The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-01-03
THE CITY COUNCIL.
Work on the Front Street Sewer
Ordered Pushed.
AMENDMENTS TO THE CHARTER.
The Eurean OF Labor Statistics De
feated-No Hope OF Having . sia-
gle Couneil-Gradfng streets

/ session last night. The board OF aldermen
| met with President Cram in the chair.
/ Corporation Counsel Donworth s6vises
| the council that any appropriation 10 6uy
| picture of Seattle for the MId~inter fair
/ would be unlawful. 4 communication vas
| read from Deputy Comptroller Blackstone
| announcing that there was considerable
/ money offered FOR street bonds. and recon-
| fnsadlng that steps pe taken 10 act on Pc
| ti,sons for stree: grading under the bond
| system. Mr.. Blackstone explained the
/ condition of unsold bonds. and il was
| resolved TO ask Mr.. Don worth 10 write an
| opinion on the matter.
Alderman Carrie reported that It Was too
late TO change The limits of the Third pre-
cincf. Seventh ward.
/ The bill 10 allow Clancy & Burns TO have
| musicians in their saloon vas passed.
The board then took up the charter
| amendments. beginning with the ne.
/ proposition known as initiative aud refer
| enaum- 1t requires the council 20 submit
| to the people any proposition endorsed in
/ a petition ny twenty-five per cent of the
registered voters. I:wss passed.
| The amendment creating the Office Of
| commissioner OF labor statistics was read.
| Alderman Miller said the people wan ted
| the charter amended TO reduce offices, not
| to make new ones.
| Alderman Jordan replied that if the peo-
/ pie did not want it they could vote il
| down.
| IL only secured three votes and was de-
| fea.ed, but Brewer gave notice to recon-
| slider.
| The amendment recognizing the coun-
| ell SO that there shall he only one house.
/ with the tve holdover aldermen 20 serve
| out theic terms, was read and voted down
| By 6 TO ., namely: Nays. Carrie Cram,
| Daalton. Jordan, Sweeney, Stocks; yeas.
| Miller. Brewer.
The amendment abolishing the park
board and putting the control of the de-
| partment in the board of public works
| was passed.
By request. City Engineer Thomson ex-
| planned the effect OF proposed amend
ment to the method of creating local as
sessment districts. and it was adopted.
| Alderman Sweeney voted against all the
| amendments, because" he said, "the
| legislature passed an act at the last session
| taking from the city the power to assess or
collect taxes without the people being
| allowed To say whether they desired il or
not. 1t has been upheld by the supreme
| court, aud if the legislature has
the power to take any part of the
| charter away without our consent. then.
he asks. OF what use is il amending it by
vote of the people? Therefore. as our
present charter serves rs a bill OF rights
| until the legislature desires TO change il,
without asking our permission. all that
the city can do is liable TO lead to litiga-
ton instead of enabling US to do the work
OF the city in a manner better than at
present"
City Engineer Thomson submitted an
ordinance for the construction of a sewer
on Madison street. explaining that the
lines OF Randolph street are not located rs
they seem TO be on the plat. The bill was
passed.
The old controversy over the lines of
Edes & Knights addition. especially as
they affect Hyde street. came up again. A
number of interested property owners ap.
reared and Or. Rooms addressed the board
in explanation of the situation. He of
fered. on behalf of owners, to move back
eastward thirty feet If the city would pay
the cost. Il. w. Wiichell, who owns
property on block IS, also spoke in favor OF
the proposed adjustment.
Alderman Sweeney at considerable
length related the difficulties to overcome.
and DIR. Jordan objected TO the CITY being
called upon to pay out money for street.
Alderman Brewer said the trouble was due
to an error of a city engineer and he be-
lieved the city should assume the respon.
sibility.
The matter was referred to Alderman
Jordan for inquiry.
The resolution authorizing immediate
1
passed.
The following ordinances were also read :
For the construction of a sewer on Madi-
son street; passed.
Correcting errors in transcript of entries
on the CITY treasurer's books in connection
with the krug settlement; passed
/ Authorizing the city treasurer TO make
changes in the delinquent assessment roll
for 1892; passed.
Providing for the reassessment OF Weller
and Division streets; passed.
| Appronriating 81 7g3 from the water fund
for the Northwestern Supply Company /;
| passed.
For water main on Rainier street;
passed.
Extending time for completion of Adam
street; passed.
The board adjourned until o'clock to-
day.
| All the members OF the mouse OF dele
gates except Drew were present at the
meeting last night.
\ number Of petitions for small stree,
improvements. etc. sere referred to au-
| propriaie committees.
The petition of r NJ. Crawford and 9th
ers for street lights on HYDE street VA.
referred 10 the Judiciary committee with
instructions 70 prepare an ordinance grant
ing the uettion.
4 numerousy signed protest against the
construction of the Front street sewer in
such manner as would shut down tho
cable road WAS presented. IL was accom-
panied by communications from the board
Of public works. stating that il was neces
ssry 20 begin the work now and a.kins
the council 20 name the day when the
work should begin, and also one from
Mayor Ronald stating the same :hins and
adding that less Inconvenience would b
caused nov than at any other time, ant
that 81 sYent nov would confer a IA
greater benefit TO the laboring classes thar
larger sums st any other time
{ +. Raglsy was invited to speak unor
the matter OF the protest. He said tbs
there was no opposition TO the building O,
the sewer. bat 20 the shutting down of ;hs
eaele road. He called attention to the fac
that the usual winter storms are vet Il
GENE and If work is begun now grea
damage may be caused. Work couid b,
done on other sewers ordered and ,nis on,
- = Naz 80