The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-08-20
4 CLASH OF TONGUES
Occurs Over the Good Shep-
herds House Investigation.
WHITE DENIES COUNCILS POWER
REPRESENTATIVES of the Two Parties
Argue Hotly-Tax Certificates
of Is9s TO Re Sold.

The house OF delegates last evening was
the scene of a skirmish on the question OF
an investigation OF the House Of Good
Shepherd The matter came UP in the
form OF a petition. which mentioned aff1-
davis already published. charging trregu-
laritfes in that institution. stating that X
is not conducted in a proper manner. the
inmates are deprived of liberties accorded
them by law. and demanding an inyesti-
CATION The petitioners ask that IL be not
investigated by a special committee unless
IL be one member selected by either side
with third one by the council. The pc
tition is addressed 10 the mayor and COM
mon council and is signed by \. j. Adams
and several hundred others.
In support Of the petition DR.. A. NJ
Burns addressed the house. He said that
the community was Startled and HORNED
by the manner of conducting the House
OF the Good Shepherd. as made pu6lic by
afidavits. without affirming or denying
the charges he asked that the matter be
not dropped. After stating that no per-
scnal knowledge or enE1ity existed with
him. he continued that the unfortunate
creatures held there are compelled 10
work more than prisoners they are re-
stricted OF liberty, compelled 10 eat bad
food and punished physically. The belief
md sentiment of every good citizen was
that wayward girls should have place
OF ease and safety 70 expand the mind,
elevate the soul and be reformed. II the
charges are true. these girls are COM
PEELED to develop their muscles by constant
labor on bad food. when their minds shou
be improved. instead OF their being sent,
Ike horses. TO work.
". r. White said In reply that he ap-
peared In double capacity. He was
hired by the sisters and had an interest
as a citizen. In behalf Of his employers
and all law-abiding people. he protested
against the house receiving. countenanc-
Ing or entertaining for a moment such
petition except as the Law requires. II
persons were imprisoned without authori-
" Of law. as charged by the speaker and
the petition, such action should be pun
ishsd.
Or Burns-I used no such language.
Mr.. White-If the gentleman did not say
II the petition does. and | cannot see the
difference.
Continuing. Mr. White said that the
council had no authority to. investigate.
The petition simply asked the council TO
step beyond the constitution. OF course,
If true. the charges should be inyesti-
gated. proven and the guilty ones pun
ished This, the council could not do. 1t
cannot administer an oath, punish for
perjury compel attendance Of witnesses
nor punish If any one is found guilty.
These petitions ask the council to DELHI
erateiy break the law and the constitu-
ton. and when they ask ii, they them
selves violate the law. They are entitled
to no more respect than any other law
breakers II is the duty of the council TO
lcgislate by ordinance and not TO investi-
gate Such work falls to the legislature.
The speaker read from the city charter,
demonstrating that no such power exists
as is asked to be assumed. All citizens,
whether Catholic or Protestant, are en-
titled TO protection. case of this kind
should go to the grand jury, which can
be convened al once.
DR.. Burns. replying. said that he had
not the knowledge of the law Mr.. White
had and could not answer the argument,
but urged that the house do not sit idly
by when such grave charges were made
by persons sent there by order of legal
body
Mr.. white-Nobody has power to send
persons to the House Of the Good Shep-
herd.
Or. Burns-Who has?
Mr.. White-No one; any one who does IL
breaks the law, even if it be the chief Of
police.
John Bushell. for the petitioners. stated
that he had expected a hireling TO block
the investigation. The council has power
because It is the representative body of
the city. The result should be reached in
some way: If the corporation counsel con-
ours. the petitioners were willing TO go be-
fore the grand jury. The sisters had been
anxious for the investigation, but now
there is n change of front.
Mr.. white have no objection 10 the
matter being referred to the corporation
counsel. l want 10 say to Mr.. Bushell
that l am no hireling. ! am an Ameri-
can and Protestant When my ancestors
We're fighting for liberty his ancestors
were fighting to enslave mine. ! want no
Eugllshman TO come here to advise me
about rights of American citizens CAP
plausel.
The petition was finally referred to the
corporation counsel for instruction as to
the authority to ect.
The committee 70 investigate the petit
ton o. seVenty-seven business men on the
alleged nuisance of the smoke and dirt
from the Colman building furnace report
"a that the nuisance exists and is detr-
mental 10 health and business. The re-
port. which was adopted. placed the mat
ter IN the hands Of the board OF public
works for action.
The tide land committees report was
adopted.
petition by the Western Central La
Dor Union on request Of Referendum club
asking for removal OF free employment
Office 10 the quarters formerly occupied,
on South Third street, was referred.
All competitors have been compelled TO
give way 20 Or. Prices Baking Powder.