The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-04-09
SALARIES AND HOURS.
Council Proposes to Cut One
and Extend the Other.
sLAsHlNe RIGHT AND LEFT.
Some Members Warn the Council That
1t Is Acting Without Information
"A Four Hours Session.

The house Of delegates met last night and
took up the resolutions recently introduced as
70 the duties Of the board of public works. The
judiciary committee, to which the subject had
been referred with instructions TO prepare an
ordinance, reported in compliance with the d.
rection. The majority presented the ordinance
as their report, but Dele gate Coryeli submitted
1 minority report The main features of the
ordinance are to require the members to be in
Office of the board for six hours each day, and to
dsiiy inspect all work ieIng performed By en-
ployes of the department.
N The minority report rises the objection that
Yhe manifest intention of the cha ter was to have
O. the head OF the department men of broad ex-
perience and OF good business standing who
should devote portion OF their tine to the
supervision of public works. If the majority
report were adopted 1t would defeat the purpose
because no such men could be induced for the
small salary allowed to give 80 much of their
time to city business as it required, to the
neglect of their own business.
After some parliamentary fencing the Demo-
cratic Iepcr was adopted.
Mr.. Corye,l said he considered that the reso
luton was an injustice, and that If the ordinance
was passed IL would be inops,at,vs He knew
this was not the opinion of the corpc ration
counsel, but that was his reading of the charter
The board is separate, distinct and coordinate
branch of the city government. The council
could prescribe the duties OF the bosrd but
|could not say what houis they shall be in the-
,niee III the members OF the board did not do
gheir duty they could be removed He
I pointed out that the members did not
Ill receive the same amount of sala "
and 1t was an absurdlty to ask each one to per-
form the same amount of labor and devote the
sane amount of time. The city needed The
y.ry best kind of men in these positions, and
these could not be secured at such recompense
fha tzyn nrA
had to give all their tine. He concluded by
reading the remarks of Corporation Counsel
Donworth on the subject at the meeting OF the
f1mmittec on Saturday last, as already pub
1shed in the Posi- ISTELL,GEScER
Mr.. Donworth Addressed the house, saying
that there was nothing In the resolution calling
upon any one to resign, or in that or the ordi-
nance any provision which imported into the
regulation of the board any party politics, Mr..
Donworth said he believed the Democratic
party would give him credit for perfect good
faith In any opinion he HAD expressed on the
| subject He had been fairly treated by the
Jemocratic party. but he could not say the
Ymme as to all sources OF comment However,
be was responsible to the Democratic party and
to the rsople, and not to any particular sheet
Delegate Drew defended the ordinance, de-
/ elsring the purpose OF the new administration
be to give the best possible service to the peo-
/ ple giving it themselves and exacting it of all
officers of the city. He denied that there was
any politics in the measure, but an honest de-
re to give the city the very best service 1t could
insure.
| Delegate Lyon said he believed the. board of
public works did not interpret the charter as
tie great majority OF the people did. He
1 tlsimed that the members were all paid alike,
4 that is, AGO for the term OF each. The mem
bers are allowed to use their own judgment as
to how their time shall be proportioned to their
, work
Mr.. Coryell NOV Il that the ordinance be re-
ierred bacS snd that the committee be directed
Ito prepare two ordinances, one containing the
directions as to duties, that the regulations ap-
ply TO all salaried officers, and that penalty for
1 Noncompliance be imposed. He asked why not
impose the same conditions upon all boards and
| oficersf Why select only this particular bosrd9
Why not apply it to the mayor and the corpora
ton counsel and other officers?
The molten was voted down by to Q, strictly
| party vote, and the ordinance was passed by s
to !, Criehton voting with the majority.
On the suggestion of Mr.. Drew the house
agreed to the appointment of the committee on
public buildings, Brace, CalligGn and Dew, to
act with the eldermen's committee investigat-
ing the charges against the park board
/ The salary ordinance was passed, but the ap-
popriation ordinance for street improvements
vas referred to the finance committee.
The resolution susr. nding work on the Taylor
street sewer was passed, Delegate Cook, of the
Second ward. being excused from voting.
The following matters were dealt with:
Petition for the vacation Of Hppincott sect,
In Almond addition; approval OF plat of
fwslf n avenue addition: protest "a. a:nst grad
Eng of White street; refer.ed TO CSs,po akon
Jcounsel.
Painting of the Queen Anne chemical engine
Il house was apr owed.
y The house adjourned until Monday night