The Seattle Post Intelligencer

BONUS FOR OFFICERS.

New Provision for Good Conduct in City Government.

CHARTER REVISING AT WORK.

Disposal of Surplus in Street Grade Funds—Duties of Port Warden—The Work of Committees.

At the meeting of the city charter revision committee last night only the following members were present: Chairman Drew, Aldermen Jordan, Cram and Ingram, Delegates Kloeber and Crichton, W. G. Armstrong and Joseph Kerr. It was expected that the sub-committee on legislation would bring in a report on the proposition to legislate out of office the present city council, but owing to the absence of Chairman W. T. Scott, of that committee, the report was not presented.

Mr. Armstrong introduced a proposition to amend section 3, article 17, which was referred to the committee on legislation. It provides that "All salaried officers other than policemen, detective officers and firemen shall, before they enter upon the discharge of their official duties, give approved bonds for the faithful performance of such official duties, which surety shall be an approved surety bond of a reliable insurance company. All such bonds must be approved by a majority of the auditing committee in open session. The amounts of such bonds, except as otherwise provided in this charter, shall be fixed by the city council by ordinance. The following officers shall give surety bonds in the following sums: Mayor, $25,000; city clerk, $5,000; comptroller and assessor, $10,000; treasurer, $100,000; police judge, $5,000. The premium on the above bonds shall be paid by the city."

The following proposition to amend section 13, article 8, twelfth line, suggested by Comptroller Carson, was referred to the finance committee:

"Any such funds remaining in the treasury after the expiration of two years from the date aforesaid for which no demand has been made as herein provided, belonging to any local improvement district, after the payment of the whole cost and expense of such improvement, shall be transferred to the general fund."

The following proposition in regard to a port warden was introduced by the committee on public works, harbors, etc.:

"The mayor, by and with the advice and consent of the council, shall appoint a port warden, who shall be deemed the head of the harbor department and whose duties shall be, subject to the ordinances of the council, the enforcement of all sanitary regulations and laws relating to the abatement of nuisances along the water front, and to control such vessels or scows as may be required for the removal of garbage from the city, and the performance of such other duties not inconsistent with this charter in relation to harbors and wharves as may be prescribed by ordinance."

Dr. Kloeber objected to this being considered as a committee report, and insisted that all propositions should be first submitted to the whole body and by it referred to appropriate sub-committees, so that all members may know what measures are being considered and may have an opportunity to consider them also, if they so desire, and that when the committee shall report on the matter all the members may be able to discuss the proposition. After some discussion of this proposed rule it was adopted and the proposition reported was referred to the committee originating it.

Chairman Drew also announced that all propositions should be handed in to City Clerk Stoneman in advance of the meeting, so that he may prepare typewritten copies for all members of the committee on the submission of the propositions.

The committee then adjourned until Saturday evening at 7:30 o'clock.