The First Fight of the New City Council
Tacoma's new city council clashes over a proposed pay raise for the foreman of streets, revealing deep divisions over fiscal responsibility.
The new city council enlivened its first meeting last night by a discussion on the question of raising the salary of the foreman of streets from $70 to $100 per month. The debate arose over a communication from Commissioner of Public Works Welsh, who urged the increase. Councilman Reed argued that the salary fund was in poor condition and that the matter should be deferred. Councilman Whitman added that it was not business-like for a new council to start by raising salaries when all the business men are figuring how they can reduce their expenses. Despite Commissioner Welsh's argument that they need a highly skilled man to repair Tacoma's streets, the motion was lost and the communication was referred back to the committee.
“I don't want this administration to go off half-cocked on the finances of the city.”
Debates over municipal spending and the professionalization of city staff are perennial themes in Tacoma politics. The tension between wanting 'the best men' and keeping the budget balanced remains a core conflict in local governance over a century later.
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