Spokane Falls Council Tackles Charter, Cash, and a Dead Horse

The City Council of Spokane Falls held a regular monthly meeting Monday evening, August 6, 1883. Present—Mayor Glover and Councilmen Cannon, Burch, Gray, Denber, and Fredenrich. Absent—Councilmen Runner and Crandall. On motion Mr. Cannon was chosen chairman. The minutes of the meeting of July 16th were read and approved.

Under 'unfinished business' the clerk stated that the bill of L. Ziegler & Son had never been acted upon. Mr. Gray moved that the bill of Messrs. Ziegler & Son, amounting to $5.75, be allowed, supplementing the motion by the statement that the account had been permitted to go too long unpaid already. The mention of the bill revived discussions similar to others that have occurred every time the matter has been brought up. It seems that a portion of the bill is for twenty-three buckets that were procured from Ziegler's store during the excitement that accompanied the great fire last January, after which the said buckets were spirited away. Also for a certain keg of powder, which it is claimed only a small portion was used. Some of the members stated that they did not consider the city responsible for the loss of individuals on occasions of this kind, and several present reported losses of their own which they did not expect the city to pay for. It was moved and seconded that 60 percent of the bill be allowed. There being no second to Mr. Gray's motion, the last motion was voted upon and carried.

The report of the Finance Committee on the report of the City Treasurer was called for, but not being prepared the matter was laid over until next meeting. Mr. Gray, as Chairman of the Street and Alley Committee, stated that he was not prepared to report on the grading of First street as the work was impracticable at the present time on account of the scarcity of labor.

The following petition asking for the vacation of Fall street was read: To the Honorable City Council of Spokane Falls: The undersigned residents and property owners in the City of Spokane Falls, W.T., would respectfully represent: 1st. That the undersigned J. N. Glover, J. J. Browne, A. M. Cannon, and H. W. Fairweather are the sole and only property-owners in block one (1) and two (2) in the town of Spokane Falls, W.T. 2d. That a certain strip or alley of land generally known as Fall street, about thirty-one (31) feet in width situated between blocks one (1) and two (2) in the town of Spokane Falls, is not and never has been used by the public or any portion thereof as a public highway or thoroughfare. 3d. That the interests of your petitioners would be much enhanced if said Fall street would be vacated. 4th. That the vacation of said street would work no injury or inconvenience to the public or to any individual. Wherefore, we petition your honorable body that said Fall street, to wit: a strip of land about thirty-one (31) feet in width, situated between blocks one (1) and two (2), in the town of Spokane Falls, be vacated. J. N. Glover, J. J. Browne, A. M. Cannon, H. W. Fairweather. By J. N. Glover.

Mayor Glover explained the position of the street at some length, which could never exist only on a map. It commenced at the lower corner of Cannon's mill, running between blocks one and two, across the channel of the river to Havermale's little island, and was unavailable for any purpose whatsoever. At present it is covered with slabs, and never could be utilized. Mr. Cannon said that the street does not appear on the present map of the City of Spokane Falls. It was laid out by the surveyor who laid out the original town and might possibly be on record in Stevens County. For public purposes it is perfectly useless. On motion of Dr. Burch the petition was referred to the Committee on Streets and Alleys with instructions to report at the next meeting.

The bill of the Spokane Falls Review, for publishing ordinances and job printing, $16.50, was, on motion, ordered paid. The bill of McDonald & Pound, for hauling away a dead horse, $5, was read. The Marshal explained that the carcass had been complained of and that he had ordered it removed. It had been dragged a long distance away, as far as the old ferry. He did not know who owned the animal. Mayor Glover stated that it would be advisable to establish a public pound, where estray animals could be kept, and have the keeper of the same see to the removal of dead animals. He thought that dead stock should be buried and not dumped about the country to pollute the atmosphere. Considerable complaint had reached his ears about the stench arising from decomposing carcasses. Marshal Hyde stated that he had made no contract with McDonald & Pound. They had used six horses in dragging off the nuisance, and had pulled it a considerable distance. At one time he had had a body removed for $1, and at another the party had brought in a bill for $2 for doing the same kind of work and the council had reduced the whole $1. The bill was referred to the Finance Committee. The bill of the Chronicle amounting to $4.50 for advertising was, on motion, allowed.

