The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-01-03

historical transit from Puget sound Jungle
to brick pavements and six-story build
ings; from the days when the laws of the
community were enforced by virtue OF
common assent and according to the rules
OF natural justice, always so strong In the
pioneers OF Washington, to the present
date Of complexity in municipal legislation
and methods. Seattle was born, munich
pally. long before there was any legal rec
ignition OF ii. After more than 10 years of
vigorous grown and development. the
legislature of the territory of Washington
in 1865 passed an act to incorporate the
town OF Seattle. AS IL the boots did not
fit the boy, this act was repealed in 1851
and the town remained un;ncorporated
until December. 1862, when the territorial
legislature passed an act to Incorporate
the city Of Seattle This was a simple act
providing for town government with a
most primitive organlzat ton or city coun-
cilmen and city officers with few simple
provisions for the levy of taxes and the
regulation OF the young municipal life.
This organic act was successfully amend
ed and expanded to meet the growing
needs of the young city by amendments
adopted in 1871. 1873. 1875. 1877. 1879, 1883 and
in lsSe by an act TO revise and amend the
charter of the city OF Seattle.
Territorial Maixeshifts.
The municipal provisions of the city's
charter and ordinances during all these
years were OF the simplest character and
designed merely to meet the current needs
OF the community. 1t must be borne in
mind that during all this period until No
vember 1889, we were living IN territory
OF the United States under general laws
or congress that were made, like ready
made clothing. according to fashions long
out of date, under tAe delusion that one
general system of laws could equally serve
the needs or Arizona, Utah or Washing
ton, when in fact they were out OF date
for any territory OF the Unlon. No organic
law could then be provided for the city
by which its present needs and future pos
abilities could be provided for. The city
could not incur debt 70 provide municipal
facilities. and rs regulations for local and
municipal tmproyem were evolved on
the patchwork plan according to the bien-
NAL vagar4es OF territorial legislatures.
The Freehoiders' Charter.
There was. therefore. by the arrival OF
the year i6s9. a long pent-up demand and
desire on the part OF our people for an
adequate municipal charter which would
enable Seattle 20 make improvements and
enter upon definite municipal system
Ths first legislature OF the state provided
for The organization OF cities OF the first
class by the adoption OF <her own char
ters. Seattle Immediately awaited herself
az this legislation and fn 1880 the FIRST free
holders charter was adopted. We were
a
commission OK our ablest and most con-
seTvatIve cFrizens prepared an admirable
and comprehensive charter which by adop-
ton or the paQp.e became our organic law.
II would bs rnfafr TO the trainers OF the
freeholdsrs' charter and the citizens who
adopted x 50 omit a tribute 20 rs merits.
Tne best u5.uEs In municipal experience
were drawn upon from all sources An adj
mlrable system OF efficiency and OF checks
sn legislation and IN financial and execsa-
tive administration was embodied ia that
charter upon such a scale as was then be-
neged by al our people to be best suited
20 existing needs and the needs irnmedl-
ately 20 follow. The depression and
shrinkage OF business In an communities,
and especially n Western communities,
since 1890 has made & somewhat popular
20 cri llc!se the freeholders' charter BY
successive amendments N 1852 and Isa4
add oy complete but mid revision in 1856.
rs provisions have been some what sim
pGaed and - workings eeonouul zed. The
main features. however. o. the freehold
ers' charter have been, and. Il Is safe 20
say. wIl he preserved.
u should be a sufficient assurance 20 n.
trainers Of the charter ard a sun cleut
Arswer 20 al q Us radical critics that a
resent convention Of Enba cipal and conn
msFc4al bodies "a cur city. IN the interest
o. TstFereafnent and reform N lsxfzsatson.
Consisting as s. did % nea experienced IN
al phases of aa1nscsp al administration.
from that % tns federal government 20
our cwa municipality. we're unable 20 Nn4
4n Sssttle's nun cspal plan. whether anan-
eia., executive or legislative. any ground
Tor serious criticism or amendment.
During the iong term Of territorial eAxa