The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-03-20
THEMAYOR'SM MESSAGE
New City Council Enters Upon
Its Two Years Task.
SCENES IN THE CITY HALL.
Mayor PheIps' Businsss-ffks Address
Received with Great Ghsers-
New Couneiimen.

tnronxed By h1nure1s o. ciIsSus 'as@
night TO see the old administration sue
ceeded by the new and 10 listen 10 the first
message Of Mayor Phelps. James Bogarf
had enlivensd the ball by profasion OF
flowers. The city council sen, an invita-
ton To Mayor Phelps TO be present, and
on bis arrival he was greeted with enshu-
sIastic cheers. which were renewed when
he accepted . seat on the rostrnrn beside
the presiding officer OF the board OF alder
men. r. II. Stewart acted IS chief clerk
and called the board to order.
The credentials oil the new aldermen
were examined by a committee and
Messrs. Alexander Anderson. III. r. Comp
ton. II. l.. Ciise and NJ. W. Loyejoy de-
clared duly qualified 90 occupy seats at tie
board. The roll was then called. and the
board proceeded TO elect presiding officer
A ballot xas taken. which resulted IS fol-
lows: Miller. S; Dsnlton. ?; Jordan. l.
Mr.. 1,eander Miller was declared elected.
Mr.. Miller expressed his intention TO do
his duty without fear or favor and when
ever FIVE members desired a change he
was ready 10 step down and out. Presl-
dent Miller then introduced Mayor Phelps.
20 whom James Bogart presented hand
sorpe bouquet. His honor said this vas
the frs. time he bad ever been present at
o meeting al the board OF aldermen. lie
promised to meet them az often as possi-
bic and bother them as little as possible.
iAppiause.
The council then went into joint session
to listen TO the reading OF the mayors
message. As Mr.. Phelps went forward TO
. seat By the president he was greeted
with great cheering and made brief
acknowledgment. asking that the council
give him their support.
City Clerk Stewart read the mayors
message, as follows:
SEATTLE, March 10. 1894
ITO the CITY Couneil--Gsatiemsn The
arduous duties Of the pos tion from which
retired few hours ago baseag acen rem
dered still more onerous by the necessity
of making the transfer 10 riy successor at
time OF heavy demands upon the office,
have rendered 1t impossible for me To
make special inquiry concerning the affairs
Of this municipal corporation. | shall,
therefore. at this time offer nothing more
than fea general suggestions, deferring
specific expression OF my views on several
important matters for as long time as
may be necessary to carefully inquire into
and ascertain existing conditions.
I'VE have been entrusted by the people
with the management of important and
sacred interests. Let Us care for them
with the same prudence, honesty. diligence
and economy that We would apply to the
conduct of our own private affairs. sub
ordinating all considerations OF personal
and partisan aggrandi cement to the public
veal. We stand pledged to honest. ef-
fcient and economical governne This
pledge must be kept
''ln order that We may act intelIigently
In the conduct Of affairs We must know the
conditions that confront us. To this end
shall consider It duty to- Immediately
institute q searching inquiry into tho
financial status of the city, not with
view Of theorizlng upon the methods
which have produced present conditions.
hut tor the sole purpose OF knowing ex-
actly what these conditions are. 1t is my
opinion that we shall do well 10 avoid
holding post-morsem examinations of
former administrations and that our time
may be more proiitaby spent In providing
for present and future needs.
1T Ii my purpose directed to this same
end--to inaugurate thorough revision Of
the methods Of keeping accounts. begin
ming with the comptroller's Office and ex.
tending 10 every department Under the
present system the comptroller is depend
ent entirely upon the reports of the CO.
ordinate departments, with the result that
his books ara but little better than
compilation OF valueiess and, often
times. misleading statistics. Not only
does this system fail TO serve rs
check upon departments. bnt II also fails
To furnish reliable information ~ To the
actual condition of the city's finances. Al
the earliest possible date the actual tioat-
iug indebtedness. the exact condition of
each fund and other essential information
of like character will 90 laid before you
Thus you Will he enabled TO act intelii-
gently and with due caution in the matter
OF spending the peoples money. The
present system OF ordinances estimating
the espsusea 81 each department, To me
appears inefficient and conducive tn waste.
Tie council shoad. ut the earliest posi-
bic moment, have laid before IL an esti.
mate Of the probable income of the city for
the remainder OF the fiscal year and make
an superintendent of the funds, beyond
which no department should he permitted
to Incur expenditure of any kind until the
income Of tho city Is ascertalnei ,o To suf-
ncient 10 meet it,
THE rigid economy demanded by tho
times can De secured only by retrenchment
In every department We must cut our
coat to the cloth furnished us and the pep-
pie must help IA do II. III they want the
heavy burden of taxation icssened th.v
must be reasonable and unselnsh in their
demands What on their face may appe.r
10 be measures of urgent necessity must
Tor the time being. be conslter~d an.
necessary, u beyond the means Of the tax.
PAYERS. Funds aoS available for puh IL
Improvements should be expended atth
sctapuiou~ regard 10 utility aud economy.
but in such tnsnner as to- in 4 measure
relieve THE present distress oi labor but
Gil such work must lie furnished without
respect 10 political OF religious QuailfcA-
tlons- On the other haad the cay govern
ment is not an eleemosyuaFy institution
sad should not Incur needle and - aSts-
tst expenditures Tor the so,e pGrposs ol
furnishing work - those needing a.
The necessity Of an early aud radical
change la the c;ty charter. shollshtne un-
necessary boards aud providing a s.mpie
Al dsEect scaeme OF government. - con
coded 10 exist. fbe whole responsibility
al the executive department. shousd re
vestet In mayor "a he elected hlennislis.
and that OF a legislative department an n
common council consisting oi a repre-
sentative :rom each ward. the terra 81
office Of oae-shird 81 whom should expire
each year. 10 such pan thusS CT as
Who are noN entering upon the al msuis-
N@uon OF affairs stand committed hy eur
party platform AMI the ragsheatlon therso.
at the polls. aad - gaosu ~ yea who have
bad experience "a maulctrSl government
during the past t~o wears th.s p.Aa will.
am saFv. caGat0snd itself
Inc condition. o} street grade assess.
9suts under the teu-yssr boai xysgefa
euoaid receive prompt attention tAsa -.
tinqasnt grade assessfo~uEs are collected
eN process 81 law. bot sotae ST The IRON
ssty owners 90 stretss tps provrsi un4rr the
new charter have detaulIeA ~ Aota lnse~.
sss and snaGsl insIa4lalent> tst. - fsY a,
] Am snformed. 80 sssps have t~ea taken
- protect the p4rCA sSots ~ taa p@sff.f 49,
watch must lie done 20 MAINTAIN the t,v,.
osabllsty Of tie essy's ersSilt~-teyonA a.
p~rfuuesoTy sale ~ tae ysaV~rls ana g.,
purchase bF she cisy. kArre AZ other
ID fsaria htrh s,ats.s -