The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-11-08
REFORM is BLOCKED.
Five Democratic Aldermen
Defy the People.
CRY TAX LEVY TO BE u MILLS.
No Hope OF Gssts.g ma 81 sAs rsvs
Hefdsvers-Tws Heases 20 Ne Geo.
ssnued-sysseza OF Ixitiasavs.

Five men have succeeded In thwsrting
any effort 20 submit 90 the people whether
or not there shall be one or tso houses
q TIE city council. At the meeting OF the
charter revision COMMITTEES held last might
the ultimatum Of the board Of aldermen
mat they would refuse 20 submit 20 the
voters any proposition which did not per-
pesuate the terms OF the i've hoid-over
aldermen vas read. and the Republican
member. w. 7. Scott. expressed the cpin-
Ion that il Was hopeless % attempt 20 do
away with one house The matter was
allowed TO lie without action.
The committee on Law and revision pre-
scented majority report recommending
that II 10 per cent. Of the registered voters
petition for any amendment 70 the charter
II shall be the duty Of the city council 10
submit IL 10 the voters at the next general
election.
Mr.. Donworth opposed its adoption be-
cause he believed it not good way to in
sure amendments TO the charter. does
not afford sufficient deliberation for
changes. Anybody will sign petition for
anything. and II this proposition Is adopted
tie council will have no discretion, and 1t
viii be submitted TO the people merely as
kinds Of amendments would be proposed
and adopted. No council. he said, dare re-
fuse TO submit TO the people any amend
ment petitioned for By 10 per cent. Of the
voters. jet they would have no right to
harmonize the amendment with existing
provisions.
w. T. Scott moved to make the number
70 per cent of the registered voters. Il
might become desirable 10 give the people
the power to vote on q proposition TO
which the existing council might object
lie did not believe IS per cent would Pc
tition for an undesirable amendment.
Alderman Jordan thought that to make
1t IS per cent. would kill the bill.
Mr.. Armstrong; experience was that 1t
was difficult TO get signatures TO such pc
tition. Such a thing could not be done Sc
cretiy. Long before 10 per cent. could be
secured the newspapers would be found
discussing the subjects.
Robert Bridges said the laboring people
OF the city had fully considered the propo-
sition and favored it. 1t was we'll under
stood that the people were too indolent,
and right such as this would quicken
their interest
Mr.. Harbaugh being granted the floor
spoke In favor of per cent. petition.
In Switzerland. he said, the percentage
was only III. The system Is called the
initiative and referendum. As 1t Is now
If i've men object to an amend ment IL in
no. submitted.
Mr.. fDonworth warned the committee
that the proposition would be disastrous,
because amendments would be submitted
which would be entirely inharmonious
They could not hope that with mass of
amendments there could be careful dis
elimination in voting. No organic law
can be formulated except by deliberation.
Mr.. Scott said four-fifths Of the voters
want single house. yet DIR. Jordan, who
had q few moments before talked about
the will of the people, had deliberately re-
fused to submit the proposition to the
people.
The proposition was adopted with Rom
AIDS amendment TO make the proposition
Is per cent, and referred to the revision
committee.
Mayor Ronald's plan Of q board Of pub
lie works was read, bat after considerable
discussion il was resolved to confine the
board to the superintendent Of streets,
water works and bridges, although Mr..
Drew tried to have the Offices of superin-
tendents of streets and buildings consol-
dated and the city engineer made the
third member.
The committee adjourned until tonight.