Mayor Glover called the attention of the Council to the imperative necessity of drafting a new and thorough charter for the city, one that would meet all requirements for years to come. The matter must be acted upon at once in order to get it before the Territorial Legislature that convenes in a few weeks. He considered it a subject of vital importance and one that should be acted upon without a moment's delay. The proper method to pursue would be to appoint a committee with power to act in the premises, instruct said committee to engage all necessary legal assistance as might be required, and have the charter submitted at a meeting of the Council at which time it could be thoroughly discussed and such changes, additions, etc., made as might be deemed expedient. There were able and competent attorneys who could be secured to aid the City Attorney in the work. This is a matter, he said, that should not be delayed, as a great deal of the future welfare of the city depends upon the wisdom and intelligent construction of the document. He wanted a charter without defect, one that they could go into court with and stand some show of winning a suit. Mr. Gray moved that a committee of three delegated with power to employ necessary counsel, be appointed to have a charter drafted. It was stated that District Attorney Hyde had made the subject a great deal of study lately. He had gone to the expense and trouble of procuring a great many works and authorities upon city charters and was able to draft a good one. He would willingly labor to accomplish the desired object. The motion presented by Mr. Gray was carried and the Mayor stated that he would call a special meeting of the Board as soon as the Committee was prepared to report. On motion the following committee on drafting a new charter was appointed: A. M. Cannon, Jas. N. Glover, and Dr. B. F. Burch.

Marshal Hyde reported that Mayor Glover had advanced $57.50 toward the street work recently completed, and that the Council should reimburse the gentleman. The matter was discussed at considerable length. Mr. Gray explained the reason of the large deficiency in the amount of assessment levied against property owners in order to meet the expense of the work. No mistake had been made by the Committee empowered to estimate the cost. After the assessment had been made and partially collected the cost had been increased by the employment of an extra man and a large amount of stone work. Property owners had been taxed 7.3 cents per foot, and it had been collected all but $90, and that sum was due from non-resident property owners. He objected to all of the road moneys being expended on highways out of town. Last year all of the money was used that way, and he thought some of it should be expended in the city this year. The receipts from individuals and property road tax amounts to some $1,600, and that sum, judiciously used, would do a vast amount of work on our avenues. Mr. Glover should be paid the money advanced out of the road funds. Mayor Glover was of the opinion, after explaining how he happened to advance the sum to the street contractor to pay help, that here was an opportunity to test the efficiency of the present charter. Some of the property owners assessed for this work had persistently refused to pay their pro rata share after several notifications and the city ought to proceed in accordance with the provisions bearing on that matter to collect the delinquencies by process of law. Dr. Burch moved that the City Attorney be instructed to commence action against delinquents. The motion was without a second and reached no further. Mr. Gray moved that the Marshal be instructed to pay over to Mr. Glover $167.60, the amount of the indebtedness, out of the road funds. In response to a motion of power the Mayor said that money could be appropriately appropriated from this special fund to pay a debt arising from street work. It was evident from the shortage that some error was made either in the assessment, or the estimates of cost. He supposed the right way to go at it would be to levy an extra assessment of a few cents per foot on the property, thereby making up deficiencies, but in that case it would be necessary to go to each property owner in person and explain the matter, even then it would create a discussion. Mr. Denber seconding Mr. Gray's motion it was carried.

Mayor Glover said that there were some $8,000 that would soon be in the hands of the treasurer, and that the increased receipts of the growing city would be such as to put it in a position to meet all bills promptly and enable it to enjoy a few of the luxuries of a city which it is now deprived of. On motion the council adjourned.