The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-12-31

representation, IL understood hv the 1eo-
pie. would Re adopted hy them. He s.1g-
gested That the matter 20 over TIL today.
50 mat ths members can investigate as 10
WhetaeF me adoption Of the provision
Would CONNECT with the general laws
The entire matter was finally referred
20 the committee On powers.
The Public library.
The committee on the library dsrartuaent
made report, which was adopted. in the
form Of bill covering a plan FOR the man
sgement and support OF the library. as
follows:
\ library fund is established which shah
consist Of such gifts as nay be presented
70 the city FOR the uses os the library: o.
10 per cent OF the gross receipts Of the
city from all fines, penalties ard licenses;
OF the rents and profits that may he de-
rived BY the city from any property owned
by the library, ard of any appropriation
that the city council may make from time
70 time, including such annual tax levy
as may be provided BY the council, rot ex-
ceeolng one mill on the dollar Of the as
sessed valuation OF the city's taxable prop
erty.
II shall be the duty OF the mayor. with
the consent OF the rouncil TO aprolnt
librarian. whose term OF Office snail be
fer four years, unless sooner removed, and
who shall hold Office until his successor
shah also, with the consent of the coun-
ell. appoint a library committee OF Eve,
who snail hold Office until their success
sors are appointed ana qualified. and who
shall receive no compensation for their
work, either direct or indirect. Under
the control OF the council, the librarian
shall have the control and mana cement
OF the library, and under such civil ser
vice rules as may be adopted the libra
rian shall have the appointment and re-
moval OF such employees as may be neces-
sary.
The library committee shall have the
right to visit the library, and II shall be
its duty to make such recommendation 10
the mayor and council as IL may think
proper concerning the management of the
library and the purchase Of books.
City Ownership of Railways.
The committee on legislation reported,
by Andrews, that il was unable TO agree
on the proposition for municipal owner
ship OF street railways, and the regulation
OF fares on railways not owned by the
city, but majority report, signed by JOS
lin, Preston and Allen, adverse 10 the
plan. was presented. The reasons given
were that the city is in no condition.
financially, at present. TO purchase rail-
roads; that IL would be most unwise from
business standpoint for the city 1T this
time or for years, to undertake 10 ac-
qUIfe the ownership or the street rail-
roads within IL, insomuch as the city IS
already oyerburdened with debt. If it
should occur that the city would be able
10 own these railroads, ample time Will
remain for the amendment of the charter
so as TO empower the council TO make the
necessary purchases. The report also
says that when that time comes, K viii
be wiser and fairer. insomuch as there is
a division OF opinion among the people
as 10 the propriety OF such action; that
the people be permitted 10 vote upon the
question, as a single question. BY sim
gle amendment at the time.
II is said that some existing franchises
Of the street railway companies eontain
such provisio-s. that as soon as the prop
critics become notwithstanding tho city
begins 10 receive from the companies a
certain percentage of their gross receipts.
which. the committee believes, viii return
to the city greater revenues than the city
could earn by its own operation Of the
street railway lines.
Andrews, who introduced the resolution.
said he could not agree with the majority.
and would present later a minority re-
4 port.