The Daily Republican. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 18??-189?, 1896-03-02
ARTICLE ".
The Legislative Department


The Legislative Department.
Section L All legislative power of the
CITY Of Seattle shall be vested in mayor
and city council
Sec. 2. Except as otherwise in this
charter provided, the city council shall con-
sist of one member from each ward of the
city ard four members elected from the
Sec. 3. Subdivision A. At the general
municipal election in the year 1898 and at
there shall be elected by the electors of each
ward CT the city one councilman who shall
hold office for q period of two years, and
by the electors of the city at large two
counc1Imen-at-large each of whom shall
hold office for a period of four years.
Subdivision 3. Until the election in the
year 1888, and the organization of the city
council thereupon in pursuance Of the pro-
visions Of Subdivision A of this Section.
the city council shall consist of thirteen
members and be composed as follows: The
nine men who are elected members of the
house of delegates at the general NUM-
ctpal election in the year 1896 shall be mem
hers of the city council created by this
charter, and each shall serve for a period
of two years, and Of the five persons who
are elected at the general municipal cleo
ton in the year 1896 members of the board
of aldermen. the four who respectively re-
cefVe the highest vote shall be the other
Jour members of the city council created
by this charter, and the two OF them who
respectively receive the highest vote shall
other two shall serve for a period of two
years. In case of tie vote, the outgoing
council shall in joint convention determine
the election or length of term (by lott. The
qualifications of the members elected in
1896 shall be such as prescribed for them
respectively by the charter which is super
seeded hereby. Until the organization of
thS city council under the foregoing pro-
visions of this Subdivision, the city coun-
81 shall be constituted and composed as
1t is constituted and composed at the time
n fI0A 0On Of hi chr o.11.
house OF it shall be governed by and have
and exercise the powers granted it by the
charter of the city of Seattle which was in
force on the first day of January, 1885,
Subdivision G. Each member of the city
council shall receive an annual salary of
three hundred dollars, payable monthly. A
shall De made from the salary of each
member who shall be absent froTa any reg
ular meeting Of the city council.
Sec. 4. Except as otherwise provided in
Section of this Article. no person shall
be eligible for councilman unless he shall
have been a citizen of the United States
s-n9 a reSidept and elector of the city for
az least Jour years next prior to his cleo
ton; and no person shall be eligible for
election by the electors Of any ward unless
III addition to the above requirements, he
Snall nave been resident of the ward from
which he is elected and freebooter of the
city for at least two years next prior to
his election.
Sec. 5. A majority Of all members elect
co Snail constitute G quorum, but less
number may adjourn from day to day-or
till the time of the next regular meeting.
ana may compel the attendance of alb
sent members in such manner and under
such penalties as the council shall pre-
scribe
SEC. 6. The city council shall
First-Annualiy, and also whenever a
vacancy occurs, choose from its members
It's president, who shall perform the usual
functions of a presiding officer, and may
be removed by the affirmative vote of not
than q 1I0orc
Secord-Establish rules for it's proceed
ings.
Third-Keep a journal of its proceed
1ngs and allow the proceedings to be pub
lished, and take the yeas and nays on any
question on demand Of any two members
and enter the same in the journal
Fourth-Have authority to punish its
members and others for disorderly or 9TH
erwise cOntemptuous behavior in it's pres
ence, and to eXpel for such behavior III its
presence any member by the affirmative
vote Of not less than tWo-thirds of its mem
bers, specifying In the order of expulsion
the cause thereof.
Fifth-Have authority to create and use
committees of its members, in order to
facilitate the discharge of its legisIative
functions; provided, that no committee of
the council and no part of any committee
ecutive or administrative power, except as
otherwise expressly provided in this char
Ter
Sixth-Have power to compel attendance
pers and things pertinent to business be-
fore it or any of its committees.
Sec. z. The city council shall have power
to and shall appoint from its members a
committee, consisting of three or more to
be denominated finance committee and
to fill all vacancies in said committed Such
committee shall have power to investigate
the transactions and accounts of all Of
f1cers having the collection, custody and
disbursement Of public money, or having
the power to approve, allow or audit de-
mands on the treasury; it shall have free
access to any records, books and papers in
all public offices; and shall have power to
administer oaths or affirmations and to
exc mine witnesses and compel attendance
before it by subpoena. Said COMMITTEES
may visit any of the public Offices when
and as often as it thinks proper, and make
its examinations anG investigations therein
without hindrance. It shall be the duty of
such committee as often as once in every
six Months to examine the official bonds
of all city officers and repositories of the
city funds, and inquire into and inyesti-
gate the sufficiency and solvency Of the
Sureties thereon and report the facts to the
mayor. Such report shall specify each bond
With the sureties and the amount for which
each surety is bound, and state whether
or not they are deemed sufficient and SOL
vent. Upon such report the mayor shall
act SO as to protect the city, and may re-
qui-e new bonds when necessary, and he
may suspend the officer until a sufficient
bond is filed and approved. In the exer-
else of its functions, a concurrence of a
shall be deemed sufficient Said commit
tee shall keep record of its proceedings.
With The names Of the witnesses examined
ana substantial statement of the evi,
dent.,- .ai,en. If from the examination
made - IA COMMITTEES it shall appear that
a misder nor in office or a defalcatio
has been 90 nitted by any officer, said
committee sn+ Immediately report TO the
mayor, who, /. approve such report
shall forthwith 81. nd such officer. and
take the proper step nder this charter to
remove him or to caua. IS removal. ANY
police officer shall execute he process and
orders of said committee.
Sec. s. The finance committee shall i'm
mediateIy upon. its appointment and semi
anrually make %Sthofough examina ton Of
all The books of the city, treasurer and city
comptroller, and report We result of such
Investigations to the city council.
Sec. 8. The council shall meet upon the
slrst Monday of each month, or If that day
be g. legal holiday, then upon the next day
not q holiday thereafter, and all its ses-
sions shall be public, and it shall not ad-
journ to any other place than its regular
place Of meeting: but the mayor, or In his
absence or disability the president Of the
council or. any three councilmen, may cali
q special meeting Of the council.
SEQ 10. Every legislative act Of said
city RhaA be by ordnance. MvOry erdi-