which
the charter could be amended.
Mr.. Neufelder said it seemed to him their
functions were dissolved per Sc, they did not
want TO be a voluntary committee. 1t would be
st least only courteous to the council 10 give IL
an opportunity to pass upon the question.
Mr.. Hanford moved that the report be sent 10
the council it expressed his views precisely
Mr.. Proseh thought it would be unseemly to
continue the inquiry.
Mr.. Korn suggested that they retain their or
ganization until action had been taken by the
council.
Mr. MeCorry thought the adoption of the re-
port by the council would be tantamount to
discharge of the committee.
The question was put and the motion carried.
The members OF the commission then signed
the report and adjourned, subject TO the call OF
the chair