The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-02-24

The Law business OF the city Of Seattle
has increased very much during the past
few years. and its administration calls for
the employment Of attorneys who have
maize such litigation an especial study.
The adoption Of the new charfsr rendered
Il advisable TO submit many undecided
questions TO the arbitrament OF the sI-
prems court and the more important
points have now been practically deter
mizcd. Stiil. questions involving the inter
ests Of the city are constantly arising and
particular skill is needed In presenting
them. Ia most cases. the city as a NUM-
cipai body Is the party opposed 10 itself
In the relation OF taxpayers: there Is need.
therefore. 60 insure that while the city as
an aggregate wins In its contention. no I'M
necessary costs or hardships be inflicted
upon It's constituent citizens.
Some idea % the amount Of work fall
ing upon the law department may be gath
cred from the latest report Of Corporation
Counsel Scott. Fifty important suits have
been disposed of since March -. 1884. and
there are now pending sixty-seven cases
in which the city Is either party plant
III or defendant. not including actions
brought by the city TO foreciose local I'm
provenent assessments. During the pres
ent administration the law department
has prepared at least 200 ordinances for
presentation To the council. and while many
OF them were of minor Importance 10 the
ordinary business of the municipality. yet
a large number were of sufficient import
ance 10 require great care In their prepar-
alton.
In addition to these general matters.
several important questions have been sub
United by the law department 10 the SUI
preme court relating TO the iong-pending
troubles over delinquent street assess
ments. Concerning these the corporation
counsel reports:
There have in times past been many as
sessments declared invalid by the courts.
even where the improvements have been
made and the proper ty benefited thervoy. by
reason OF some irregularity. and In many
instances for lack OF some Jurisaictional
step. and the warrants issued against the
paid because the city was unable TO en-
force collection on the original assess
rnrnts For this reason. notwithstanding
the fact that the city was not primarily
liable. its credit has been seriously injured
ia consequence thereof. To remedy this
an act was passed By the legislature in
1895. providing for reassessments in all such
cases. and the supreme court has recent
Iy. IN the case OF Fredericks against the
city. held such act valid In all respects.
The Importance OF this decision cannot
be too highly appreciated as II enables the
city 10 save It's credit and ths warrant
holders 70 set their money. The supreme
court has also held that the reassessment
made under the charter provision iE valid.
SO that the way is clear to reassess In all
eases within the purview OF the statute
or the city charter"
II win be seen. therefore. that in quiet
and transformations way. the Republican
officials selected by the people at the last
election. have been faithfully attending
60 the eity's best interests.
The error or failing. however slight. OF
an official Is usually made much Of. but he
rarely reeeivs adequate credit for the
good he does. A community which ex-
poets 10 have. and has right to expect.
faithful service. can secure this best by
slectiag men 30 office who are reasonably
sure % performing their duty and by &C
kaowledgsng with appreciation the success
OF their laSorS at the close OF their term.
The election Of John X. Brown VIII IN
sure a continuance OF the fidelity and con-
sclentious care which have eonsplcuously
marked the present administration.