The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1893-09-07
A VERY BAD ORDINANCE
Assessment and Collection Of Taxes Said
to Be Illegal.
APPEAL TAKEN TO A HIGHER COURT
Busy Evening with the City
Ceuneii.--Judge Graves Decision
In an Injunction Care--.The Hob o
Prepssisien.-0sher Matters.

Fropostttons~0ther mattere.
A full board Of aldermen greeted the
ma yor's rap for order at the council meet
ing last Monday evening. The session
was an unusually busy one In some re-
spects, matters Of urgent importance be-
ing brought up for immediate cons;dera-
ton. Chief among these were the inter.
ests affected bv Judge Graves recent de.
cision In the case Of injunction filed to
prevent the sale of certain lots for taxes.
While the judgment Of the court did not
adversely affect the character OF the city
charter, II appeared to knock higher than
Gilderoy"s kite the ordinance under
which the levy and collection were made.
II Judge Graves decision be perfectly in
accordance with the law in the case, our
assessments have been Illegally made for
FIVE years; but City Attorney Murane
suggests that an appeal be Immediately
taken to the supreme court, II being his
belief that the judgment OF the superior
court will be materially modified. The
council made provision for the appeal Of
the case straightway, the city attorney
affirming his belief that he could, by
stipulation, secure hearing in the Octo.
Der term Of the higher court He was in.
structed to proceed with preparation for
the appeal.
The assessment OF city property for the
last fiscal year must, in accordance with
the decision, however, be re made 10 con.
form with conditions of the territorial
law Of 1886; the value OF the property
thus levied on must be returned as of the
first OF May, instead OF the first of August
The clerk was ordered to make the neces.
sary correction in the assessment roll.
A new ordance governing this import.
ant matter must be passed, suggested the
city attorney, the one now in existence
being unconstitutional. He was instruct.
ed to prepare it.
This is q matter of grave importance
and 1t Is source Of amaze ment that the
defect in the ordinance was not discovered
long ago. Much confusion will no doubt
result. Mayor Prosser urged prompt and
most careful action in the matter.
City Attorney Murane suggested tina,
ex Marshal Cocks bondsmen be notified
to pay that officials delinquency immedi
ately or suit would be straightway begun
against them He was instructed to pro
coed in the matter.
No definite action has yet been taker
in the matter Of opening A street, al
though the mayor has had q conference
with Superintendent Prowell, of thi,
division of the Northern Pacific railway.
The company now being in the hands OIL
Il receiver renders progress well-nigh i'm.
possible. An effort will be made, how.
ever, to prepare definite report for ac
ton at the next council meeting.
The matter of sewer connections was
again discussed. Councilman Kingsbury
suggested that the power vested in the
council to abate nuisances was amply
sufficient to enable it to close up those
places of business that maintained them.
I'VE can do it, declared the captain EN-
phatically, land move you that the
marshal be instructed to proceed against
those who have refused TO obey the mum.
cipal Decree" Reed moved that the city
attorney prepare an ordinance providing
adequate punishment for those who per
sisted in maintaining nuisances agains,
the health, peace and dignity Of the city
The attorney was so instructed.
The tramp problem ELECTED lengthy
discussion as to the most expeJient action
to be taken therein. A special meeting
of the council had been convened on Sat.
urday night to provide means Of feeding
the idle men about the city, and with CO..
operation Of the Hop Growers associa-
ton, established free lunch-counter
from which it has since been feeding the
unemployed. As general thing, how
ever, they are worthless lot of vaga-
bonds who refuse to split wood for fire
to cook their meals or peel potatoes for
their soup. The city has been feeding
about 400 men in this way. but officially
declared that it would give its last meal
on Monday morning, at which time all
unemployed strangers loafing about town
would be compelled to leave instanter.
The people of the city will heartily en-
dorse that action.
A few of the men thus existing on
charity assisted the street commissioner
to sprinkle the streets in the more popu-
lous residence districts of the city. APP
paratus of the fire department was used.
The city councilnen deserve commend
alton for the manner in which they have
personally interested themselves in this
matter. They have neglected their own
private business TO look after the ones
ton Of ameliorating the condition of the
unemployed who have listlessly driited
into North Yakima.
Many other minor matters were con-
sidered for an account OF which we have
no room this week. Space will be Accord
ed them la.er.