The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-03-25

No Registration for the Tacoma
Water Works Election.
80 DECIDES SUPREME COURT,
The Ordinsaes Held - Re valiA-8uliog
u Importance 60 Tseoms-Aa
Jmpertsat Letter.

TAcoxA. March N.-lspecial.E by . decision
81 the supreme court handed down today ~
Olympia the validity Of bonds issued BY cities
and towns of the state for the purchase or con-
styucticn OF water or light pauts 10 a1hrrnef.
Under the act Of the Legislature, approved
March &c, le9o, authorizing the issue OF such
bonds. several OF the cities aud towns OF the
state have failed to place their bonds because
boud buyers. through their attorneys, have re-
fused 20 accept the same. Just at present the
matter 10 OF pressing Importance to Tacoma ana
New whafcom and Fairhaven. The former city
has had placed before the people proposition
20 bond tho city to the last dollar for the pur-
chase OF the Tacoma Light and Water ComDany's
water and electric light plant for 3, 10000. and
providing for $4,000 additional for extensions
and Improvements to the aame. making total
Of 32,i50.o90. which will prevent the con-
ssruction Of . system OF sewers, now more
needed than such improvement ct Seattle, at
which city It 10 proposed to expend $4,000 for
sewers.
The least expected ana most startling feature
Of the supreme court decision, which was
written by Judge stiles. formerly OF this city IL
shat IL holds that II Ii not necessary for electors
% register IN order to vote for bonding the city.
Even City Attorney Murray, who represented
the city before the supreme court, did not ex-
pect that the court would sustain him on this
point Referring 70 registration, the decision
concludes a. 70 lows:
We have but one registration law In this state.
II declares that the provisions of the law shall
apply 10 all elections tor the municipal and
other offices: but we fall 70 nnd any Application
OF IL to elections OF this kind. Section OF the
charter requires registration, "As provided by
the genera. laws OF the state aud section IL
declares that no person shall 10 entitled to vote
unless he Is q qualified elector under the state
laws and has yegstered las provided by law"
but there being no state law requiring registra-
ton at elections OF this character these provis-
tfnA ~Rtx txn.
Tor may vote The amendment TO the registra-
ton law passed 1898 does not affect this matter.
"What Is TO prevent illegal voting under this
decision" City Attorney Murray was asked.
'Cannot any party OF parties interested in carry
ing or defeating the proposition swear in any
number OF repeatersr'
Mr.. Murray said In substance:
1t seems the court intends that no registration
at all 10 necessary. There viii have to be no
registration books Tor this special election and
under the decision We can hold the election
April IL. - originally proposed. No. twill not
be necessary that man shall have been regis.
tered for the coming city election In order to
qualify him for the special bond election He
can vote without being registered.
Two features OF the decision especially please
those who desire the city 70 purchase the light
and water plant. Wig:
Because no registration 10 necessary.
And because the court holds that the bond
Issue under the ordinance 10 valid, and no
specific detailed statement o. the property to b
sold 10 necessary.
In view OF what the majority Of the members
Of tho city council really think OF the PROPOSE
ticu to buy the plants for $i.75ooo0. IL il anus
Ing to motto that the court says they shave done
their part and that the proposal submitted IL in
their Judgment wise" 1t is fact that many OF
the councilman who voted for the ordinance
considered the proposition unwise and unrea.
sonsble. But they felt it their duty, and also q
great convenience to dispose of the whole prop
osition BY referring II to the people The t.
coma Light and Water Company 10 pleased with
the decision. and the impression prevails that
Il 10 point In Its favor, instead Of being q de-
cision desired by tho bond buyers Aside from
this. however. the decision 10 in other respects
gratifying TO the water company, and Il il hay.
ting prepared . statement showing that the price
asked for the plant 10 $50 900 less than the same
he's cost II. Notwithstanding IL has deducted s
Per cent from the improvements from year "a
year for general wear and tear, the aggregate de-
auction being something like 324o.o0a
High salaries and bad management. 70 has
always been maintained, resulted In unneces-
ssry expenses, Notwithstanding which the com.
pany has realised handsome profit
letter was sent 70 the council this afternoon
By c. b Talbot and J. Vincent Browne, in which
they refer 20 the fact that they and Others inter.
sstsd were present at the time and place an.
pointed by the Gre and water committee to dis.
cuss their proposition. but only one member OF
the committee appeared. and they urged that an
opportunity DO given them to explain their
proposition at length. Tho letter concludes:
We expect 10 show to yourselves and the citi.
sens at large . saving OF over 81 900 900 in the
proposed expenditure and estimates In their b.
hsii, aud We assure you that the qualities and
sniciepcy OF our system are all that the city or
It's people could desire.