The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-10-26
FOR RIGHT OF WAY.
Comfy commissioners Order a
Levy for North Canal.
NO LEGAL OBSTACLES HINDER.
senator Squire Urges Prompt Action in
Order TO Secure a New Appro-
priarion by Congress.


and influential signatures and to addresses
by leading citizens. and in accordance
with the opinion that there were no legal
obstacles IN the way, the board passed
resolutions 10 condemn the rigAI-of-way
and to levy tax OF half a mill TO pay
for it under the law passed by the last
legislature.
The Offices OF the board were crowded
with interested citizens when the session
opened. and they watched the proceedings
with great interest. applauding every
point made By the speakers in favor OF
the action that was subsequently, taken
by the commissioners, all of whom were
present.
Hon. r. s. Greene appeared as chairman
OF the canal committee elected TO repre-
sent the city of Seattle, the city of Ballard
and the Chamber of Commerce. and Hon.
Thomas Burke as the chairman OF the
subcommittee on law and legislation, OF
which Mr.. Greene is also a member.
The Legal Aspects of the Case.
Hon. Thomas Burke very briefly opened
the proceedings, pointing out the neces-
sity for immediate action. and then gave
way for MIR. Greene to make lengthy ar
gument on the legal aspects OF the subject.
The latter reviewed the section of the act
of February L. 1895. relating TO public
works and authorizing the board of coun-
for the condemnation and disposition OF
lands for public purposes. In aid of the
exercise of such power, whenever there
was proposed by the government OF the
United States or the governor OF this state
any public work. the commissioners were
empowered TO levy taxes 10 the extent OF
] mill per annum on all taxable property
in the county and TO issue bonds therefor
as in the case Of any other county debt.
Ia cd azfhNrtfiag showed
that this present enterprise OF the govern
ment canal presented a case calling Tor
the exercise of the powers given under the
first and second sections Of the act.
He then showed that it was competent
for the board TO pass upon the case at this
October session. liz being an unadiourned
session and the same at which the levs,ing
of taxes for general purposes is by law
10 he made. In great detail he showed
that the commissioners would he acting
entirely within the scope of their powers
both as regards the constitution and the
statutes If they proceeded TO make a levy.
and then he presented. in order 10 faciii-
tate the action of the board, the following
resolutions for its consideration:
Resolutions Ordering the Tax.
Resolved. That we.as the board of coun-
~ commissioners OF King county, wash
ington, Judge it to be clearly for the gem
eral welfare and benefit of the people Of
said county of King, for said county 10
condemn and appropriate and dispose OF
for public use under the provisions or the
act of the legislature of the state OF Wash
ington entitled An act TO grant 10 ana
prescribe powers of counties. relative 10
public works undertaken or proposed by
the state of Washington or the United
States and declaring an emergency. and
approved February Il, 1885. all such lands
properties rights and interests as shall be
necessary or lawful 10 condemn, appro-
pirate OF dispose OF In order TO enable this
county to secure to the United States Tree
of cost and to the satisfaction of the sec
rotary of war OF said United States the
entire right-of-way for the snip tanai
which the government OF the united
States is proposing and intending 10 con-
struct. with the necessary locks and ap-
planes in connection Herewith, connect
ing the waters of Puget Sound at Salmon
bay with Lakes Union and Washington,
and a release to said United states from
all liability to adjacent property owners,
and We as such board of county commits
sioners. and under the provisions or the
above entitled act hereby authorize the
prosecuting attorney Of this King county
under the direction and supervision OF the
board of county commissioners OF said
county TO take and prosecute all proper
legal proceeding for such condemnation,
appropriation and disposition. And II IS
further
Resolved That pursuant to the provis-
ions Of section OF the act mentioned IN
the foregoing resolution and In aid OF the
powers granted or prescribed in section
Of said act we as such board OF commits
sioners Of said King county, hereby de-
clare to he necessary and hereby levy for
the current fiscal year a tax Of one-half or
one mill on the dollar upon all the taXaple
property in said King county. such tax
10 be assessed levied and collected at the
same time and in the same manner as
taxes for general county purposes.
The first. Mr. Greene said was the pre-
Nrnfharv resolution, drawn by himself AMI
Mr. Burke, and could be changed II nee
essarv IN accordance with the act of con-
rress. BY this act the people must ac-
auire FOR the United States. free or all
cost the entire right-of-way of the ship
canal and Tor the necessary locks and Sp-
rlisnces. and release the United States
from all liability. The second part OF the
resolution was for taking the necessary
proceedings 20 levy the tax. and as 20 the
amount Mr. McGiivra would read brief
Mr. Greene then asked leave 10 file re-
titi0ns from the tax PAYERS. that Woulu
have been more voluminous. he said, ~
thore had been more time These petitions
had not been circulated or solicited. hut
we're the voluntary expressions or the
Pee ME Of King county on the suoiect. lie
knew thst there were more petitions out
r,if ,rose he handed in contained AZ : &
natures Of tie heaviest tax payers 10 the
county and 10 had no doubt the number
Of zigners would he swelled 10 many thou
sands.
one Of the property owners present then
handed in a petition signed by 10 resi-
dents % the White river valley.
Prompt Action Required.
Senator Squire then expressed his pleas
lffe in folning his fellow citizens in this
very necessary step n take. and said that
s1shou,b we we're heavily taxed now. he
was in favor Of this additional burden,
because he felt confident the money spent
in such an enterprise would come back
p-srrsre vvnora there was no other course
20 n1rsre after having sgitafed the cues
ton for six years ana the people seeming
~ he altogether unanimous on the sub
fect
lie then told of the labors Of the con-
a--easfonsl delega ton 20 obtain the appro-
rrIatfon already made. The right-of-way
for the canal must Be presented % The
government free from al liability, and It
Us very important that the proposed Ac-
ff-r7 should he taken az once for this Tea-
sor The river and harbor biil only came
l,1 I'm congress once every Two years. and
v-,tils 10 me Of the very first things he
FORE ths congressional session, beginning
On The first Monday in December The
hoard would scarcely have time. using its
utmost vigilance ard energy. 70 present
tre -faht-of-wav BY thar date. with otaer
rora5tions. mentioned IN The statutes. and
the chances o. another and he hoped much
larger appropriation would be limited