The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-03-07
THE VOTE CANVASSED
Except That on Charter, Which
Is Postponed a Week.
JORDON. SMILING, ON DECK.
The Question as to When the Charter
Goes Into Effect Brings on
a Discussion.
JoRDoN. SMILING. ON DECK.

The city council met In Joint convention
last night to canvass the election returns,
and after declaring the election of the ON
GERS an adjournment was taken until next
Friday night. on motion of James, TO cam
vass the returns on the charter and de-
clare Ii in effect.
The motion caused much discussion, Jor-
dan and Crichton being in favor of can
wasting the vote on the entire election.
while LoveJoy. Sweeney and James gave
cogent reasons why the canvass on the
charter should be delayed one week. The
argument for holding the new charter over
was based on the fact that action by the
council would bring IL into effect imme-
diately, thereby giving the present mayor
power to appoint officers 10 iii vacancies
made by the new charter. a course which
would probably cause conflict and much
unnecessary trouble. By holding IL over
they claimed such confusion would be
avoided and the new charter would so into
effect at the same time the officers take
their seats.
Crtchton was opposed because the pres
ent charter says the city council shall
meet within three days and canvass the
election returns. and he thought their can
vassing only part OF the election might
render their action invalid.
Jordan seized the opportunity and made
several speeches to the four outsiders oc-
cupying the lobby. He said he could not
see why any part should be laid over I'M
less for the furtherance of some scheme
that would be frustrated by the new char
ter. He refused 10 comprehend or speak
upon the manifest difficulties that would
be opened by the charter going into effect
before the new officers took their seats.
Voigt made a telling point during the
meeting in response to Jordan's assertion
that the people would not favor delay on
the part of the council. 1.-THE people" he
exclaimed. gave overwhelming evidence
OF their confidence in the present admins
tration at the polls last Tuesday. We need
not fear what the people will say. They
have seen enough in the proceedings Of
the council in the past 20 know that every
thing IL does is for the best interests OF
Seattle"
The opinion Of Corporation Counsel Scott
on the legal aspects OF the question was
favorable to delay. when the question
was put all declared In the affirmative
save Crichton and Jordan.
The canvassing OF the election returns
was done by a subcommittee OF the whole,
composed OF Ristier. yoigt. Jordan and
Chairman Sweeney. The roll was checked
by Jordan. while the figures on the poll
books were read by Kistler. The roll was
found correct and report made recon-
rnending its adoption and the issuing OF
certificates 10 those elected.
While checking the vote In the various
precincts Jordan appeared In an extremely
good hurnor and made laughing comments
on the figures and the interests they had
represented.
After the convention had declared a re-
cess he was surrounded by a knot % coun-
cilmen. Leanaer Miller accused him Of
insincerity. because had he, Jordan, been