Olympia's New Council Hands 'Boss' Sickels the Purse Strings

Expectant office-seekers filled the chairs outside the bar of the council chamber last night, but all were turned away with disappointment, as the meeting for the transaction of that business was postponed. Councilmen Talcott, Phipps and Springer looked at ease in the chairs of their predecessors, while Mayor O'Brien dispatched business in a creditable manner. Ex-Councilmen Murphy and Percival were among the spectators.

By far the most important matter of the evening was the appointment of committees, Boss Sickels having been transferred to the chairmanship of the committee on ways and means. The mayor announced that he had endeavored to place the committees with the best possible discretion, and read them as follows:

Ways and Means—Sickels, Mc Bratney and Ward. Health, Police and Public Property—Ford, Talcott and Mc Bratney. Street, Wharves and Bridges—Mc Bratney, Ford and Springer. Accounts and Current Expenses—Talcott, Springer and Phipps. Fire, Light and Water—Springer, Phipps and Talcott. Franchises, Licenses and Sewerage—Ward, Sickels and Ford. Judiciary—Phipps, Sickels and Ward.

The report of Chief McClelland of the fire department showed that there were twenty alarms during the year, more than for any two previous years. The fire alarm system was reported as giving good satisfaction, but the necessity for five more alarm boxes was pointed out. Attention was also called to the need for an extension hook and ladder truck and six more hydrants. The chief recommended that two men be employed at the engine house of the Olympia company. He also asked that $150 be appropriated for completing the engine house. The equipment of the department was listed as follows: one hose wagon, two engines, five hose carts, hook and ladder truck, 11 fire alarm boxes, 4000 feet of hose, of which 1000 is in bad condition, two horses and a set of patent drop harness. The total expense of the department for the year was stated at $7,766.85.

Action on the bids for city advertising was postponed until Friday evening. Several reports were read and referred to the proper committees.

On Friday evening Mayor O'Brien will present a summary of the city's affairs.

City Engineer Willard Lemon submitted a report in relation to the Franklin street sewer, which was cut off by the Seventh street tunnel. He says he notified the railroad to remedy it, but has received no response.

"In my judgment the railroad company is responsible for the nuisance now here existing, and which will soon become intolerable, and should under proper authority be requested to provide a suitable abatement thereof.

"If I were to suggest a remedy, it would be for the Franklin street drain a sewer pipe of not less than ten inches with a uniform descent eastward to the drain now passing under the track at the west side of Adams street, and continuing it thence some distance out upon the mud flats into the bay.

"I would suggest that the size and grade of the proposed new sewer in Franklin street from Seventh to Tenth streets, be considered in connection with this outlet."

The report of the city treasurer showed the total receipts from July 1 to December 31 to be $51,729.58. The balances in the several funds are: General fund $2,301.88; Street fund $1,226.55; Sewer fund $1,707.73; Seward Street fund $218.37; Fifth Street fund (Hale add.) $855.12; Pear Street fund (Hale add.) $532.99; Pine Street fund (Hale add.) $532.12; Second Street fund $185.00; Plum Street fund $38.78; West Fourth Street fund $232.63; Main Street Improvement fund $154.40; Total balance $7,986.07.