The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-08-14

At the meeting of the city council last
night, the civil service system OF the
city, as at present administered, came IN
for attention. Councilman James. who
was one OF Its strongest advocates at the
time of the adoption of the charter pro-
vision, characterized il as worthless lie
said he believed there were more tncom-
petent men employed by the city now than
there would be IL there was no such sys-
tenn.
The council killed the sport OF cours-
ing, which was inaugurated last Sunday
at Madison park. by directing the chief
of police 10 prohibit all such exhibitions
in the future.
The discussion on the civil service sys-
TEN arose over the Introduction of bill
appointing Cicero Newell. superintendent
of the local branch of the Boys and
Girls Aid Society, special policeman
with pay. James objected to IL on the
ground that the police force had been
almost doubled within the past year, and
that If the bill passed the chief of police
would be responsible for all the arrests
made by the special officer. while the
latter would not be responsible to the
chief. According to the charter. more
over. he declared, appointment to the po-
lice force was through civil service alone.
Muldoon spoke in the same vein. and
BENJAMIN made his maiden speech In the
Newell be given the floor. The latter
explained the objects of the society and
why 1t was necessary for him to have the
power to arrest.
"If we have power to create a special
policeman with pay. without regard to
civil service rules, then the council could
maintain a force of its own without re-
gard to either the mayor or chief OF
police" declared President Rinehart.
Navin Has His say.
This bill provides that Mr.. Newell
shall report to the mayor" interjected
Navin. Now. the mayor is not the man
to report to, because he does not know
anything about the police. / meant to
say" he added. that he didn't have to
know"
Crichton declared that 1t would be a
shame for the council to violate the char
ter by appointing special policeman
will pay. Especially so.' he said ''since
the civil service rules have been so close
ly followed in Seattle during the last
two or three MONTHS
Mr.. President" said James, Impress
lively. II wish to state that In my opin-
ion the civil service system of Seattle
is not worth a continental believe
there are more incompetent men on the
city pay roll now than there would be
IL we had no civil service at ALL" The
statement was greeted with applause.
After a Few more uncompllmentary re-
marks concerning the system. the bill
under discussion was referred back to
the civil service committee and the SAL
airy committee
The motion instructing the chief of
police TO prohibit coursing matches In
Seattle was made by Crichton. In ex-
PLANTATION he said that hares were let
loose in an enclosed place and torn to
pieces by dogs As member OF the HUI
name Society he protested against such
cruelty to animals The motion was car
ried unanimously.
The mayor was authorized to appoint
Thomas McCfusky and George w. Hollo-
way special policeman without pay.
Assessment rolls as follow we're APP
proved on their final passage: For the
Improvement of James street from Sec
ond avenue to Sixth avenue: for the
Improvement OF jefferson street, for
Ninth avenue south. for Westlake avenue
from Lake avenue to Ewing avenue; for
East Fir street, from Sixteenth TO TWEEN
tieth avenues, and for block In May
nard's plat, by replanking.
Railroads Arc Regulated.
The Improvement of Westlake avenue
between Republican and Mercer streets
by grading. sidewalking and planking
was ordered A hill making 1t unlawful