The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-04-01

Delegate Voigt Gives His Views as to
the Best Course to Pursue.

Seattle, WASH, MarCh 81, no.
To the Editor: The great interest taken
by our citizens in charter revision justi-
fes me In believing that you will not be-
gruge space for a few suggestions I
have been o4e Of the few that opposed
the adoption OF our present city charter
not alone on account OF its cumbersome
conditions and 100 greatly scattered re-
sponsicilities. but especially on account
OF the great opportunities IL offered for
inexperienced, incompetent or designing
parties 10 work themselves into power.
Whatever my criticism of this charter
has been. / never have for a moment
doubted the sincerity of the trainers 10
give us the best possible law under which
our city could be economically and eff
GENTLY governed. and IL this so much
abused city charter had been placed in
experienced and trained hands the result
would have been different. But as the
army of officials required to carry out the
provisions of this charter was by far too
numerous to fill all OF the positions well,
at an election, the result could not be
satisfactory.
Therefore. believe that. especially for
the reason TO enable us 10 have every
Office Well filled, we should have the most
simple law and the smallest number Of
officials possible, because the quality Of
the city officials viii be always the great
est factor In lnsuring satisfactory govern
ment. As regards the present hue and
cry for charter revision. and that the
same can only be accomplished by an
election OF freeholders, so far as IL is
based on the theory OF economy, II Is
uufounded in all and every respect.
The present city government has reiuc-
ed all expenses as far as is consistent
with efflciency-except a few offices
whose salaries are fixed by charter-and
It would have been able 10 do the same
L.. 80
had given more support TO the city coun-
ell in its efforts in that direction. The
tax levy for the ensuing year Is 12ia
mills: and a fraction is for interest
alone. 50 there remains about 6ia mills
for all purposes. which is about lilo OF a
mill more than we have 20 pay for the
maintenance OF our schools alone. out
side Of the interest on the school indebt-
edness. Besides this the water rates
have been reduced from 20 TO 10 per cent.
down 10 actual cost: so that tho holder
OF approved property had his taxes vir-
tually reduced 10 that amount.
The careful observer will. therefore,
have 70 admit that the present admins
tration has. SO far. honestly fulfilled its
pledges. Nobody Is more impressed with
the idea That our present charter can be
greatly improved 10y a thorough and care
; fB revision than the members or the
present city council and the most expert
eaeei amongst them are In favor OF radi-
cal changes. But as regards the rate
~ taxation. II cannot he brought much
lower than has already been done. Any
a1empt 10 bring It below mills for ell
purposes teNcept iatereSN, even at our
present valuation. will destroy the effici-
| ency % our city government. The great
est gain by A radical revision OF our city
! charter viii be a simpler form Of govern
mont n here duties are more defined and
I = gt,-aa al. Ia aIiE
| that the high-salaried officers would be
more useful and less ornamental than at
present The hostile attitude towards
| rhe city council taken by some ciriEens
/ who favor 4 new freehoiders' charter Tor
not s. once calling an election for that
| purpose Is not entitled 70 any cousla e-a-
ton The city council could not. without
trying - fnd out the sentiments Of the
majority % their constituents, neglect
rheir duty by allowing the amatrs Of the
| city government 20 be disSvTangei fer
/ she sake 90 gratifying me whtzns and
| catching the applause OF few. by
! calling an election voluntarily the city
council would assume che entire rcspon-
| sihility Of ar expense the city could IN
/ AFFORD and which the Cou0cu could no;
| consider necessary II the same end could
| he reached without nat expense II.
| however. the election H. called upon the
! sena nj 81 x per cent. az the legal vot-
! TFS- TIRE FeNshAf}NfNAi4fN rests etlfAf@tN.
| whatever the result may he. with the
I slKuers ~ such petition.
/ on the r.~~s@slta lion * \ petstloa signed
! by * per rent. Of the legal voters a. re-
/ qairesi ~ law ani sal law declared con-
| sEEutloasI ny she supreme court. 7 an
/ satisfied vhe city council viii show 10
/ 81 Opposition % detav the election urnec-
/ essarfly. al 3nsinuaronS and predictions
/ - tAe contrary norS Outstanding. They
/ Vern oaly marie - create pre3gsihre
1 asAlnst the cRv council sad IN order -
! Increase the folts~saE % certain parties.
| In conclusion / wisa - say that tesrn
| he f~as1sag % new charter nv free
| holders. a. thlS tine. unwtss. believing
that better results caa - eataiaei. ~
submitting desirable amendments al ere
| next general election. As regards pre-
! nos understand W-hy cl1fzens or oTEantza-
! ttou< wanting - Interest themselves tn
/ charter revision should evea wsit fcr ia
1 - work a. ouce ant formulate such
] aTeen-3uR IS are deemed necessary.
ana sghrafs ssseTa - ahe ctty cetE0ca. and
| = sc city councll refuses - accept yas
| SAsne ar pass similar e0eS. the1 secUre
sha = rer cent 0g leSal VOTERS unter me
/ TsT seeaium c3&ase taIresdy IN t1s char
/ terA, ara faree IRE elsy cou0ca - siStsnit
/ saa aaner<g H8eutz 70 rae voters a. ths
/ cens. 20 sues amendments wogld meet
attn ~ aifs5eulties. A. sase Intelligent vot-
se waa{A ~ on}y to rtsa - sian Shs
/ s4aaen imeAts Ss<tasmly wsEIt hseaxne a
LA