The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-02-11
THE NEW DIOGENES.
Citizens League Will Continue
to Seek an Honest Man.
WILL ORGANIZE PERMANENTLY.
Convsntson 81 the Truly Coed Delays
Wicked Ola Parties.

About 20 very respectable gentlemen
composing the Municipal League Of the
City Of Seattle, with the addition of q few
carefuiIy selected outsiders. assembled ~
the Chamber OF Commerce rooms last even
ing aud argued for the greater part OF three
hours whethey they should nominate can
didates for city Offices or hold their bre
and indorse some Of those nominated by
the two old parties. The citizens were run
through rather fine sieve before being sd-
snitted. b. w. Baker and l. ]. Cosnan
manipulating IL. and IL was only alter
some parleying that three members Of the
Western Central Labor Union we're al
lowed 10 slip through without sign
ing the roll. While IL was called
. eit.ssns' meeting. there Was a
marked absence of the largest
class Of citizens. those who labor
with their hands, and bankers. lawyers.
doctors, merchants aad real estate men
were in an enormous majority. 1t was an
efninently respectable gathering. Ii was
decided TO form permanent organization.
but the seven wise men confessed that all
their labors had not resulted in bringing
IRliH - 6EAEkf anu kklr 1eD4<r va bt4t CFtAt~
Ing turned on the question of making Inc
mediate nominations. giving the seven
further time or postponlng the whole
matter until after the conventions of tho
two old aud desperately wicked parties.
The seven were finally given another week
70 find men sufficiently able and pure 10
serve the people and clean out the Demo
cratic Augean stables.
The buzz of conversation Was hushcd
when A. A Denny called for order. He
said the committee had met every day
and every evening. but had been unable
20 npiete q ticket, and asked further
time till next Saturday evening A mo-
tion TO grant this time was made and Mr..
Denny was declaring il carried when A. J..
Bnrweli objected 90 Delay. saying that
after the party conventions had made
their nominations they would be so late in
the field that il would practically be use
less to nominate.
Calls for A. f. Burleigh followed. but
brought no answer from that gentleman.
Hr. Denny said the committee had used
Its best endeavors TO reach conclusion.
A they progressed 1t might be disclosed
that Its time was not lost. Rees r. Daniels
vided for nominations by the different
wards, the convention might proceed
30 complete the ticket, and moved
doubted whether wise nominations could
be made that evening and urged post
ponement. He suggested that she meet
ing separate and form into ward orgapisa-
tions, and that they have central league
or committee of 100 composed of repre-
scntatives from the different wards. Mr..
Daniels motion then carried. the chair
suggesting the possibility of reconsidera-
ton.
z. o. Graves then moved the following
resolutions:
.'WHEREaf, Tho present charter OF the
city OF Seattle has been proved by four
years OF trial TO be cumbrous. inefficient
and expensive; and,
"WHrsEss, The said charter contains
many provisions which are not in accord
with modern ideas Of proper municipal
administration and which have been dis
eardcn BY the most progressive cities: and.
WHEREAS. Experience teaches that the
eonierring Of executive authority upon
boards and commissions destroys respons-
ibiiity and tends directly to extravagance
and inetficiency, and that economy. eff.
cheney and responsibility in municipal
Affairs can best be secured by lodging full
executive authority in the hands OF the
mayor; and,
"WHEgrAs, A legislative BODY eons,sting
OF two branches 10 an unnecessary and
ton; therefore, be IL
"Resoiped. That this organization be de-
ctarcd permanent under the name of the
Municipal League OF the City of Seattle.
snd that We hereby declare ourselves in
favor OF radical revision of the city char
YER Win view 10 reduction in the num-
Der oil officials and clerks, the abolition of
needless boards and commissions. the con.
eehtration OF leg slatiyo powers IN a single
chamoer ana. IN general, the erection OF n
more simple, direct. economical and re-
sponsibie form OF government, and be IL
further
Resoieed. That We hereby pledge our
most earnest efforts. INDEPENDENTLY and
eoiectiveiy, toward securing these reforms
VEN Der. 1881:
''hesefeed. That TO accomplish the fore.
going purposes a committee OF three shall
be appointed py the chairman To prenar. a
constitution and bylaws, To be reported
and acted upon at further meeting OF
this body. !"
Mr.. Graves said that ths committee
found itself OF one accord in regard To the
cnmhrous provisions OF the charter. and II
they wished 10 get efficient government
they must discard this obnoxious doom.
ment
In reply To Douglas Young, W. II.
White explained that il was proposed 10
make the organization permanent, and
that the committee of three was TO report
a, subsequent meeting. After election
their WORK would no, be ended. but the
league should meet at least monthly. IL
should discuss the legislation aud should
exercise influence over the administration.
There were such organizations in Portland
aud San Francisco composed Of citizens of
both parties.
Mr.. Daniels opposed permanent organ.
kation. sayiug that when they nut a
ticket In the field they would become as
much party as the Democrats. Repab-
ltcans or fopnlisss, and, If they continued
the organization beyond the election, they
would appear IS seeking the Offices aud
the offices only.
John III. Elder, who admitted that "a a
Democrat he voted for the present CITY
officers, said that they did want the offices
in order thas they might give the city
sueh government that outsiders would
come here and make investments, but Mr..
Daniels insisted that he had been invited
20 join the organization for the simple par-
pose Of taking part ia this election. nr.
A. peNoe favored permanent organization
aud George ii. Ming pointsdly asked If
they did not want the Offices. What were
they there Ger. lie advocated permanent
organization 20 keep constant watch on
the city government. Cries Of Question