The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-12-05
NEW CHARTER PLAN.
Proposed Joint Action of Seat
tie, Tacoma and Spokane.
CONFERENCE ON LEGISLATION.
fseoma Invites tho Two Other First
Class Cities to Combine-FAiiure
OF the Tacoma Charter.

Mayor Ronald has received a commune
cation from Mayor Huson, of Tacoma,
rroposing a convention Of five citizens of
each place 10 cooperate with like num-
her from Spokane. The object is to unite
IN request to the legislature to pass some
laws which are urgently needed by all
cities of the first class. Mayor Huson
says: e.
The city council OF Tacoma have passed q
resolution requesting me to invite a convention
of delegates to be made up from the governments
of the three cities OF the first class within the
siste for the purpose OF deciding upon such
legislation applicable to cities of the first class
q may be found desirable by such convention.
It's not necessary to go into the desirabiity of
such legislation. / have no doubt your city has
found itself hindered by lack OF adequate legls-
lation and adequate powers under our laws.
Chief among the things required are right of
eminent domain, right to compel property
owners to aoa:e nuisances, right to lay proper
street grades and equalize damages and benefits,
sane 20 be borne by abutting property owners.
We should also have some legislation giving
the right to cities TO levy another assessment for
Improvements where the FIRST assessment has
been declared invalid through any techuicality.
i ]: has seemed to me that the three foremost
eties in the state asking for such legislation
and agreeing upon the same, there can be no
doubt OF securing its passage in the early days
Of the coming legislature
Such a convention. In my Judgment. should
be called during the latter part OF December. I
suggest that the delegation be made up OF five
delegates from each OF the city governments,
and that the convention meet on the 10Th of De-
csmber, 10 be held in the city council chamber
IN either Seattle or Tacoma, and would respect
fuliy ask ii your city would cooperate with US
TO that end
The city charter of Tacoma has been de-
cIared by the judiciary committee OF the
city council, in an informal way, to be a
failure in many respects and entirely in
adequate for the purpose. Some of the
members think that the further powers it
is the intention of cities Of the first class
to ask will not be sufficient to remedy all
the costs complained of by Tacoma.
President Corye!l, of the city council,
has suggested that some noted lawyer like
Judge Dillon. OF New York, or John c.
Bnilitt, of Philadelphia. be employed to
frame charter for the three cities which
viii embody the latest ideas of municipal
powers and limitations, founded on the de-
cisions of the courts, and framed in con-
formity to Washington's constitution.
This would, he admits, necessitate an ex-
pense for the charter of about $40, 900, but,
II adopted simultaneously by all three
cities, decision affecting one would stand
as law for the others. He considers that
provision in it prepared by man like
Judge Dillon, the recognized authority in
this country on municipal corporations,
would have great weight before any court,
and that in the end such charter would
be saving to the different cities.
The matter will come before the city
council on Monday night, and if that body
approves of the project and passes q suit
able resolution. Mayor Ronald will appoint
delegates as requested.