The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-08-23
CONCERNING CITY AFFAIRS.
Critical Review of Administrative De-
partments-CharterR Revision.
SEATTLE. Aug. q, 1891.


Critical Review of Administrative De-
partments-Charter Revision.
SEATTLE. Aug. q, 1891.
To THE EDITOR: In view OF the fact that q
movement is On foot 10 revise our charter, /
think that few suggestions and general re-
view of that documents merits and dement's
will not be out of place. believe it Ia best that
we should first analyze its workings towards the
board Of public works. Many-in fact, too
msny-complaints are heard about this board.
The general clamor against il can safely be dis
missed without comment l have carefully
searched FOX the source OF these complaints and
have found them emanating mostly from mem
bers OF the city council. Naturally they are
hostile because the board has taken from them
the prestige that councilmen-especially those
who are fortunate enough to serve on important
committees-used to enjoy. But for the sake of
good government let US look at the present
board. We find it composed OF a painter, Q
major and a banker. No matter how worthy
these gentlemen are or how anxious they may
be TO serve the city faithfully, they cannot
IL well for the simple reason that they do not
know how. They have not been trained for
that class OF work. One might defend the pres
ence of a banker or a merchant on the board, be-
cause of the business ability such man would
bring with him; he would manage the business
OF the board in a business-Iike way: but what
possible excuse there is for the two other fail
to see
The chairman of the board, Mr.. Cochrane, for
whom entertain the highest respect as a citizen
especially since he il Democrat-cannot
consistently, and a. far as I know does not,
claim any practical knowledge of street, sewer
or water work. The same is true Of Major Rine-
hart. Certainly it is folly to have board act in
the capacity of overseers of these various depart
ments when they have no practical knowledge
-
are unable to decide whether the work done Is
good or bad. think Mayor White made mis-
take In selecting Mr.. Cochrane. Since the
charter eompels him to appoint Democrat on
the board, and since Mr.. White was under no
political obligation to the Democratic party, he
should have selecteda man who has practical
knowledge of such work. Unfortunately, Mr.
Cochrane cannot utilize his mechanical ability
a. painter 70 the citys advantage. The city
has no artistic work to do.
To prevent in future such mistakes offer two
suggestions: First-H possible amend the
charter 30 that the coming board shall consist
OF one civil engineer or architect engineer
preferably, one contractor or builder Unjust be
practical carpenterl, and one who Is engaged in
grading streets or laying sewers. and who has q
thorough knowledge of such work. Such
board could, until the city reaches 9 population
OF 100000, abolish the Offices of street, sewer,
water and building superintendent. They
could divide these departments among them
selves, and personally superintend their re-
spective departments, and at their daily meet
ings-say p. m.-they could compare notes.
Being all practical meH they could offer valu-
able suggestions to each other and harmonic
all the departments into one complete whole.
All tools and apparatus could be grouped into
one YARD. BY adopting this plan a saving could
De affected, not only in salaries. but also IN
tools, in caring for and in mending them
Certainly, take the ground that the members
of the board are as much in duty bound to
Work eight hours day are the laborers who
work under them. And also hold that ii is the
duty of the mayor to see that all city employees
WORK eight hours day. That Is what he is
paid for.
Ny second suggestion is that If such an
amendment cannot be embodied in our organic
law mot being lawyer cannot tell, then let
as reduce the board to one, viz, q commissioner
OF public works, who shall have a general
knowledge of al the important branches of city
WORK and let US pay him liberal salary and
hold him strictly responsible for all city work.
he would naturally combine all teams, tools
and other apparatus under one man agement,
and thereby effect considerable saving.
By all means let the clerical work for all
branches be done by the secretary of the board.
Give him assistance If necessary. but forever
stop this disgusting practice OF every depart
ment having its clerical work done in separate
once by special timekeepers and clerks. To my
knowledge there are men at present in the en-
pioy OF the various departments for office work
who cannot employ their time for one hour a
day.
Much has been said about the advisability OF
making the board elective After mature con-
sideration I am compelled 20 difer with my
Democratic brethren who advocate this. An in
competent but welI-meant fellow can easily pro-
cure nomination. and, once he Is nominated,
the contest narrows itself down 10 party success.
The competency of the candidate cuts no figure
In our municipal elections. As long as we are
committing the fatal error OF running city eiec-
tions on stsictly party lines, and as long as we
cannot induce the business men to vote at the
primaries, so long do consider 1t best that the
board OF public works should be sppointive and
not elective.
Our judicial department can also be proftably
revised. / see no use for q city attorney. The
unfortunate drunk and disorderly or the vile
pimp and his benchmen can be prosecuted by
the chief of police. There is no legal ability |
needed in the police court little common |
sense is all that is necessary, and we are more
likely TO find common horse sense In chief of |
police than in some secondhand disciple of |
The salary paid TO the city attorney !
and his assistant is not sufficient 10 retain good
legal talent, and we can well afford TO dispense
with that expensive luxury. Victoria and Van |
Q aver, B. c., and many cities OF the United /
States are satisfied with bringing their petty /
criminals before the police judge, stating the /
facts by the arresting officer and letting the
Judge do the balance. BY following the exam
pie of these cities we can save ourselves not |
only the salaries but also the disgrace of being
represented by petdfogging lawyers. This is !
not intended as reflection upon those now
flling these legal positions, but merely to
point out that we cannot expect good talent for /
the money we are paying Surely we cannot +
afford to pay more; 80, in my opinion better
abolish these Offices and let the arresting
officer, with the aid Of his chief, attend to the
legal prosecution.
Our dual legislative system is often criticized,
and more often harped at, without a thorough I
of its merits or dement's. There are
two reasons for the present dissatisfaction. The
first 10 that we were unfortunately not very 4
malicious In our choice st the last election, and I
especially does that spply to the board of alder
men. One member of that board In particular
I prefer not to mention his name, since he hiss
lone enough 70 disgracefully advertise hirnseID |
aas done all he could 70 make II appear that the |
,vo bodies were created for the purpose OF 1
parking at each other. He apparently cannot /