The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-11-17
SILENT VICTORY.
Republican Policy Adopted By
the Democrats.
An APpolnTrvE FIRE BOARD
The Charter Rsvtsion Ccnmassss Pre-
poses 60 MAKE the reIies and FIRE
Cemnfssions stafiar.

The underlying principle Of the freq
holders charter IS adopted by the people
in 1870 Was that the executive and Eegisia-
tive departments Of the city government
should not only be separate but entirely
distinct. For that reason the mayor Was
removed from membership Of the city
council, which body was restricted to
legislative duties In Difference 70 some
Of the members Of the commission. how
ever. this scheme Was 50 far modified IS
20 requlre the mayor TO submit his ap-
pcsntsnenss 20 the council for confirms
ton. The present revision COMMITTEES has
abandoned the lines of demarcation and
brought the entire administration under
the direct control Of the city council.
In keeping with the new doctrine Al
derman Cram last night presented 90 the
revision committee plan for the reorgani-
ration OF the ere department. His
amendment provides board of four fire
commissioners 10 be appointed by the
mayor and confirmed by the city council
Not more than two shall be OF the same
political complexion. and not more than
one from the same ward. This puts
the FIRE commission In exactly the
SEINE shape as the police commission. Aa
odd and not uninteresting phase Of the
matter Is that the plan for the sppointive
police commission was passed by the Re-
publican members of the treehclders'
commission, while that of the elective fire
commission was insisted upon by the
Democratic members. The Republicans
assented. not unwilling that the two
methods should have fair trial aide by
side. The Democrats now recede from
their old position and facility admit that
the Republican policy was preferable.
Under the proposed amendment the
commissioners will hold Office, one for one
year, one for two, one for three and one for
four years. There IL TO be no compensa-
ton allowed. The commissioners may
suspend the chief upon charges. but the
council is reserved the right 10 try them
and take Anal action. Other officers of
the department may be tried and dis
missed by the commissioners. The
amendment will be taken up az the next
meeting.
Drew's amendment providing for q
bureau of labor statistics, was adopted
without dissenting vote.
W. G.. Armstrong introduced an amend
ment providing that the city physician
shall have an Office at the city hall Mr..
Armstrong said this would save great
deal of trouble. The patrol could take
any injured person there who could have
immediate attention. He has noticed that
injured men are sometimes left for hours
without proper attention, although he
praised the police for their kind care of
injured persons while in their care. As il
10 now. the physician has to be hunted up
or the sufferer carried up four flights of
stairs.
II has been suggested that II the city
council shall consist of one body only. the
remaining chamber could be transformed
into municipal court. and the present
court, which Is in the basement of the city
hall. easily accessible, yet shut off from
all other parts Of the building and close
by the patrol wagon station, could be
turned into an Office for the city physician,
with ample space for an operating or
dressing room.
Chairman Drew announced that all the
principal amendments were now in, and
all that remained were of a minor char
acter except those relating to finance.
DIR. Crichton added that his sub-commit-
tee had written TO a number Of fnanciers
10 get their views on the best methods of
conducting the city treasury In business
way. Some replies had been received, and
by next week he hoped to be able TO report.
The committee adjourned until Monday
night.