The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-03-22
UNDER NEW RULERS.
Assembling of the City Legis-
lators.
YHE MAYORS ADDRESS READ.
Both Houses of the Council Organize
Only Nine Delegates Admitted to
seats-Two Doctors Honored.

organization.
Much public interest was manifested IN
the occasion. By z O'Clock the corridor on
the upper floor of the city hall was
thronged with men, many OF whom were
aspirants for place under the new admin
istration. Among the third house were
L. D. Ross, j. NJ. Carson. J. NJ. Quilter, I.
J. Heifner, J. C. Shaetfer, l.. b. Hart,
Fred E. Sander and host of others. Dur
ing the proceedings several OF the late
members of the council came in and were
cordially welcomed and Hospitality re-
ceived.
The mayors message, which was read in
both branches of the city council, was as
follows:
SEATTLE, Wash, March q, 1892
To the City Council-GentIemen: Called by
our fellow-citizens from our respective walks OF
life, and charged with a sacred trust for spe-
cihc purpose, it is well that We, upon the
threshold of our duties, recall our pledges and
weigh our responsibilities Confidence is re-
posed In u.s. The prosperity and destiny OF our
city, for the time being, rests with US. we
write new chapter in her history. The hrst
page is begun. May the last page in the chapter
complete a narrative Of acts aud events justify
ing this confidence in our authorship May the
Judgment of tho critic be, "Well done,
good and faithful servants" We pledged
ourselves 20 honest, economical and
progressive administration. There should be no
cessation of necessary public Improvements.
Such should be made by days labor, and the
laborers paid weekly in lawful money. The
faith and credit OF the city must be maintained
inviolably. The closest scrutiny OF all bills and
accounts should be exercised; strictest economy
of forces and expenditure should be demanded
The city payroll is unnecessarily extended by
the list OF too many idle overseers Of small
gangs of iaborers. The charter defines the
duties and powers OF the board OF public
works. The power OF appointing and employ
ing so many assistants and superintendents
should not be exercised by this department,
except under circumstances and conditions max
ing the same absolutely necessary.
The trne construction of this article in the
charter contemplates that the members OF this
board shall personally supe.intend and conduct
the affairs and discharge the duties. as far as
possible, of this department. superintendent
should be employed to attend to such duties
only as cannot be discharged by the members OF
the board personally, working eight hours
day. These members should devote their time
according to the salary received, or should re-
ceIve a salary according to the time devoted.
CHARTER AMENDMENTS.
It is to be hoped that the decision of our
supreme court will be in favor of the legality of
our charter amendments. Some OF these amend
ments are of vital importance and benefit. Ac-
cording to the constitution of the state we can
submit amendments to the charter, not at
special, but only at general elections. The pro-
visions of the charter in this respect are con-
trary to the constitution. However, our people
overwhelmingly demand either new, or radi-
cal amendments to the present charter, and
therefore should the decision of the supreme
court be adverse to the legality OF our recent
amendments, there are two other more speedy
hOha ri of cha in 1rIr an n
law. We may call and elect new freeholders
convention and formulate a new freeholders
charterkrawn on less expensive lines and lodg-
ing the responsibility for the conduct of city
affairs in more certain quarters, or We may &C.
complish the same object at our next state leg
islature by legislative enactment, prescribing
such q charter for cities OF our class with q
transition clause prescribing conditions under
which we may be permitted to elect TO operate
under such charter
SALARY ORDINANCES.
One OF the duties which, in my opinion, should
have your earliest attention is the passage of an
ordinance fixing the salaries aud defining the
duties OF the respective officers OF the city gov
eminent An examination of the list OF sala-
ried officers assistants, superintendents, clerks,
bookkeepers, cashiers. etc, renders quite proba-
bic the conclusion that some Of these numerous
forces, are not now, by reason of competitions
and simplihcation of systems, necessary. AL
such should be abolished.
REVISION OF GENERAL oRDISAScEs.
The series OF general ordinances requires your
examination and probably. in many instances,
material revision. The general ordinances
lating 10 licenses should be so revised SIS to
make transferable liquor licenses in cases where
purchasers fulfilling to the satisfaction of the
council ell the conditions and requirements of
the law, as TO bond, good character, etc, con-
tinue to operate in the same place the ven
dor If this traffic is permitted by the law, per-
sons engaged therein should have, in this re-
spect, the same rights and protection as is ex-
tended by law TO other businesses. While the
trailic in intoxicating liquors should thus be
protected in all lawful rights, it should be re-
stricted and confined 10 those rights and p-ivi-
leges. Conviction of maintaining, suffering or
permitting gambling or club rooms to be oper-
nted in, or in connection with, or in
places opening into, or from, or directly
or indirectly connected with a saloon or bar
room should work forfeiture OF license Suffer
ing disorderly conduct or noisy and obscene
dancing or permitting minors or habitual
drunkards 10 frequent or drink therein should
likewise work forfeiture. These should be
guaranteed against by the bond of the licensee,
and breach of bond should not only work Tor
ieituTe. but prevent such licensee from agsin
obtaining license. To do this is but fair TO the
liquor dealer who desires 20 operate bis saloon
IN peaceable orderly and lawful manner. Not
10 do this is to give 20 the keeper OF the dive the
dancehouse and the skin game saloon an unfair
advantage over the law abiding one, and tends
10 encourage an increase of violence, vice, gam
bling, etc, in the city. No man who IS not a
good citizen and cannot comply with such regu-
lstious should he permitted license.
STREET PAVING.
The city has now attained such proportions as
10 make very expensive the present system of
plyukiny streets AZ utibiic eTplusa We should
now take some steps toward selecting some
material Tor permanent paving Tor our streets
And when such paving becomes necessary it
should be done at the expense OF the locality or
sbuttuE property; except in rare cases where it
may be Of great public or commercial necessity
This Will atiord 81 opportunity 20 abolish the
barharous spectacle Of the "chain gang" in
and pu; them 10 work in the city yard breaking
or preparing material foI paving
OSBORNE RyeuEsr FOR CITY HAIL
Ides;re TO call your attention TO the Osborne
beQuest. which provides = contingency uron
which the city, BY donating 4 like amount.
comes into possession OF large sum OF rnouey
for the purpose of constructing city hall /
am informed that this beQuest now amounts
20 nearly $4,000. II this city could dispose Of
some OF its numerous holdings of city lots at
fair price. we could realize sufficient to cover
this bcquest and would then be enabled 70
construct upcn our present site or upon the
triangular block, surrounded by Terrace, Fifth
ana Ycsler avenue, an elegsnt city hall at a
cost Of about sNo.ol0, thus afordinC en-.
ploymeut, during these stringent times. to a
large number OF laborers without increasing
the indebtedness OF the city by single dollar.
Business prudence, IL seems 10 nc. viii suggest
the accomplishment of this II il can he done.
The Osborne bequest Is increasing year by yesr
and we are not entitled 10 Il, | am infQr med