The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-04-17
KLOEBER ON REFORM.
Suggested Changes in the Elk
isting City Charter.
NEED OF THoRouoH REVISION.
Rssslasnt Of he House ef Delegates
Advises Abolishiss Cemmissioas-
Wedinsd Beard Of works.

charter has long been felt, and the time Is
approaching when action must be taken II
any amendments are to be submitted 70
the people at the next general election.
Unfortunately, the state constitution re-
uuircs that all amendments must be sub
mitted ct general election: and it IL.
therefore, the more desirable that the most
thorough discussion Of the proposed
amendments shall take place in advance.
If radical measures are desired ii neces-
sary that they be agreed upon in the
main before the election. ~ in order TO
have symmetrical results they will proba-
bly, have to stand or fall together.
The discussion has already begun
among citizens, and DR.. J. 8. Kioeber.
president Of the house Of delegates, has
been asked to give his views upon the cx-
tent to which changes should be made.
In IN interview with = Posr-IsTELLI-
sKscER reporter he said, in reply to ques-
lions, substantially - follows:
an glad TO b privileged to answer this ques-
tion, having been keeniy interested In the prac-
sical working Of the city charter since It's sdop-
tion In October. 1890, and particularly 90 during
the past year whom ! have been 90 intimately
associated with the administration OF the affairs
Of the city under the conditions imposed therein.
that are excellent in their character I am in
favor Of some changea OF all questions per-
tanning 70 reform In the city administration the
question OF charter amendment is OF the most
fmp0rtance-tnem most important for the reason
that the greater portion OF the existing charter
10 entirely incompatible with an economical
municipal government, and until amended will
defeat all efforts that may b made tending to
administrative reform.
The charter originally was framed at m
especially unfortunate period OF the history OF
the city for laying the foundation OF . plan of
city goyerament-a period OF unprecedented
commercial activity following the great Ore. the
population rapidly increasing aud the people
busfly engaged In building anew the city and
gathering together the severed ends OF their
business connections II was not TO be won
0ered that the charter was framed upon the
same broad lines, entailing upon US . plan Of
city government that would suffice for . city
many times larger than seattle. nor 10
10 strange that the charter was adopted
by the people. They had not the
time to scrutiuise or criticize the work
OF the commission. and blindly ratified that
which Was not thoroughly understood by them.
After only eighteen months trial the defects
were 20 glaring that al amendment became .
necessity. A charter amendment commission
was appointed that made . few admirable
changes, only they did not apply the pruning
the instrument the many sections necessitatlng
the appointment OF numerous useless ofiicisls,
commissions, ETC.. comprising In the aggregate
Q complex municipal government without
sponsible head. For II Is . ismentable fact that
even the chief executive Of this city cannot
Justly be held responsible for the business
methods and actions of the various boards ana
commissions OF the city, over which he has but
little If any control, aside from the power OF
appointment And we all know how easily
promises are made before appointment, but how
hckle IL memory after being safely ensconcsd In
offiss.
The amendments 70 the charter shodld, in my
opinion, be In line with the criticism offered. /
think that the charter should DO so amended 40
70 make the mayor the actual head OF the city
government and % place the responsibility
that he viii be responsible for the proper adj
ministration Of afsirA I mean. of course.
aside from the powers OF the city council, over
which he can assume but two functions, one
being tho power OF recommendation, the other
the power Of approval or disapproval Of its
measured
believe that better and more economical
legislation can be obtained from city council
consisting OF one house, and should like to SEQ
that article OF the charter constituting the iegis
laiivs dep artment amended so as 20 provide for
city council consisting OF one house composed
OF two members 20 DO elected from each ward
This would at present make . body Of eighteen
pembefa
The dual house makes legislation cumber-
some and there 10 such friction between the
houses a. 20 tend to delay Ii not 70 defeat meas
ures which are OF the most importance.
The original trainers Of the charter provided
for two houses, thinking one house would b q
check upon tho other, thereby securing safer
legislation. citing Al an example the congress Of
ths United States and the legislatures of the
various states OF the Union. II Is not TO be de-
MED that this IL true regarding them. but a city
council t. not 10 DO compared % those bodies,
and that which 10 emineutly successful In one
II apt to Be in the other failure. Take the
state Legislature for an example, The members
are Tar removed from the great majority OF those
that their legislation win effect and IL is proper
that the people shall have the time that 1, takes
to pass measure through both houses TO be
heard upon tho subject
With ths city council it 10 entirely different
The people affected by the legislation are with.
In the corporate limits OF the city. They are
familiar with the proceedings OF the city couu.
ell through the medium of the public press in
which the proceedings are published In frii
aud that jealousy with which the American
citizen guards his individual rights and prop.
Srty interests against the enercaehment of ella. .
or faulty legislation is in itself sufficient, safe
quart Besides, house composed OF eighteen
members. 80 constituted taat il will require the
majority vote OF su the members to finally pass
measure. will insure as great safety as NJ pres-
cuk For now 10 requires oaly Eve affirmative
votcs Ia each house TO finally pass bill, aud tas
msyor will have ths same power OF disapproysl
that he nov hss. Tho members of . council of
cue holy VIII have the advantage OF the views
OF . large number OF their colleagues uron ALI
questions that nsy ssisc. while committee work
viii 10 made more simple and measures of
known importance can he more sxpsai;iousiy
enacted.
One house Is more economical, as IL W Ill allow
committees of the council 10 perform the duties
of tina various commissions now existing. With
tAe dual house this is not practicable. believe
that the couDci.men should to elected for a
term of four year.. ons-hali of the hrst body 10
he eseclsi tor two years This will insure tia,
al least onc-aaif OF the membership of the house
w,G 10 experienced and conver<aas with The
needs and AFFAIRS Of the city upon the csganiss-
Ton Of every council
Tia. article OF the charter constituting the de-
rartment OF pubic worss Is peculiarly snscert-
lille q. amendment, Erecting by SO doug a
change taas Will rasSe the board OF public works
far mere efficient and greatly reduce tie presen
expenses OF this department.
There can he no question Of the Importance Of
hoard Of public works and TO abolish II would
to unwise. I think taz, the board should be
constituted a. follows: The m&yor OF the city
10 be ehssrrnsn sx oaaeio. the city engineer and
SECRETARY OF tha board the other two mslaasrs.
che mayer to have the appointment o. the city
engineer " no shali b al accom- plishei en~,-
reer. AID the secretary of tie haara. no shah
he = competent business man. satjee; u TIE sp-
rsovag OF tie city council The beard thus con-
st;usea TO be clothed with shs powers Of tire
existing hoard. excepting. Of course. the sp-
psinsnsent Of the of5eers above named. tbs
viii eject saving in salary now PAID 90 the