The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-04-07
THECITIZENSLEAG
Letter From Mayor on Police
and Fire Departments
SALARY REDUCTION APPROVED.
Ne Leesss 11sses O0ssss, Sss HisAs
Toe Assy Are - Oss rsssy-
Psssy Bsss Oppsssa.

Some spice was injected into the meet
ing OF the Municipal League las. evening
by the question. several times raised, - 70
whether the ofdcsrs Of the organizations
and msmbsD Of committees should b all
Democrats Or part Republicans. Each
ssiiusion 70 the politics Of members wss
trssssd - huge joke. A letter received
rom Mayor Phelps Vas regarded - being
sarcastic, and By Way Of rstort resolutions
ssrs introduced asking the mayor 70 re-
tain the present chiefs of the police and
Ire departments The Isague indorsed
shs recent cut in salaries made By the
council.
President A. A. Denny presided. VIII.
White reported . set Of bylaws Of the
organization, which we're adopted with
sight amendments. The bylaws call for
three standing committees Of three men,
bers each, on Judiciary. expenditure OF
public funds and m executive committee.
Tbs latter 10 70 have charge Of the
organization Of auxiliary societiss In King
county. Under the bylaws the following
oficers were elected, A. A. Denny and n.
Willis Carr having already been chosen
president and secretary under the conssi-
tution: Senior vice president, z. 0.
Graves; junior vics president. DR.. @. A.
Weed: treasurer. Theodore N. Halter:
assistant secretary, Lawrence J. Col.
msn. When all but the last had been
rejected and nominations for that Office
we're being made @. 3. Dudley inquired IL
Il you'd not be . good plan to have q Re.
pnb!ican en- the list. ~ oil 10 far elected
we're Democrats. This was greeted with
laughter ana several gentlemen declined
the Office, including Herman Chapiu, n.
II. Latimer and w. ". Calhoun. Later In
the evening the chair appointed Judge
Thomas Burke. w. II. White and DR..
samuel Ramsey . committee to present Q
resolution TO the cornell, and Mr.. Carksek
Immediately raised the point that all three
were Democrats and thought that At least
one Republican should be on the commit
tee. DIR. Ramsey said he Was about to re-
mark that the chair mad named three hard
headed Democrats, and suggested that one
mot radical. but espectaDle- Republican
be put In his place - he did not want to
serve. President Denny took this to be
the sense OF the meeting. but after care
fully surveying the faces before him re-.
marked: well, where will find him %
This caused another outburs; Of laughter
and some one nominated A. P. Burweli.
who was not present. and he was put on
the committee. Mr.. White took occasion
10 remark that none Of them were Demo-
Gratis bat all were Mugwumps. and Mr.
Denny said IL was impossible for him 10
think OF the members of the organization
as either Republicans or Democrats
j. J. McGilvra offered n preamble and
reso ution which. alter considerable dis
cussion, the appointment Of q committee
10 harmonic different views and an inter-
vening recess. was adopted. and Judge
Thomas burke. w. Fl. White aud A. p.
Burweii were appointed . committee to
present them TO the council. The resolu-
ton was rs follows:
'WHEnEas. All governments are main
tanned by taxing the people, and Il Is tho
people who support the government, and
not the government that supports the peo-
pie and
"WnEREas. The general s,agnation in
business throughout the country and other
we'll known causes, makes IL an impera-
tive necessity that the city OF Seattle
should exercise the stricte.t economy In
the administration OF the government of
the city: and
''wHEREAs. The present city government,
of the city of Seattle has taken the first
step in the direction of leconomy and re-
An ordinance fixing the salaries aud
(, compensation of officers and employees of
the city Of Seattle whereby the annual
expenses of said city are reduced some
"a. go: and
"wHEREAs, Certain persons affected by
said ordinance, to-wit: certain officers and
employees OF said city, for selfish purposes
are vigorously and perSistentiy seeking to
effect a repeal or modification of said or
dinauce: therefore. be to
"Resoired. BY the Municipal League of
the city of Seattle, that said ordinance,
] No. 2.3oT, 10 ia the interest Of economy
and reform, and that tho Municipal
League of the city of Seattle will sustain
and support tho city government of the
city of Seattle not only IN the enforce
ment OF said ordinance. No. 1901, but in
Gil other just and proper measures in the
interest of economy and good govern
ment."
Mr. White presented resolution, which
5 vas adopted, calling on the committee on
expenditures of public funds. when APP
pointed. 10 investigate the controversy be-
tween the board of health and school
board over the dry closet system and re-
port II change in the schoolhonses was
Necessary.
The secretary read tho following letter
from Mayor Phelps, in reply 10 resolu-
tons sent him oy the league favoring nom
PARTISAN police and ire departments:
THE resolutions of you1league OF date
March II have been duly considered. VIII
briefly state that il you can formulate .
PRACTICAL and inexpensive plan to arrive at
your desires in regard TO any good method
OF selection OF firomen and police officers
such viii be most welcome.
II know you will permit me 10 say that
TO Ind men tor these services who arc
Trained and capable men, free from polit-
icsl bias and influences. Is not a very easy
matter. no more than you can select men
Tor any purpose who ara not In some way
connected with humanity.
by whatever way our present police
aud tire department. forces came about, 10
II not \ source of qualification that they
have attained their present state OF sfn-
sieneyY IL il can TO bettered ! am as
much In favor of it rs you can be and
ready to try 10 assist you, but tt's easier
TAXED OF than done"
The letter was referred to the judiciary
committee, but the wording created some
discussion VIII Carson regarded she
letter as slap in the face. and he did NOS
hssseve Mr.. Phelps bad dictated IL. that is
mus; havs been written by his typewriter,
etc. although the letter was In Mr..
Phelps own handwriting. Several Others,
inelui.ng Mr.. McGiivra and Mr.. White.
eoineidsi with the views expressed, and
Mr.. White took occasion to Introduce the
following resolutions In behalf OF MT.
Ssaves, Who MAS not present and 10 re-
nafk that they would zee what the mayor
would DO The resolutions went 10 the
Judiciary committee. and were:
- - A&NAFf-