The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-02-22
THE CHARITIES AMENDMENTS.
w. r. scetf and George Donworth BE.
fore Chamber of Commerce..

w. r. Scott and George Donworth Be-
fore Chamber Of Commerce.
Discussion Of the charter amendment.
to be voted upon at the coming election
was the special order of business last even
ing at the regular monthly meeting of the
Chamber OF Commerce, Pres ident Graves
in the chair. W. T. Scott. who was q
member OF the charter revision commit.
tee, had been selected to explain the diff
ferent amendments, and had prepared his
sentiments in writing. Corporation Coun-
sci Donworth was present to answer ques-
tions concerning the legal aspects of the
amendments, the changes made from the
present charter, etc.
Mr.. Scott discussed the proposed amend
ments in numerical order, explaining their
bearing and expressing his opinion of
them. A number of those present asked
questions. which were answered by Mr..
Scott. whose experience on the charter re-
vision committee made him familiar with
the subject. Mr.. Scott spoke at some
length In favor o. the initiative and refer
endum amendment. and illustrated its i'm
portance by the case OF the board of alder
men, which refused to submit an amend
ment maintaining bat one house in the
council. Should the present amendment,
No. 6, be adopted, the aldermen could be
compelled to submit any amendment de-
sired by the people. He also spoke strongly
in favor of the amendment arranging a
system of deposit of city funds in city
banks and drawing them out again. The
amendment providing for bureau of
labor statistics, whsle mildly favored by
Mr.. Scott, brought ont pertinent questions
from DR.. Samuel Ramsey and J. ]. Nc
Gilvra. Mr.. Scott favored the adoption of
all the amendments.
Mr.. McGiivra called attention to the
constitutional provision that amendments
TO the charter could only be voted upon
1t a general election, and asked If this
meant n municipal or state election. or
both. Mr.. Scott was inclined to believe it
meant only general municipal elections.
which he thought would be desirable. but
declined 10 express any opinion without
investigating il further.
Corporation Counsel Donworth devoted
considerable time to answering questions
regarding the changes effected by the
amendments relating TO local assessment
districts, and gave 1t rs his opinion that
the proposed method was an improve
ment on the present one. Regarding the
initiative and referendum Mr.. Donworth
stated that he was in favor Of 1t ~ IL now
read, p per cent Of the voters having to
sign the petition.
w. q. Armstrong, also q member of the
charter revision committee, spoke briefly
on the amendments establishing . free
labor bureau and the initiative and refer
endum. The latter would enable the peo-
pie TO amend the charter despite the coun-
Gill;
The subject Of street paving was to have
been one of the subjects of the evening,
but on account of the length of time con-
sumed on charter amendments was post
poned.
The following were elected members of
the chamber: John NJ. Lane, George F.
Gund, W. l.. MeCabe, Frank T. Hunter,
r. Sartori, Edward p. Tremper, l.. DiI!er.
Douglas Young. I. ii. Cam, r. w. Barto
and J. ]. McGilvra.