The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-10-22
SEATTLE. TUESDAY. OCT. &c.
AMENDING THE CHARTER.

The timo is probably approaching when
interest In the subject of revising the
charter will revive. The constitutional
question has been submitted 10 the SUI
preme court. and the decision Will no
doubt be rendered before long.
Now that the excitement which ended
in demand for an entirely new charter
has died out II may be well 10 calmly con-
slider 10 what extent revision would be
desirable. That there will be a difference
of opinion on this point has already been
made manifest by the speeches and let
ters on the subject. but there are some
features which viii probably by general
consent be retained.
There are now twenty-one articles OF
the charter in operation. but as five OF
them relate TO general rights and liabili-
ties and 20 boundaries. amendments. tide
land streets. etc. which are merely for
NAL. there are sixteen 20 be considered
in any scheme OF amendment. They are
es follows:
Legislative department.
Executive department.
Clerical department
Department OF police.
Department OF public works.
Department OF finance
Department OF sanitation.
Fire department.
Harbor department.
Library department
Law department.
Salaries and bonds.
Elections.
Officers. terms and vacancies
Miscellaneous.
Hours OF labor.
As the last named. establishing eight
hours as constituting a days work Il is
not likely 70 he changed. the number CT
articles Is reduced - fifteen.
The most important thing % hs borne
ia mind Is the deslrahnlty Of making sug-
sested changes harmonize with pna,tered
provisions OF tho charter especially in Their
applicability 10 the machinery 70 be pro
Nded or existing. a brief synopsis Of some
OF the principal features OF the charter
and OF suggested changes may not be out
OF place.
Tho legislative department, consists Of
two houses or nine members each. one
megnhcr in each house for each ward. They
receive salary = So a month each. The
principal questions in connection with this
department ara whether there should be
ore or two houses. and how many repre-
seRtat.vcs each ward should have
The executive department consists 81 the
mayor. ana Che main question is whether
he shall have absolute authority and hear
direct responsibility 20 the people or b.
controlled by boards ot commissioner.
also whether he SHAH preside over thu
council 4 there is 20 BE- only ore house.
To this Delegate Vo.gt has added the sur-
ges,ioa that vice mayor ~ electe8. 50
that IN case OF death or disability the PEG
pie would know UPON whom tire duties
would devolva
Tho clerical department consists os tAs
city clerk. who Is elected. ana one or more
Deputies. No change IN this has been rub
ne!y suggested.
The department ~ police consists - four
commissioners appointed by ths mayor for
four years. one going ou' zach year. ana
10 moro than two being q the same party
politics. Tho uiayor 3 the chairman ex
oficio. Tas abolition or change % this
commission Is the main question. There is
no salary attached 20 the ofsce
The department Of public works consists
Of superintendent o. water system. supsr-
intenaent OF streets ard superintendent Of
buildings They are appointed fer thrce
years, one going o0t each year. ana orlg
two can be Of the same politics. Salaries
are regulated by ordinance.
The sanitation department consists 90
three physicians, appointed ore each year
fer three years. only two OF the same 20
lgloal faith and with no salary.
The fire department. is made up of foUr
commissioners. two CT whom are elected
every two wears: the mayor IS ex of1clo
chairman. there Is no salary. y las heea
suggested 70 abolish this board ana hold
the mayer responsible fer the selection 81