The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1907-03-30
The Incorporation Question
Summary of the Law Governing the Incorpora-
ton of Towns of the Fourth Class
g To be or not to be, that IS the question:

''7o be or not to BE- that IS the question:
ENEWED here in the matter of incor
poration and the question he regarded with
favor than has been before The islanders
ston concerning we'll known 1t has always favored it, as it al
project that has given promise the moral
material welfare the community For the ISLANDER
rven earnestly promote the best interests of the town and
county possible wayndustra educational and POLITICAL
and will continue doing long remains under its
ownership Some who uniend the editor and who are
accustomed the guidance personal pudces in the
of their of his views public questions have
charged that the has heretofore favored incorporation
der hod up the public printing, although
when this monopoly this field the editor Of
red publish all the notices and ordinances and leave the
question ocompenson entirely council Now that another
has been through influence Of these gentlemen
is possible that Il better offer be secured.
When the Incorporation question being discussed two
the published of the law the subject the
substance which information all who
be in matter:
Municipal corporations whose population not less than 800
than 1000 municipal corporations of the
fourth class Their limited mile and
than twenty unpatted belonging
included within the limits such without the consent of
owner of such land
Before be Incorporated petition must be presented
to the board signed least qualified
electors the residing within the limits the proposed
ration which limits forth the petition which
state the people residing within proposed
limits petition published prior
the time fixed for its presentation The commissioners required
act the petition within months They make changes
the limits described the petition convinced petition
bears the requisite number duly qualified and
that there within the proposed people they
required notice election held such
poraon for the determining whether the shall e
cpoted Such election shall be conducted accordance
general election laws of the majority
incorporation the required
declaring territory
certified of the order be filed with the secretary
Officers chosen the time Incorporation
election thereafter being
the first Monday in December.
governing corporations
vested and council consisting of five members
the being The members the first council
required classify themselves by lot that three
Office the expiration year
piration of years. The council required appoint
fix their compensation compensation the
The and members of the
pay they officers permitted
interested directly indirectly any
in furnishing any supplies for its
meetings public resolution
granting franchise for purpose shall passed
day within days thereafter
regular meeting No resolution
money passed other than regular meeting
such ordinances passed the votes
of at least three counclmen
powers the improvements
provisions protection the making
supply public lighting Streets licensing saloons
shows exhibitions and lawful clearly defined by the law
amply protected the provso that
PER CENT Of he assessed valuation.
The editor only business man or
Friday Habor who refused pledge himself
writing year ago to favor incorporation
hen when he of small minority strong
as when majority the people recog
advabl We do not intend who ned
the last his belief
then There limit
and the object sought having accomphe gners
perhaps view the Incorporation matter the light
of changed conditions well
able the it only be done through
, f effort The
standpoint prejudces should be laid aside