The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-01

of the commissions. The department of
sanitation is an ampliaeation of the duties
of health officer, closer supervision being
exercised over the sanitary conditions OF
the city, and the harbor department Is
Practically unaltered.
The law department has undergone con-
siderable change. Instead of the Office OF
city attorney, there is now in addition to
that officer, whose duty is conaned
to criminal offenses, corporation
counsel who acts as the legal adviser OF the
| city council and the other departments.
He drafts all ordinances, and conducts
civil cases on behalf of the city. The
court business was previously conducted
by the precinct justices of the peace, but
all city cases are now tried by police
judge.
The augmentation of the city govern
ment called for more extensive ofiice
accommodations. and soon after the
adoption of the charter, the old city hall
was surrendered TO the police court and
new offices hired in the Butler block.
There chambers have been fitted for the
sessions of the two houses of the city
council which meet separately. and for the
various city officials.
The process of legislation is purposely
constructed TO retard the passage OF ordi-
nances with view to avoiding hasty con-
clusions, and, although in cases there may
be vexatious delay, the intention Is be-
lieved TO result eventually in greater dellb-
Grafton and less frequent changes In city
laws. Most of the business is transacted
by petition. BY common consent petitions
are referred hrst 10 the board OF aldermen,
which body usually refers them to COM
mittee, transmitting their report with the
subject matter TO the house OF delegates,
which also subjects it TO inquiry by COM
mittee. and if it concur with the other
house, an ordinance or joint resolution is
then presented, which passes three read
Ing in each house, and is signed in open
session by the presidents OF both houses
before it goes TO the mayor for signature,
and becomes law or is vetoed by him.
Questions bearing upon departmental work
are usually referred to the appropriate
board or commission for recommendation.
Ordinances may originate in either house,
but must pass both.
The sources of income are the same as
under the old charter. A tax levy of 10
mills upon property valuation affords
$4,000 and the receipts from licenses,
fees and lines are expected to yield about
S2I0, 900.
During the year the city has made some
radical changes in its system. Most i'm
portant of these was the purchase from
the Spring Hill Water Company its plant
and service for $780,, 600; and the correlative
issue of bonds amounting to 1886, 900 for
the purchase of the water-works, the ex-
tension of the supply system throughout
the city, and the construction of sew
erage system. The work of laying water
mains had progressed Gapidly by the end
of the year, but the negotiations for ac-
ceptance of plans for the sewer system
were not completed.
The police force was increased during
the year from forty-two patrolmen to
seyenty-nve, and a detective force was
established as an experimental auxiliary.
The year was very eventful to the hre
department, as it witnessed considerable
increase in the force of men rendered neces-
sary by the addition of a new engine, an
other hook and ladder company and two
more chemical engines. The wooden
structure on Third street, which had done
duty as headquarters since the destruction
of the engine house by the Ire of 1850, was
vacated upon the completion of line
building on Columbia street. New engine
houses have also been erected at Main and
Ninth, on Battery street and at Terrace
and Tenth. The force consists now of
four engine companies, two hook and lad
der companies and three chemical engine
companies.
The hreboat Snoqualmie was practi-
cally completed by December, and before
many weeks will have received the Lnal
ri bar Ix- 60 oil, 4 bn
water front.
The principal officers of the city govern
ment, whose terms are generally two
years to date from October, 1890, are as
follows:
Mayor, Harry White; comptroller, C.
w. Ferris; treasurer, W. L. Ames; cor
poration counsel, Orange Jacobs; city at
torney, Job P. Lyon; city clerk, Henry
W. Miller; judge, Claudius NJ. Rivers.
Board of aldermen-George w. Hall,
president; Messrs. NJ. Korn, w. II. Will
cox, A. S. Miller, G. w. Snyder, E. +.
Bogardus, Frank Pontius. There are two
vacancies caused by the resignation of f.
w. Wald and F. W. D. Holbrook.
House of delegates-W. f. Jones, presi-
dent; Messrs Willis, Hart, Moford Null
doom, Shipley, Kittinger, Barton, Lansing,
Hanford, Krug, Barnes, Davis, Cowden,
Furry and Bagley.
Board of public works-Commissioners
Jesse Cochrane, W. V. Rinehart, c. II.
Hebron. Officers: F. w. WaId, secre-
tary; ]. w. Chalk, superintendent of water
works; Aihro Gardner, city engineer; n.
G. Alexander, street superintendent; R.
Schmidt. superintendent of sewers; L. F.
Compton, superintendent Of public build
ings, etc.
Police OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES, s.
L. Crawford, w. E. Ledgerwood, A. III.
Manning, 6. o. Guy; chief of police,
George e. Monroe.
Fire OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES w. J.
Clark, K. G. Faegre, Foster, J. IL. kahaley;
chief, Gardner Kellogg.
Park commissioners-Danie Jones. C.
\. Evans. W. Z. Burgess, w. E. Bailey,
Abram Barker
Library ommissioners-Mrs. J. C.
Haines, Mrs. A. b. Stewart, Colonel C. NJ.
Sheafe, r. c. Washburn, John E. Aver.
Board of Health -Drs. r. A Churchill.
F. A. Noble, w. a. shannon; health
officer DR.. George Sparkling.