The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-01-09
A VERY INCISIVE MESSAGE
Criticisms by Fafrhaven's Retiring
Mayer-Rebake to Sanction
of Gambling Methods

FAIRHANEN. Jan. s-Speeisl--Tne
message of Mai Ell WlIkin. the retiring
mayor. 10 the city council. makes some
very pertinent comments upon the ode
fective and absurd distribution Of power
under the statutes IN the government OF
cities Of the third class" and suggests the
necessity for certain practical changes in
the law After enumerating the few and
comparatively unImpOrant duties or the
mayor under the present law. he says:
These duties could be equally Well done
by a member OF the council. acting as
president OF IL. and hence. under the pres
ent system, no mayor is necessary, so
far as the performance Of any essential
d.ty 4 concerned The mayor really "a
NJ expected 70 have the ordinary intsETi-
u or business capacity. as the law now
stands, fitting him for a position OF trust
and responsibility IN city government. lie
can go through the farce OF vetolng
vicious ordinance. bat the same NUMBER
OF councilmen having authority originally
20 adopt Il can pass II over bis veto. In
fact. while ft takes five votes In the coun-
eli 20 adopt certain ordinances. II the
mayor were TO veto such an ordinance Il
would seem that four votes would De sur
hcIent to pass the same over MS veto.
The truth is the mayor in this city has no
executive authority TO meet emergencies.
nor any supervisory control over other OF
NCerS or committees. even 10 cneckmate
pestilence or prevent impending oahger OF
great damage 10 the city.
porated In the message II appears mat the
total bonded Indebtedness of the city. with
accumulated interest. IS s240 $50, ana the
warrant indebtedness is &i.575.Ss. OF which
SO. So is on the general funo. me
course pursued by the city In the matter
81 street grade assessments meets the Wig
orous condo mnatton of the retiring mayor.
who SAYS that IL has resulted in an over
issue OF warrants upon the various street
grade funds. and Is a manifest fraud up
on the purchasers of the warrants. The
city has taken no steps to enforce the col
lection Of delinquent street grade assess
ments under the act OF March 9. 1898. and
IL Is considered "a legal question whether
or not the neglect of the city authorities
in the matter has not fixed legal liability
upon the city for the payment of those
warrants"
The various devices and schemes of
chance directly or indir city used as
means OF selling property" are given
vigorous rap on the ground that "the NOR
al ana business education OF the youth
scarcely needs the aid of dice. slot ma
chimes and the winning of tickets for goods
ar solo. cinch and other tables 20 make
them good citizens and used as they are
as a means of selling property they are
considered a menace TO the legitimate
business Of merchants handling the same
line Of goods and ought 10 contribute to
=
IL appears from the message that the
Fairhaven g. Southern Railway Company,
new the Great Northern. has no franchise
for its line through a portion of the city,
where the railroad is being operated, the
company having declined to accept a iran
chise containing certain safeguards and
intended 10 avoid difficulties that might
arise in the future development OF the
city.
The new council has deferred the max
ing OF appointments until its next regular
meeting, which VIII be held on Janu-
airy Is Committees of the new council
have been appointed by Mayor Clark az
follows:
judiciary, d. w. Felt, L. n. Griffin. ].
r. Scott: executive. ]. l.. Easton. ID. w.
Felt. L. y Griffin: FIRE, water and light.
Z. n Griffin. r. Z. Perrin. ]. .. Sharp
less; license and public property. J. y.
Scott. ]. l.. Easton: streets, sewers and
water front. r. c. Perrin. n w. Felt. T,
r. Monohan: health and police. ]. q.
Sharpess. +. c. Perrin. T. T.. Monohan:
purchasing T. E. Monohsn. J. b. Scott.
J. L. Easton.
Treasurer-eqect Gallagher has been al
lowed until the next meeting Of the council
10 file his bond.