The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-01-03
no NEW QUESTIONS.
Not Much Done by Charter
Commission Yesterday.
THE QUOTA SYSTEM POSTPONED
Discussions Are Shortened by the Lack
OF Time-City Ownership of
Railways.

The question Of proportionate represen-
tation was brought Up in the charter COM
mission yesterday, but the majority OF
those present did not feel sufficiently clear
on the proposition 10 enter into a decisive
discussion and II was made special order
for Monday. Chairman Preston read the
report OF the committee On powers con-
corning the quota system IN eiecting the
members Of the city council, which stated
that after such consideration and research
as the limited time would allow the legal
fty of inserting the provision in the new
charter was felt 10 be a matter of grave
doubt. Decisions were cited from the
courts OF New York. Ohio and Michigan in
support OF that view.
a communication from J. J. Mcssilvra on
the same subject was read and filed. He
was in favor OF the system and gave the
following reasons IN support:
with such representation IL would be
impossible 10 have strictly partisan atty
legislature. II partisan tickets are put in
the field, the representation VIII be In pro-
portion 10 the party strength, and II no
partisan tickets are put In the field, then
the representation viii be entirely nom
partisan"
He did not have the least idea that the
Incorporation Of this provision might en-
danger the charter.
Time Getting Short.
When the subject was up for discussion
Bausman moved that ii be made special
order for Monday. Tremper objected. say
ing the question had been hanging fire"
for almost week, and the short time be-
fore them should not be wasted. since on
that question the composition OF the city
council depended. Winsor, Joslin and An
drews expressed themselves as favoring
the postponement Of the discussion until
Monday, and on the vote Tremper with
drew his objection and it was unanimous
ly carried.
The New Officers.
The question as to how the new Offices
created by the new charter could be filled
at the next general election was brought
UP by the reading OF the majority ana min
GRITTY reports on that question presented
By the committee on powers. 4 co1stitu-
tional difficulty presented itself in opposi-
ton TO the calling of a special election, a
which the new charter could be submitted
to the people, and another thing against
the plan IS the lack Of time.
Andrews thought the commission had
no power over the authorities who have
the power to call a special election and
moved that Ii endeavor to conclude the
work before January 20. The power of the
mayor to appoint the officers created by
the new charter was not relished by the
commissioners, though they could not see
finally laid on the table and will come up
for discussion today.
street Railways.
The majority report by Preston, Joslin
and Allen. of the committee. on the bill
introduced by Andrews providing for the
construction. condemnation, purchase.
ownership and operation by the city OF
cable roads, was read by Preston. 1t was
against the bin on the ground that it is
not good from business standpoint, as
the city is already too deeply In debt and
it was thought wise to restrict the powers
of Seattle's Legislative body TO incur debt.
Andrews. who made the minority report,
was in favor Of city ownership of street
railways. His report spoke of the success
that has attended the city's ownership OF
its water supply. and recommended that
the city lighting be taken under municipal
control. It gave the present expense OF
lighting in Seattle. and compared the cost
in Chehalis. which owns its own light
plant. What experience has demon
strated OF light and water can be demon
strated Of railways" he said, for they
are all three public necessities. If the city
must be at the expense Of supervising
these railways, why should Il not own
them?" He referred to the city's willing
ness TO incur debt when the Cedar river
water question was voted on and said that
when the Cedar river plant was put in the
city would be In a position to furnish pow
er for the railways. lie thought the roads
could be made to pay II conducted on prop
er principles.
IN the discussion Of the report Winsor
spoke against the adoption OF the recon-
mendation Of the majority. saying ne con-
sidered the people favorable to municipal
ownership at is not an impossible
thing" he said. THAT some OF the roads
here may desire 70 turn their roads over
TO the city. when Il can furnish power
from the surplus Of the Cedar river plant,
and will take their money out OF the reve-
nues Of working the line. I don't think
the city Is in condition TO take the rail-
ways today. but IL viii he soon"
Joslln thought 1t futile TO attempt TO
give any further power than the lesisla-
lure has conferred on the city and recon-
mended that the bill he referred 10 the
committee on powers. This was done. to-
Fether with the following amendment by
Crane: This provision TO go into effect
whenever the city shall he I'm position. by
the completion OF the Cedar river water
ssppiy. 10 have at it's command the power
10 operate said roads"
For n Roller Inspector.
Niddleton's bill creating the Office Of
boiler Inspector was reported back and
will have its third reading today.
The commission adjourned until today
at / o'clock.