The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-01-11

duty. and according to its own showing, has
spent &c $50 of the peoples money fog Surveying
streets, so-called bouleyards, ETC., connected
with this visionary park system.
In this report there is a ludicrous larnentaton
that "'he park commission has severely suffered
from the lack of the power of condensation"
II they had this power it is easy TO zee how
severely the city would have suffered. They
never should have this power, and never will.
Some members OF this commission or this
committee of ten is evidently frost bitten i'm
migrant from Minneapolis, where nature has
provided no parks and they are diziicalt To es-
taolish and maintain. At any rate, tsis park
commission has become possessed OF a package
OF printed copies of IAN act to con soliiate all
acts relating TO parks and parkways in the city
OF Minneapolis and incident thereto, and de-
dnlng the powers and duties of the board of
park commissioners of said city, passed by the
legislature OF Minnesota March II, lsga This
act makes the board Of park commissioners of
the city OF Minneapolis separate and indie
pendent corporation with a commou sal, and
gives TO it extensive and extraordinary powers
Among these granted powers is the Eight to
purchase or condemn property, create arbitrary
assessment districts, issue bonds, etc. In their
report this board of park commissioners say:
This law has been laid before the corporation
counsel, who will draft q bill containing its
main provisions for submittance To tie next
legislature"
These men seem to be ignorant of the fact
that under our state constitution there can be
no such special legislation Us they seek.
II our own city charter is amended. 1t must be
by the votes of the people Our present city
charter conlers the power of eminent domain
upon the city council, where ii rig htSully be-
longs. 1t will not and cannot be changed ex-
cept by amendment TO the city charter by the
voters of the city themselves.
But these men have cOnSpired together. with
out consulting the people, and in plain words
over their own signatures, have shown what
they would do il they could.
The monumental assurance of this board Of
park commissioners ought 10 bring blush to
the cheek OF even a real estate broker, bunting
corner lots on Schwagerl's grand bou;eyards,
astride OF a government mule.
Parks. parkways and public squares are neces-
stiles in large and crowded cities, where the
people are pent up in tenement houses.
This country is one vast. magnificent natural
park, and every family has, or may have, its
own cottage, lawn, grove, shrubbery and fruit
trees.
Boulevard is French word, signfying "a
rampant, bulwark," also ga broad promenade
or street, as the houievards of Paris. which oc-
cupy the site OF demolished Notifications, and
hence derive their name"
Ii Mr.. Schwagerls operations were confined
TO the ramparts and bulwarks erected by the
early settlers during the Indian war he might
De permitted to indulge his extravaganza 1aneies.
Judge Wood, one of the COMMITTEES OF ten, is
out IN au article attempting to show that this
commission. under the provisions OF section 5
OF Article XIII OF the city charter as amended,
mas the power TO expeud the park funds III sur
Veys and plats outside OF the city parks As
we'll might he whistle against the wind, expect
ing to change its course, as to attemp: this
Section -, Article ", of the city charter ex-
6siV hat .sTh
have power to lay out, establish, open. alter,
widen. extend. grade. pave, plank, establish
grades, or otherwise improve streets, alleys,
avenues, sidewalks, wharves, parks ana other
public grounds, and regulate and control the
use thereof etc"
The park commissioners only have jurisdic-
ton within the limits OF the existing or pro-
1ected parks OF the city, and even then subject
to the supervision aud controi OF tie city
council
When the city OF Seattle desires this park
commission to run and ovsrrun the city govern
ment they will give due notice
The judge complains OF the wholesale arraign-
ment of those connected with this PARK and
boulevard scheme. from the mayor down.
l have not intended to be extensively rz,rsonal
in anything have said, but have intended to
be earnest and emphatic.
Many OF these men are my personal friends;
none OF them, so far as l know, are my enemies.
aud would not willingly make them So
nave no friends to serve, enemies to punish, or
favoTs TO ask in this matter. propose simply
TO 60 my duty one OF the citizens o. Seattle
At the meeting called and presdei ever by
Mayor Ronald, for the purpose of obtaining cub
scriptions to advertise Seattle at tho Worlds
fair. by means OF maps, ETC., one OF which was
no doubt the one prepared by the PARK COMMITS
sion with park funds; when his honor ciiscoy-
cred that the sentiment OF the people was not
responsive TO the call, he sarcastcally inquired
where the ''old spirit Of Seattle" was
When his honor leads in any undertaking for
the benefit OF Seattle, such as noting the
construction of the Lake Washington canal, en-
couragng manufacturing and commsrce. etc.
etc, he will find tho ''old spirit of Seattle and
the spirit of ''old Seattle" both, on hand, and
responsive.
One thought more, and am done with this
unpleasant subject.
The supreme court of the state has decided
that while cities OF the first class possess The alb
stract power OF eminent domain, the leg stature
has omitted to provide the manner in which it
can be exercised, and, therefore, such i1iunici-
pal corporation cannot exercise this r;ghf.
The legislature, at the present session, sill no
doubt supply the necessary legislation
Parks and so-called boulevards are for The use
and benefit of the whole city. and the entire
city should be made an assessment district for
pay for the property appropriated
This city has adopted that course in TIE case
OF the Yesler corner and the widening OF Front
Second. Commercial and other streets lis the
most equitable mode, and has tendency to
prevent that CORFU ptioa and jobbery that would
almost certainly result, if the city COUNCIL has
the power (it will never be gwen 10 the park
commissioners) 10 make arbitrary q sessment
districts, with view 10 practical couhscation
OF the property sought TO be condemned.
II the whole city has 10 pay for what it appro-
PIRATES it viii not be likely to appropriate what
il does not need.
Our constitution requires that propertg thus
appropriated shall be paid for irrespective OF
any benefits or supposed benefits resulting from
the proposed improvement. and have Nc doubt
the courts will hold that ii is the whofa city
and not part that must pay for property thus
taken. However that may be- the mode sug-
gested is al equitable one, and II adopted will
prevent iobbery and save vast amount If liti-