The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-11-15
TO WATCH THE MAYOR
Charter Revisers Retain the
Police Commission.
COMPROMISE WITH Holo-ovEas
Five Afaermes Carry Their Pefns-ons
Hssse % Efxhseen Members-Rask
Commissio Abolished.

The charter revision committee last
evening rejected the amendment By which
IL sas proposed 10 abolish the police COM
sion. and finally passed the amendments
substituting council Of one house for the
present dual council. aud aboiishing she
park commission
The meeting ope ned with discussion OF
the amendment proposed BY Alderman
Ingram 70 abolish the police commission
Mayor Ronald opposed the amendment.
He did not like 10 have the police depart
meat run entirely by the mayor, who
would appoint the chief. IF the mayor
were inclined 20 be dishonest" said he.
and want you 10 understand that the
mayor has lots OF chances 70 make money
on the side II be wants 20, especially IL ne
Is lawyer and will take big retainers and
attorneys fees, he would have the power
TO remove "a honest chief Of police on
mere prebxt" Corporation Counsel Dom
worth also spoke in opposition 70 the
amendment ana cited the history of sew
eral Eastern cities where the management
OF the police Department. by the mayor and
chief Of police had uniformly been . fail
ure.
DIR. Kloeber and Mr. Scott were also OPP
IL desirable to keep the police department
as free from political influence as possible.
The first section OF the amendment did
not receive single supporting vote, and
the amendment was referred hack TO the
subcommittee for further consideration.
Mr.. Scott called up the proposed amend
fnent substituting one house for the two
houses of the present council, the one
TO- sas ~ ID
allowing the FIVE hoIdoyers TO continue in
Office. Mayor Ronald moved an amend
ment substituting one house of nine
members, which was put and lost. The
question of adopting the proposed plan as
whole was then put to vote. Mr.. Dom
worth explained that the plan proposed
contemplated the election OF aldermen
and delegates as under the present char
ter, but that the two houses should be
merged into one il the people adopted
this amendment. Mr.. Scott thought this
proposition fair compromise with those
aldermen who did not wish to legisIate
themselves out OF Office. The plan was
adopted by the following vote:
Ayes--Armstrong, Donworth, Kerr,
Kloeber. Ronald, Scott.
Noes - Cram, Crichton, Ingram and
DSGa-L
The amendment was referred TO the
committee on law and revision 10 have it
properly prepared 10 receive title.
The committee report submitting the
amendment which provided for the aboli-
ton of the fire commission was taken
up. Mayor Ronald moved to reject the
report, which was lost, only three voting
in favor. The proposition then went over
until the next meeting.
Mr.. SCOTS proposition that unless two
thirds of the aldermen vote against con-
firmation of an appointment by the mayor
such appointment be confirmed, was lost.
The proposition to strike out the word
"freeholder' in the enumeration of the
qualifications for office of members of the
board of public works was lost by vote of
to L This vote was subsequently, recon-
sidered on motion of DIR. Kleober, who
changed his vote. and the proposition was
carried by a vote of 8 10 ~
The amendment providing shat the men,
bers of the board of public works should
be also superintendent OF water works,
superintendent of streets and sewers, and
superintendent of buildings, bridges and
wharves was carried.
The proposed amendment abolishing the
park commission was placed on Its final
passage and adopted.
The committee adjourned until Thurs
day evening.