Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1895-04-05

The Judiciary committee reported
an ordinance providing for new assess
ments for costs of local improvements,
which passed.
A petition for opening Eighth street
through Massey's addition was re-
ferred to the Street committee.
An application of q. Noschka for q
liquor license; of Godfelt & Bennett
for transfer of their license to room
in the Granger building, and b. Nc
Dermott for transfer from the Opera
Exchange to 800 Main street, were re-
ferred to the committee on Licenses
and Sewerage.
A proposition of A. Cole for keeping
the grass on the plaza cut for $25 per
quarter was laid on the table.
An ordinance restricting the limits
for prohibition of bicycle riding on
sidewalks, was referred to the Health
committee.
An ordinance for a new assessment
of costs in grading certain streets was
introduced by Mr.. Schoiield and re-
ferred to the Judiciary committee.
Report of the City Treasurer sub.
mitted elbows. cash balance of ST.
Sl6.S3, which he was authorized to
expend in payment of warrants.
On motion Of Mr.. Lane, the sum OF
$685. WAS ordered transferred from the
General to the Expense fund.
Mr.. Lane moved that the use OF gas
in the city hall be discontinued after
the middle OF this month. Mr.. Byrne
moved to amend by instructing the
committee ON Light to ascertain
whether or not the meter was record
ing a correct measure of the gas used
by the city. The amendment carried.
Mr.. Schotield moved that Policeman
Oleman be retained permanently on
the police force, the time for which he
had been hired having expired. Lane
moved as an amendment, that he be
retained by the month, subject to fu-
ture action of the Council. Amend.
ment carried.
The Treasurer was instructed to
make dilligent effort to collect de.
linquent taxes, and on motion of Mr..
Byrne he was authorized to receive
warrants which had been issued for
service on the fund for which collec.
ton was made.
The clerk was instructed to notify
property owners on the Westside fill
who were to have paid the costs by
April LIST, that the day OF settlement
had come.
Phillip Hiltz made a statement re-
garding suit OF the city against him
for $l02 special tax for grading WASH
ington street. He stated that $500
yards of earth had been taken out of
the street to improve adjacent property
and that afterward that much more
had to be hauled in from elsewhere,
which increased the cost of the work
to much larger figure than it would
have amounted to had not the earth
from the street been appropriated by
private parties.
Mr.. Phillips, who was also present,
stated that the majority of the prop
erty owners in that assessment dis
trict were going to contest the city's
right to collect the tax, but that he
wanted to pay his in full if he could
be given a guarantee that he would
not have to pay again for the same
work i'll general tax in case the
other property owners could not be
made to pay their assessment.
City Attorney Falknor stated that
by the ruling of Judge Irwin in the
case Of Thomas vs. the city, general
tax could not be levied to pay special
street assessments. The case, how
ever, is now in the Supreme Court,
and they will give the matter a final
decision. If they affirm Judge Twins
decision, property owners will be
perfectly safe in paying up their spec.
ial assessments, for they could by nc
means he made to pay twice for the
same work. Should the Supreme
Court hold that the taxes are uucol-
lectable because illegal, the superior
Court will by mandamus compel the
city to reassess the property which
must pay the tax, and the man who
has paid the first assessment can never
be made to pay again for the same
work.
Mr.. Lane said the city should main
tain its honesty and integrity and take
all necessary measures to preserve it!
credit.
Mr.. Byrne declared that in som,
instances honesty and integrity hst
not entered into the improvement
made by the city, and that in many
cases the benefit from the Improve
ments" was by no means commeasur
ate with their cost. He believed tina
, these citizens had right to protec
themselves in the courts. As Coun
Gilman, however, he was required t
make an effort for collection of thes,
taxes. Those against whom suit
we're brought were selected by lot
The names of five of the largest prop
erty owners in each district had beer