The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1893-04-06

section 739 edition Of 1s90), at is one
OF the distinguishing features Of our mu-
nicipal institutions that local rates {of
tsxation) shall be locally imposed by
those who have to pay them or bear
their blunder; and this power from very
early periods has, in the different states,
been constantly delegated to. and exer-
cised by, the local authorities"
ii this position be sound, then the pow
err, under the new charter, to assess and
collect taxes, which We now hold under
the existing charter, could not be as
wisely exercised by the state, or what is
practically the same thing, by the county
as by the people Of this city, whose
credit is NORMALLY at par, and who
would be at very great disadvantage in
the regulation Of their financial affairs
on the part of the state and county au-
thorities, who have no interest in COM
mon with them; for in the necessary
public works, improvements and admin
istration of the city, under the limited
levy OF ten mills on the dollar, an as
sessed valuation under the new charter,
by the county assessor, equdiized BY the
county board Of equalization, such as the
county assessment has heretofore been,
our local assessment would not yield
more than one-half to two-thirds OF the
revenue necessary for municipal pur-
poses; our warrants, now nominally at
par, would be deprecated, and instead of
being a law unto ourselves, working out
our destiny as q city, by concerted action,
these things would be done for us by
higher power, over which the city and
its people can have no control. The re-
suits would inevitably depreciate the
good name and credit of the city.
In the single matter of impounding
stock, hazard the opinion that under
the new charter there is no express au-
thority, as there should be, to impound
and sell when necessary estray domestic
animals, and this power is expressly del
egated to the city under the old charter, a
provision made for the protection OF the
irrigation bitches and growing trees from
destruction.
In conclusion, after q careful COMPARE
son OF the old charter and the new one
with its various amendments, l submit
the following differences in favor of the
old charter:
The old charter, especially adapted to
our local needs, cannot, under the consti-
tuition, be amended, thus insuring its sta
bility.
The old charter is ample in it's capacity
to adapt itself to our growing wants as u
city, no matter to what extent the city
may grow.
Should any defect in the old charter be
found the legislature can supply the want
by curative act, generally applicable to
all charters. existing at the adoption Of
the state constitution.
Nv.
The old charter is liberal In all its pro-
visions, especially as to the right OF emf
nent domain, the right to impound stock
and regulate our local financial concerns
V.
In the freedom from legislative inter
vention the old charter is supreme and
not, as the new one has been shown to be
a thing to be waited about by every legis-
lative wind that blows.
Nv.
II the citizens Of North Yakima should
adopt the new charter, with its manifest
defects, when compared with their own.
and the city should grow to ten thousand
inhabitants, they would then have to 90
through the for.n and expense OF another
re reorganization into a city of the second
class. And then should the city, in after
years, contain twenty thousand popula-
ton, they would have the power to frame
charter of their own, which more than
likely would be counterpart Of the one
under which they are now living.
Respectfully,
JOHN Il. BOYLE,
City Attorney.