The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-01-07
Is AGAIN POSTPONED.
Charter Commission on Proper
tional Representation.
Safety From Corruption In Numbers,
but Perhaps Economy in
Smaller Body.

yesterday the question OF proportional
representation. which had been referred
TO the committee on powers, which had
reported that under our constitution a
systsm OF proportional representation
would not be legal. The matter as ad-
iourned for further consideration, and
yesterday BauSman made q lengthy speech
On the subject, in which he showed its
legal aspects in various lights. The rea-
son the system was not generally adopted,
he said, Was not because people did not
want il, but because there was an objec-
ton on constitutional grounds He held
that the charter commission was consti-
rEtional body, but If such proposition as
this or proportional repI esentation were
Incorporated IN the charter, and so ex-
pressed as 10 leave voters only the choice
OF the proportional system, he thought
IL might not be Illegal. but that IL voter
at an election were allowed 10 vote either
on the existing method o. on the proper
tional system. then it would be legal, as
lie would not be d. ri.sd OF a right, but
simply given an option TO give up some de-
gree CT his existing right. He quoted a
recent Illinois decision in which Il was
held unconstitutional 10 restrict voter
TO tho proportional system. but the court
rted that If the voter were given the
option of voting for il on the previous
system, IL would be legal. He thought the
matter deserved very careful considera-
ton; the best thinkers on the subject had
concluded that the system was productive
of much good. Elsewhere they run things
better than we did. Here il might hap
pen under the present system that 4 900 or
5,V0 voters rules over the 1000 opposed
TO them.
1remper moved, and Crane seconded
that the subject be tabled, the former
holding that at the present stage they
certainly could not take UP the subject OF
cumulative voting. His idea was that
IL would prove to be Illegal Crane thought
The work Of the commission, to be COM
pleted IN time for the next election, would
not permit them to give time TO this sub
icct.
Joslin thought there was great doubt
that the proposition would be declared I'M
constitutional. The commission was
constitutional body, and in many respects
independent Of judicial or legislative con-
troll. SIN. he thought II might not be
wise 10 incorporate the proposition in our
charter. IL was really astonishing how
a new proposition, having nothing against
II and everything in its favor, was always
opposed for no other reason than that
II was new. The time would come when
the constitution would be amended and
we would no longer be tyrannized over, as
at present. He would support the motion
in the hope OF making IL constitutional
amendment later on. 1t would stop many
frauds.
Bausman did not want the matter ia
bled. His intention was TO propose a bill
that would allow for the alternative sys-
TEN at the polls. Wlnsor moved as a sub
stitute that the optional cumulative sys-
TEN of voting be adopted, in order that
the subject might be discussed and dis
posed Of as early as possible.
Tremper thought proportional represen-
tation could stand on its own bottom. If
MT Bausman had a bin for cumulative
voting he could Introduce It and the COM
mission could vote on il the next day. He
contended that the conduct OF the city
council had not justified such extreme
measures. The council was composed OF
three parties, all having voice. and these
were Of as good men as could be obtained
under any other system
Defeat for It's Opponents.
The motion TO lay on the table was lost
by a vote OF TO 9, and Winsor moved
as a substitute that the Illinois system
of cumulative voting be adopted, so far
as it had reference to the election of the
city council. Although he did not like
this so well as the proportional system,
he thought ii well to discuss il, in view of
the fact that the latter sysem was held
TO be unconstitutional.
Makeup OF the Council.
Andrews said IL would be well first to
consider how the council should be made
up and the discussion then turned on the
three bills already introduced on the sub
tect. Joslin moved that IL should consist
OF one member from each ward and four
members at large, which was the propo-
sitlon contained in the De Wolfe bill.
Crane moved that two members from each
ward be elected for two years, which was
the Andrews proposition. De Wolfe was
against the complete abdication of the
city government every two years. and
thought there should be provision for
hold-over members. Joslin, in support OF
his motion, said a proportion OF the coHn-
Gil ought TO be citizens, and not ward cit
liens, and this would prevent the swap
ping OF political schemes between the
ward representatives. De Wolfe seconded
the JoSltn motion.
WinsOr said he should vote against a
council OF eighteen members. as he be-
Heved nine men could transact the city's
business, but IL might be a wise provision
OF the charter TO increase the number de-
cided upon as the population OF the city
increased. 1t did not strike him as i'm
portant that portion should he at large
and not from certain localities. as all men
were interested more or less in certain
localities. The purpose of the people was
10 reduce the expenses Of the city. Fen
wick also thought a council OF nine sutfi-
cient Stein had hoped that the proper
tionel system would be adopted, TO give
the supreme court the opportunity OF say
ing that IL was not based on the prece-
dents OF a hundred years ago, when sur
rounding circumstances were very differ
ent, and that therefore IL was Illegal.
Possibilities Of Corruption.
Bausman said that an increase in the
representation was often TO he looked
upon as a protection against the POSSIBLE
tiles OF corruption. and he was IN favor
OF "a large representation. Without con-
sidering the proposition Of corruption. the
greatest obstacle In the way OF scheming
corporations was the number Of men
they had 10 deal with. The greater num-
her did not mean, perhaps, better men.
but the greater number, the stronger
were the Influences against corruption:
the more men there were 20 influence or
10 buy, and the higher would be their
price He was IN favor Of the Andrews
bill because of its larger representation.
and OF the De Wolfe bin because all the
representatives under IL did not 90 out
a. the same tine. but held over, and could
initiate the newly elected into their du-
tias. In the state legislature a certain
number % representa- tives held over. and
the system was found 20 work well
Wlusor said you could buy a council OF
nine or nineteen, and his proposition was
that when 4 franchise was asked for. or
anv public rights 20 he voted on. the
proposition should go direct 20 the people,
and all the people could not he corrupted.
He believed 81 trusting the people.
Tacoma's Example.