The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-03-04
HotsE.

OLYMPIA, March s.-Speciai.-The Spo-
kane delegation furnished the house with
a small sensation this morning when IL
developed that there was lively row
going on between the members from tho
county which has carried away nine
tenths OF the prizes during the session.
IL was during tina debate on q. u. Q. by
Piummer, amending the law relativ 10
the sale Of property under assessrnepts
for local improvements. Piummer I. cor
poration counsel for Spokane. and CANA
down 10 the house this morning to help
the bill through the lower chamber.
As soon as the bill had been read. Rob-
erts jumped up and moved that further
consideration OF the measure be indea-
nitely postponed. In support OF his mo-
tion. Roberts said vehementiy:
This is a most vicious bill II 10 .
short cut across lots so as 20 oonnseate .
mans home. IL takes away a property
owners 1ust rights In court and ought to
Roberts attack aroused the house.
Warner asked Roberts,
lis Il not true that you owe the city of
spokane $1,000 in delinquent street grade
taxeS?''
Roherts-No. sir
Gsraghty-ThIs bill should not be kiifed
just because some member has a personal
interest that viii be affected by g.
Geraghty asked that Piumrner. who sat
by bis side, be given permission TO ex-
plain the bill Permission was granted.
and the senator took the floor. He said
that the bill had been drafted as a re-
lief 20 cities Of the first class. The city
attorneys had recommended the hill. Is
was designed 10 prevent vexatious litiga-
tion and delay. Said PIummer
I'm Spokane we have a class OF attor-
neys who 30 from house 20 house saying
that II they are employed by the prop
erty owner they VIII night the aesessmsnt
~
paying g. They even write 20 property
| owners living IN the East an1 make them
| believe that they ean take their street
| assessments into court and knock them
out. Thus the city ~ placed between two
| fres--on one side are the holders of the
| street grade warrants, who are demanding
/ their money. ard who sue the city. ON
| the ofhsr ara the property owners who
refuse TO pay. and who avoid meeting
their assessments as long as possible BY
| legal means. This bin viii not cinch any
/ body
wow. as 10 Mr.. Roberts. he told ma
| himself that this hlli would affect his
| personal interests 70 the extent of g. 30
| or sp9, ard that he proposed TO ight II.
| lie told me that 10 would cost him good
/ deal of money"
| Roberts interrupted. saying:
Mr.. Speaker. never before in this
| house has my honor been assaileH THE
/ verarlty OF one 0f tws men IL at stake.
/ and | demand that"
| He goi no further. for the speaker held
| that PIsmmer was stifi entitled 20 the
/ foor. The latter. continuing. said
| Il asked Mr. Roberts not 70 fight this
| bin on personal grounds. but he has seen
1 ~ 70 do 80. N0w. ! want 70 say that ~
| the meeting % the repreHer "a ffves az tho
1 cities az Tacoma some time sgD. IN Was
| decided 70 recommend this hili and ae-
cogdingiy I drew Il up. J believe 81 viii
/ be the fueHrs or avoiding needless litiga--
/ tl0sr. snd will aave the cities a great deal
/ of money"
/ Roberts stated that Re dia NOT Owe any
! eellnaueut assewsfnents in Spokane. bot
( sala that tho Buckley estate owed sosgs
| in Tacoma but fhae he understood that
/ the supreme court aad declared the as
| sezsrnent Illegal II aevsIoped later that
1 Mr. Roberts wife Is one of the heirs %
| the Buckley estate.
Guie spoke against the hlI character
/ king % a. one Of the most vicious that
/ had come before TIE house
/ NentEer % Pierce repgfed 70 Guie say
Tag thaf re believed the biiI good ore.
| There was a corporation IN Tacoma.
| Mentzsr said. that succeeded IN getting
! large number ~ streets graded aad had
! then gone into the c1urfa ard fought tbs
| assessments on technical grounds.
Way zna Johnston said here we're good
| features 20 the Bill
Here tire noon recass fnfervened On
/ rscouveninE kitfinzsr spoke against ihs
/ hsIi, which hs gAid. was vicious AGA un-
| )uzt kftf!nger severely criticised Plum
! uaer whGHa attack en- Roberts ne sasd
/ WAS beyond parliamentary precedent and
I uwarran9sa
Here 9 =. Bush euG on debate wita a
raos8on for fhe previous question. Rob-
erts motion 70 indefinitely postpone tus
1iIl zaa losf
L. xalca appeal can % tAksn to tas aus