The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-11-27
BOARD or ALpEEaES.
New Plan TO Collect street Assessments
Bids for City Printing.

Bids for City Printing.
Corporation Counsel Scott reported that
there appeared TO be an outstanding local
Improvement debt against the city of some
$1,000 for a large amount OF which the
city will become liable unless proper pro-
ceduse is adopted and. that prompt action
is imperatiyeIy demanded on account of
this contingent liability hanging over the
city. The city should place itself ia a
position to guard against judgments from
outstanding warrants. liz his communi-
cation he says:
Even in cases where the ultimate LA
oliity cannot accrue against the city. good
conscience demands that 1t should exer-
else all the power il possesses to supply the
funds out OF which outstanding warrants
are 10 De paid. In cases where il Is posi-
be for liability 10 be incurred, good
Judgment and the principles OF ordinary
business demand that sach course be
pursued a. will place the city in position
TO resist successfully any attacks that may
be n. AIDE on II by reason OF these warrants.
I'm all old assessments where suit has
been brought the cases should be pushed
TO immediate trial and a judicial deter
p,ination had as to the legality of the
assessment. In ali matters where suit
has not been brought, actions should be
Instituted and pushed to a speedy deter
mination. In every case where Judgment
goes against the city By reason OF defects
in the assessment. reassFssments should
at once be provided for. In all cases
where assessments have been heretofore
held Invalid provision for reassessments
should be made
There are about fifty streets on which
the deIinqueneies exceed 81 600 face each,
and IN some instances the amount due on
a single street exceeds 5000 There are
more than thirty other streets delinquent
81 600 and less.
's.fhe time ana labor involved in bring
ing and prosecuting the necessary suits
and preparing reassessmeBts IN cases
where the original assessment is invalid.
is great ana not easily appreciated by
those not brought face TO lace With the
task: bat however arduoas and difficult the
work the necessities OF the case demand
that il shall be undertaken and that with
out further delay. No matter what course
may he pursued by your honorable body,
| shall in n large measure he held respons-
ible for he condition of these matters at
the expiration of my term OF office.
Furthermore. this work belongs prop
erly in the law department, and / desire
il 10 be under my immediate supervision
and direction, II you shall see ut TO act in
this matter and provide for the carrying
out of the suggestions made herein and
by the comptroller; and IL seems TO me
that the one on whom Is placed the re-
sponsibility of results should control the
means employed.
The cases heretofore presented. Mr..
Scctt says. have not been pushed to a
satisfactory adjustment because the law
department has not had Immediate con-
troll of them. and owing to the vast amount
of business that has been allowed to accu-
mulate it will require the time Of one good
lawyer 20 do the wrok.
In accordance with the recommendation
of Mr.. Scott. an ordinance was submitted
directing the assistant corporation counsel
TO prosecute ~ once all pending suits for
the enforcement of street assessment. and
in all cases where suits have not been
commenced TO institute proceedings for
the collection of delinquent assessments.
The proposed ordinance also contains
provision that in cases where assessments
have been declared invalid the assistant
corporation counsel shall immediately
take steps 10 cause a reassessment The
ordinance provides for q salary of s.. 400
per year. The proposed measure was re-
ferred to the finance committee.
A communication was received from the
Seattle & Montana. the Seattle. Lake
Shore & Eastern. the Columbia & Puget
sound and the Northern Pacific railroad
COMPANIES. stating that they had been in
formed that the board OF public works
was about TO enforce the ordinance reQuir-
ing arc lights at raiIroad crossings. aad
asking for a re-sxfension Of the tine for
enforcing the ordinance. On motion OF
elise The communication was laid on the
table Similar disposition was made of
a communication from the board
Of nublie works IN reference 70 the ordi-
nance.
BIDS for city printing FOR the ensuing
vesr we're opened a. follows:
T,l,vroaA--Per Iineal inch. solid nonpa-
rvi. nrst insertion. b cents; subsequent
insertions. - cents.
PISS Tsnass-First insertion, 30 cents:
second. l. cents
The bids were accompanied by the usual
bond. the sureties for the Telegraph being
John Y. OslrandeF and Terence o Brien.
and for the Press Timss. John Collins and
Griffith Davies. The bids were referred 10
the Anance committee
The assessment roll for the improve
rpant Of Temperance street, from Bradley
"a Ninth. was approved. The total cost
!. estimated 20 lie ST. 30. Of which the
c,tv's portion is 81, 80 IS and the property
owners ST. IlT.sa The roll for the i'm
movement % Randolph street, from Msdi-
son 70 Bancroft. vas also approved. Caiy's
por;soa s4l4ii, property owners s., aS&s -.
total. s.. eooe4
The committee on claims reported on =
ram u4unicatiaa from the chief Of police n
refsrencs 10 the reward offered for the ar
rest Of Thomas Blsnck. the murderer Of
charles Rrissweli. and In accordance there
wtth recon nended ths. tie 80 be
divided equally among A. l. Hartley.
n.tecsive Cudihes and oaacer JEAN Cor
b@.t The report was adopted.
The street commissioner vas instructed
- reoalr nlsnkinr on Hcwel and Albert
streets. between Elehth snd Depos.
Miller snS Compton we're appointed
committee 10 inves.igste reported sale of
condemned srocsrfes damaged ~ the West
street hotel ire.
Concentration were acted On IS fol-
loss.
Eresa DeaElas YoaaS. iay.i.ng board -