The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-11-01
THEFIVEHOLD-OVERS
A Hot Fight Over the Four
Year Aldermen.
KEYSTONE OF THE slTuArlon,



The charter revisers had hard taxk last
night. their session being frequently in
tefrupted by calls for meetings Of the
council TO pass immediate bills. The main
topic Of the evening was Whistler there
snail Be two houses of the city councsl or
one. Most Of the committee seem 60 be In
favor Of one house. bat what the mum her
OF members shall be causes hitch. The
board OF aldermen consist nov Of nine
members. Of whom five were elected 10
hold until 1896. This would give them
the balance of power for two years more.
even II four members other than Demo-
Gratis should be elected. They are not
willing 70 relinquish. that authority,
which they must do If the board il In
creased to eighteen members. and also, Of
course, IL they consent to an entire re-
election. As every charter amendment
must pass each house separately the board
70 in position TO vote down any propo-
sitlon curtaiiing its prerogative.
w. 9. Armstrong last night offered an
amendment 70 the effect that the next
council shall consist of one house only.
with membership of eighteen.
Mr.. Donworth said he was heartily In
favor Of the proposition. It seemed to
him that il shey decided to have only one
house the best plan was 90 have an amend
ment that the conacii should consist OF
one body of eighteen, and at the mex.
election those who were elected a. alder
men and delegates should, II the amend
ment carried. constitute the council This
Will save voting for two sets of officers,
and the five aldermen elected last year for
four years will continue till the end oil
that term. III the amendment fails %
carry, the machinery of the government
will be left intact.
Mr.. Amstrmg said he had purposely
avoided naming the character Of the mem
bership. He desired to get the sense oil
the committee on the question whether
there should be one or two houses. That
being determined the other points could
be taken in their order.
Alderman Jordan's amendment was
taken up. 1t provides that there shall be
one house. 10 consist Of the FIVE hold-over
aldermen and four others to be elected in
1904
To that Mr. Armstrong moved to amend
80 a. to make the aldermen and delegates
elected in 1894 the members of the city
council.
Mayor Ronald moved as q substitute
that the council consist of nine members,
presided over blythe mayor, who should
have the deciding vote in case of tie. He
proposes also TO redistrict the city from
time 20 time 80 rs 10 have ward for every
5000, until the population Is LOG. coo. and
then the council shall consist of twenty
"A
means that on the next redistricting there
will be twelve members.
Alderman Jordan said the proper name
for Ronald's proposition was "gerryman-
DER" Every party in power would cut up
the city into lots to perpstuate itself in
power. There would be Republican,
Democratic and Populist districts
Replying to Mr.. Donworth, Mr.. Arm
strong said his purpose was TO have the
i've holdovers and thirteen new members.
Mr.. Scott objected TO the redistribution.
He was in favor of electing eighteen new
members at the next election without re-
gard to hold-overs. He advocated an an
nual election, nine members being elected
each year. He did not object to the mayor
being the presiding officer. He did not
believe the people would vote In favor of q
proposition 10 continue any members OF
the present council In Office. He was in
favor of giving the mayor the appointing
power without being tied down to contir-
nation by the council.
Mayor Ronald, replying TO Mr.. Jordan,
said he thought IL wrong that five men
could block the legislation of the city.
This was the case when threat was made
that unless the amendment perpetuated
the holdovers in power il could not pass
the board Of aldermen.
Mr.. Scott said he believed IL was the sen.
timent of the people that the mayor should
not DO longer hampered by any clique of
men who can say what the policy of the
city shall be when the charter expressly
puts the responsibility upon the mayor.
II the people do not approve Of the amend
ment they viii vote IL down.
Alderman Jordan said 10 had not been
suggested before that the mayor should
have the power Of the car. For his part.
he could say that the board of aldermen
had in the past regretted having been COM
PEELED to reject lot OF bad appointments.
The mayors motive was TO get rid of some
aldermen he did not like. His purpose
was 20 punish men who had differed with
him.
The debate was now assuming q very
threatening aspect. and Mr.. Donworth
moved that the subject be made the spe.
eiai order for Thursday night. to which
time adjournment was accordingly taken,
An amendment was flied which proposes
to change the charter so that If the board
of aldermen fail to confirm any nominal
ton by the mayor and he fail TO make
another nomination, the al termen AMI
delegates shall I'LL the vacancy in joint ses-
sion. Another proposition is that any
nomination by the mayer shall be consid.
cred confirmed unless two-thirds vote to
reject IL.