The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-12-28
Citizens Discuss the Question
Before the Council.
TO BE DECIDED BY The PEOPLE
The Repeal Of Article IL Would Rem
der Meaningless Nest of Present
Charter-Supt. of Streets r. y. Lit
tie Reappointed-I Improvement
First Avenue 10 Be ReEraded.


council. PROFESSIONALLY the sentiment OF
a majority OF the council Il IN favor OF
submitting the question TO a vote OF the
people Strong opposition 10 this course
was voiced by some OF the leading men Of
the city last night who were present TO
participate in discussion on the subject
The appointment OF a superintendent OF
streets was accomplished with less trouble
than usually accompanies the handing out
Of a position in the municipality. Frank
y. Little was appointed 10 succeed himself
and was confirmed with slight opposition.
Mayor T. J. Humes' official appointment
was as follows:
IT hereby appoint Frank y Little. esq,
As superintendent of streets sewers and
parks. his term Of office 10 commence jan
uary i. 1Ss. II his appointment as such is
confirmed by YOU"
Taylor moved that the reappointmens of
F. " Little be confirmed. and he was sec
onded by Raymond. Rude said the matter
should be laid over one week, as is custom
airy In such cases He was seconded by
Navin. who took advantage OF the onportu-
nifty 10 make a speech. Nav1n believed that
some one better qualified for the position
might turn up in the next two weeks. In
his position he was supported by Rude and
McArde. Little was confirmed, all pres
ent voting In the affirmative save the three
named
Talking Civil Service.
The petition alleged to have i701 sigma
lures asking that the repeal of the clause
of the city charter relative 10 civil service
be submitted TO a vote of the people was
brought up in the shape Of motion by
Chapman that the question be so submit
ted
The council went into committee OF the
whole TO consider the matter. McArdle in
the chair. The amendment proposed is 10
the civil service regula ti0ns incorporated
II lzY.4 sxI
March g. 1896 Present in the lobby were
Ellis De Bruler. f. l.. Blaine. Thomas
Burke, Z. o. Graves, Fl. r. Titus. a. ].
| Wells. Harold Preston. G. Z. Crane. New
man Kline, Harry Dreese and several 9TH
ers.
4. o. Graves representing the committee
on city and county affairs of the Chamber
of Commerce. was asked to address the
council. That committee had he SAID, al
ready taken action in opposition to the
abolition of civil service. and in that he
thought they represented a maiority of the
people Of the city.
There has never been time he said
when the city government has been car
ried on with such freedom from scandal
and pickering as ii has since the establish
ment of civil service As a citizen | feel a
pride in having this growing Western city
In line with the FIRST cities of the United
States. Twenty-Five years ago ! was con-
ment tried in this country. and have seen
i its growth as a successful institution. We
should work for Improvement. not for
( abolition. 10 build up. not tear down. There
/ may be defects and If SO. let us cure them
! but not burn the whole fabric for one fault
] should look with the deepest regret on a
step backward. Let us not wallow again
/ in the slough of political 81 3ils and corrup-
ton"
I Charles L. Crane as a member Of the
! committee which inserted in the charter
i the civil service clause. said that he
| wished heartily 10 see IL continued. He
/ believed that ii had not been thoroughly
! tried. civil service he said. simply
| provides that man shall be tested before
| ne Is allowed 10 fiji position. Object
/ orS are Tor the most part those who can
! not meet the test. Ii seems to me it
/ would be almost a crime 20 do away with
civil service. Another thing the elmina-
! ton Of article IS would injure the
whole charter as 1t Is now"
! Harold Preston said that il was hardly
! practicable 10 repeal section 16 In the
/ way proposed. as no substitute is offered
/ for II. The charter" he said, provides
( that the heads Of departments shall have
! absolutely the power ri appointment and
/ removal. save as otherwise provided. The
! Only restraining provision is article is
! II That Were eliminated We WGu!3 nave
! the Spoils system without a single re-
J Straint. IT section 10 is taken out and
20 substitute is offered ~ each election
/ every empioye would go ont of office and
/ there would result a great scramble for
/ place. Every clause OF the charter. in
I relation to municipal officers, hinges on
/ civil service and depends upon H. HaT
the articles of the charter would be rem
/ derei meaningless by this proposed re-
| peal. did not HE the way this provi-
| stHn vas arranged. ana as 4 member IF
ttf.f -
article Is. not because | WAS no, tn favor
/ of civil service bul because I dia not
| like the way il Was put. am frank
! 10 say th2t since have seen il in opera
,ion favor Il rs it Is. Possibly il might
he amended as There may be a faw."
Hopeless Confusion.
Judge Tho mas Burke declared that The
! abolition If civil service would throw the
! whole municipal government. as II now
! -. into hopeless confusion. Wipe out
/ elton Is hr saio. and the charter IS
entrees Ineffective. You SOW the seeds
. IF endless litigation. You leave vs. with
/ a riIid~rl,SS ship Personally. | have
for wars been s0 favor II civil service.
i means thaf merit has me choice There
! may "a faults Hat done burn down ire
harm - h'il the rats. W. have system
-" Fh"tsia h- vro'il - Ne tfs tssa
eyes "f ihe world are upoa this city TO
! sHEh backward step should be "a kea.'
+. l.. Blame. d uenb-t III the civil. ser
vire commission s4'd he acknowledged
tHal t7~re were faults ip tn. regulations.
but very EFFORT had i,yen made 20 perfect
/ them = Rave tdis statement 70 make. %
/ n" sara no Individual nos sos nj inai-
! NilUa has EYER cnu1e - the commission
{ to suggest Improvements n the system. Il
/ seems 10 me there must be -atn- room,
/ 10 Question me sincerity Of those who
Nh % utterly go away with c5vil SEP
fr4It having taken ne t-.-=rbsa