The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-03-18
THE MUNICIPAL LKA0 UK.


its Aims and Objecss-Psrmansat Or
ganisaston Effected.
Permanent organization Of the Munich
pal League was accomplished last evening
at q meeting Of forty to fifty persons at
the Chamber Of Commerce as far as carry
ing out the brief constitution presented
and adopted, which simply provided for .
president and secretary and such other
officers a. the bylaws might specify, the
bylaws to be adopted hereafter.
Hon. A. A. Denny presided and, ~ soon
as the meeting Was called 20 order, w. II.
White read constitution which he had
prepared and which was unanimously
adopted. The objects of the league are
stated as follows:
ITO separate the administration Of mu-
nicipal affairs from party politics; to Sc
cure at the earliest possible moment
amendments to the city charter of the
city Of Seattle, creating one legislative
house. clothing the mayor with full ex-
executive authority and responsibility,
abolishing useless boards. commissions
and officers; to vigilantly watch over,
critcise approve or condemn from time to
time the administration of municipal af-
fairs, and to advise from time to time, by
way Of petition or remonstrance, the
municipal authorities. touching the well
y
and discuss legislative reform in munich.
pal government"
Somewhat against his will Hon. A. A.
Denny was chosen president by viva voca
vote, and II. Willis Carr was chosen secre-
tary In the same way. W. H. White. ]. J.
McGilvra and A. p. Burwell were ap-
pointed q committee to prepare bylaws
ami report to the next meeting.
By way of suggestion to the committee
and with view of ascertaining the will OF
the meeting Mr.. White proposed COM
mittee on revision Of the city charter. one
on expenditure Of public moneys and one
on legislation in city affairs. Herman
Chaplin proposed committees On each de-
partment OF the board of public works and
+. Q. Graves proposed committees on the
departments of the city government, such
as police. fire. etc. None OF these sugges-
tons were opposed, although no action
was taken upon them. 1t was decided
that regular meetings of the league should
be held on the evening Of the third Satur-
day in each month.
Mr.. Graves offered the following pre-
amb!e and resolution, which were unani-
mously adopted:
"WHKREAs, The officers to whom is in
property should be trained and capable
men, free from political bias or influences,
and,
"WuEREAs, Such men cannot be secured
and retained under the system OF appoint
mentsfor political and personal reasons
now prevailing; therefore. be it
"Resoiret, BY the Citizens Municipal
League of the city of Seattle. That We heart
lily favor and recommend to our munich
pal authorities the adoption Of an impair
tial and non-partisan system Of appoint
ment and promotion in the police and fire
departments Of our city. whereby the POI
liccmen and iiFemen may be selected ana
advanced sole!y.on account of their merit
and fitness, and retained in service 80
long as they discharge their duties hon.
estly and efficiently"
J. J. McGilvra suggested that inasmuch
as the constitution provided for no treasu-
rer. each one leave 81 with the secretary TO
deiray expenses. aud before leaving the
hail some of those present accepted the in
vitation.
The constitution was signed before and
during the meeting by forty six men. who
are considered charter members.