The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-12-25
no LIBRARY BOA
The Charter Commission \
to Do Away With It.
SALARIES OF CITY oFFlC|
Antf-Saloon League Asks for 81
Closfng-The CornptrolIer's Cd
to Be Elective.

by city officials. making the comptI
Office elective, and bin fixing the =
OF city officials were the most imp
subjects taken up BY the charter CO
sion yesterday.
The resolution providing for the
ton OF the library commission was
mended by the committee favorahly
when IL came 70 a vote the repor
adopted, 10 to ALLEN, Andrews, De
Feawiek. Hamlin, Joslin, Koehler. n
ton, Stein and Winsor supporting i
Crane, Denny, Preston and Trempd
posing. II was then referred TO the
lative committee 10 bring in a
amendment 10 the charter.
The Library Com mission.
There was a lively discussion OF thl
jact, and Librarian Smith was prese
explain the workings or the library
was asked a great many questions b
Commissioners, the principal idea OF
opposed TO the commission seeming
that as good results could be obtaind
having a responsible librarian. actinG>
der council committee, as having u
brary controlled by commission. L
Ran Smith believed that the commi
ought TO be retained; It was matte
too much Importance and responsil
ike nature with the public schools. and
qualifications necessary for the proper
troll Of it were 50 various, and sue
knowledge Of literature and executive
fty were necessary that he doubted
council committee. which would chi
with every new administration, and m
OF the time of which was SO taken up
other affairs, could give efficient ADM
trat!on He was asked as to how his
sistants were appointed, and replied
they were appointed directly by the
mission. His own appointment was
month 10 month. at the discretion Of
commission. He thought the assist
should be appointed under civil sc
regulation He was asked as to the
ers and duties OF the library commits
and said he had never heard of a p4
library that was not governed by a
mission The monthly expenses OF IN
brary were about $500. OF which rent.
was the principal item. The library /
supported by one-tenth OF the fines
licenses collected by the city, and fe4
10 cents a month from every person !
took books from the library. The quest
as to the morality Of supporting suchj
institution by fines on vice came up,
sIr. Smith said the growth Of the lihrj
vice. Andrews thought that was rigl]
to fight vice by educating people with
fines OF vice Smith said that was
right, but as education increased Z
would decrease, and the iihrary's inc1
would stop altogether.
Crane thought the commission might
acting a little hastily in abolishing the
brary commission. So far as he knew.
PRINCIPAL objection to the present e
mission was its control over the appoJ
ment OF the clerks, and the charges
favor!tism which had been frequesV
made. He feared the commission mi
he taking a step backward, instead OF |
ward.
Against n Commission. |
winsor thought the action of the libr
commission in paying 500 a month
should condemn IL for lack of business
ity. He was satisfied that the sentimenv
the people was TO have all municipal an !
centered in one central government.
could not believe the city would ever Fl
a council that would not be able 70 furrj
enough good men 10 form a committed
manage the library. Every dollar OF
money expended for the library should
placed in the city treasury and paid ouJ
other city money Is paid out. Joslin thoud
the object of the first charter builders u
to get these affairs out Of politics.
agreed with wfnsor that It seemed absd
that IL should require five commission
to control one little department, and
lieved. too, that the city government shol
be centralized. Diffused power was wet
en!ng. but stiil IL was better to have
commission than TO have the library 81
feet TO politics. II civil service should !
= sf,fv 60
board as Il is.
Would limit It's Powers.
Chairman Preston was opposed TO
resolution. He thought the commiss
was needed for certain purposes. but
law should be amended so that the CO
mission could only recommend 20 the cor
ell the expenditures made. He thous
the commission should also be compo'
OF only three members. If civil serv
were adontei, tire commission would ]
have control over the appointment
clerks and that objection would be d.
away with. In the proper selection OF boo
for the library much knowledge was
duired. and that could not be had fr
council committees. which would be bl
with other matters. The buying OF boz
should be left 10 men with ability IN q
line.
Andrews could see only one reason "
the library commission should be say
and that would be for the purpose Of I
vising concerning the purchase OF hoo
The fallacv OF having 4 commission OF Il
he thought. was dissipated by LibrRr
Smiths statement that the selection
books was left 10 a committee or q
What difference did IL make whether
was two members or one7 The reCo
mendation Of a competent librarian VOL
serve the same purpose The governmt
OF the library should be in the hands OF
mayor and council. II was impossible I
der a republican form OF government
keep public affairs entirely divorced fru
politics.
To Regulate Liquor Traffic.
A committee Of the snti-saloon Ieae-
composed OF u. T. Denny. Everett SIN
and George F. Cotterill. appeared before
commission. with Rev. w. II. G. Tenn
As spokesman. with suggestions as to WI
tire temperance people would like 70 Ia
Incorporated in the charter in relation
the regulating and licensing Of saloons.
The main provision they ask FOR IS y
saloons shall be closed on sundays and
tween the hours q II p. II. and a.
Another provision IS that no license 81
be granted for a period continuing me
than thirty days beyond the expiration
the official term OF those members OF {
city council granting such license IN
having the shortest time 20 serve.
Rev. Mr. Temple said he supposed that
the members OF the league were quests on
individually, they would annihilate ratf
than regulate the liquor traffic. But IN
came before the commission only askl
for those things which could be done d
der existing laws ana circumstances .
the peace, honor and sobriety OF the CT
After the commissioners had asked
Tsmpls questions IS 70 his views OF
censinx saloons. etc. The matter went o.
FOR discussion al the next meeting.
\ New salary schedule.
Andrews presented bill regulating a
fixing the salaries OF city officials, whi
Was referred. The bill provides for the z
lowing schedule;
Mayor. s. 800: member Of council. g.
ro-~o~asfnn counsel 81 $50. q xtant @