The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-01-14
EIGHT-PAGE EDITION

lature should have chance TO investigate
so as to ascertain if the commissioni
course had been right in cases where there
was SO much diversity of opinion. The
passage of the bill would enable the com,
mission, he said. 10 establish the harbof
lines II had projected in the city of Seat
tie; lines that many people of that city
believed would impair the harbor for all
time. He argued that no great harm
could be done by allowing the board to
lapse
Mr.. Meany asked that action on the bill
be deferred, and that 1t be referred TO
committee. He said that he would not he
doing his duty 10 his contitutents if he
did not protest against railroading the bill
through. He declared that there was ab-
solutely no necessity for passing the bii.
without consideration.
Mr.. Mays said he agreed with the King
county representatives. If the object of
the bill was to keep the commissioners in
office he would contribute TO fund for the
continuance of their salaries during the
interim.
Mr.. Hurd said that the rights of the
people would be lost if the bill failed to
pass.
Mr.. White favored immediate passage.
He declared that the bill was being op-
posed by the railroads. which wanted to
take advantage of the lapse of the COM
mission. The interests of the state re-
quired that the commission be continued.
Every man in his district favored it.
Mr.. MeanY appealed TO the house to
hesitate, in view of the fact that so much
opposition TO the commissioners work
had been stirred up in Seattle He as
SrHe Z fbat haf,, l.,
take snap judgment.
Mr.. Salee insisted that the commission.
ers should have been nj work closing up
their business during She last two days in
stead Of ''loitering about the hotels"
Mr.. McEiwain spoke in favor of the
bill. the house then got into a parlia-
mentary tangie over the proposition to
suspend the rules, during which Mr..
Wheeler insisted on holding the toor and
speaking or the subject, while Mentzer
bombarded him with points of order in
rapid succession. which were sustained by
the speaker. Cries of Question" swelled
into an uproar. ANA finally Judson in
sisted that Mr.. Wheeler must take
his seat whenever u point of or
der was raised to his remarks.
Mr.. Wheeler gave up the floor. The
previous question was moved and
defeated by vote OF is TO 46. and Judson
expressed his opinion of those who OPP
posed the reading OF the bill, thus. "rhese
gentlemen hoiier here before they are
hurt" Finally a vote was reached on the
motion to suspend the rules, and it was
lost.
As both houses have adjourned until
Monday, nothing can now save the life of
the commission beyond Sunday. Col.
Prosser, chairman of the commission, said
tonight in answer to an inquiry as to how
the failure of the legislature to pass the
bill would affect the work Of the commits
sion:
II simply creates an fnterregnum which We
hope may not prove unfortunate for the inter-
ests OF the state Il suspends, emporsrily at
least much important work now being carried
on by the commission. There several suits
still pending against us, and the termination OF
our commission leaves no one upon whom serv-
ice can be made and no one to prosecute these
suits TO a final determination. A temporary ex-
tension OF our term would give the Legislature
time 10 enact such laws with reference to a per-
manent commission and tho dehuins OF its
powers and duties In connection with the care,
control and management Of the commercial
interests OF the state upon its water fronts
as the legislature In its wisdom may
see proper TO prescribe. Legislation upon this
subject is of q very important character, and
will require and no doubt receive careful con-
sideration before final action is taken. The
present commission has not the slightest objec-
tiou TO an amendment to the pending measure,
reducing TO thirty or TO twenty days, or TO such
time as may be deemed expedIent by tho iegis-
ture, the extension of its term, the only object
being to afford time for wise legislation and in
the meantime carry on the work which the COM
mission has now on hand, so that the interests
OF the state may not suffer because of even .
temporary interruption.