Spokane County, Washington - Chapter 17: Spokane City Government, 1900

Chapter 17: Spokane City Government

The city of Spokane Falls was incorporated by an act of the Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Washington during the session of 1 88 1 and approved November 29, 1881.

Article I. - Section i. Be it enacted by the Legislative Assemlilv of the Territorv of Washington. That the city of Spokan Falls shall be bounded as follows, to-wit : Commencing at the northwest corner of section 19, township 23 north, range 43 east: thence west 160 rods, to quarter p(.)st ; thence south 160 rods to center of section 25, township 25 north, range 42 east : thence east 480 rods, to i^outheast corner of the north half of section 19. township 25 mirth, range 43 east: thence east 80 rods: thence north 160 rods; thence east 80 rods, to southeast corner of southwest Cjuarter of section 17; thence north to and across Spokane ri\er. to a point 200 feet from high water mark, on said river: thence meandering said river in a westerly direction 200 feet from high water mark to the west line of section 18; thence south along said line to the jilace of beginning.

Sec. 2. The inhal)itants of the city of Spokan Falls, within the limits above described, shall be and they are hereby constituted a body politic and corporate in fact and in law by the name and style of the city of Spokan Falls, and by that name and style they and their successors shall be known in law, ha\'e perpetual succession, sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, defend and be defended in all courts of law and ecjuity and in all suits and actions whatsoever, may purcliase, acquire, receive and hold property,, real, personal and mixed, for the use of tiie city, may lease, sell and dispose of the same for the lienefit of the city may purchase, acquire, recei\-e and hold jjroperty, beyond the limits of the city to be used for burial pur])Oses, also for the establishment of hospitals for the reception of persons affected with contagious diseases, also for work-houses or houses of correction, also for the erection of water-works to supply the city with water, and may sell, lease or dispose of the same, for the benefit of the city, and they shall have and use a common seal and may alter and amend the same and make a new. one at pleasure.

Article IL - Section i. The government of said city shall be \-ested in a nia\-(ir and common council consisting of se\'en members who shall be elected by the (lualified \'oters of said city, and shall hokl their office until ten days after the next annual election and until their successors shall be elected and qualified.

See. 2. There shall be a city treasurer, city marshal and city clerk to be elected by the city council, with the approval of the mayor (the city treasurer may be one of the council) and who shall hold their offices during the pleasure of the council, and the council may appoint and dismiss at its pleasure such other officer and agents as may be deemed necessary. Provided, There shall be no officer appointed, under this section except those herein named, unless the office is established by ordinance.

Article III. - Of the Duties of Officers - Section I. It shall be the duty of the mayor to communicate to the council at least once a year and oftener if he shall deem it advisable, a general statement of the condition of the cit}', as to its finance, government and property, and to recommend the adoption of such means as he may think ad\isaljle to promote its interest and advance its prosperity; to lie vigilant and active in causing the laws and ordinances of the city to be enforced, to exercise a constant supervision over the conduct of all subordinate officers ; to receive and examine intoi all complaints which may be made or preferred u[)on oath against any of them for a violation or neglect of duty, and certify the same to the common council, who shall act upon the same; and if they find the complaint to lie true, and the cause sufficient, shall have the p(_)wer to declare the office of the person so complained against vacant, and the same shall be filled as hereinafter jiro- \'ided. The ma\'or shall generally perform all such duties as may be prescribed to him by the city charter and city ordinances and laws of the United States and this Territory.

5"c't-. 2. The common council shall appoint one of the justices of the peace in said city of Spokan Falls, whose duty shall be as follows : He shall ha\-e jurisdiction over all \-iolations of cit}- ordinances; hold to bail, confine or commit i^ersons found guilty of any xdolations thereof; he shall, as ex-(.)fficio assessor, within such time as shall be by orilinance provided, make out a*nd return to the common council a correct list of all the taxable property within the city limits, with the \aluation thereof, and in the name of the person liable to be taxed tiierefor. The mode of making out such list, .ascertaining the value of the property and collecting the taxes shall, as nearly as may be practicable, be the same as that prescribed by law for assessing and collecting Territorial and count}' taxes, and he shall as such assessor discharge such other duties as may by ordinance be prescribed. He shall attend the meetings of the common council and shall keep a correct journal of all proceedings thereof, .and shall generally do and perform such duties as may by ordinance be provided.

Sec. 3. The marshal shall attend upon the meetings of the city council, upon the justices' court, and execute and, return all mesne and final processes issued from the justices. He shall arrest all persons guilty of a breach of the peace and quiet of the city. He shall also discharge such other duties as may be by ordinance prescribed. He shall collect city taxes, lie may appoint as many deputies as he shall see lit, each appointment to be approved by the mayor.

Sec. 4. The city treasurer shall receise and carefully keep all moneys belonging to the city, and shall pay out the same only on warrants tluly authorized under the laws and ordinances of the city. He shall keep full and correct accounts of his receipts and disbursements, showing the source from which the money came, and the persons to whom it was l)aid, with reference to voucher upon which it was paid out, which vouchers he shall preserve. His accounts shall at all times be open to the inspection of the mayor and common C(juncil, or a committee thereof, who may also examine his books and vouchers and money. He shall, at the end of the fiscal year, and as much oftener as the council shall require, make out and present to the council a full and correct statement of the expenditures and receipts of the preceding year. He shall, also, perform such other duties as may by ordinance be prescribed.

Sec. 5. H' any person elected to, or holding, any city office shall without leave of the cinmcil, absent himself from the city for more than thirty days, or if he shall remove from the city, or shall fail to qualify within ten days after he shall have been elected, his ofifice shall be deemed \acant, and a resolution of the council declaring such ofifice vacant shall be final and conclusive.

and Filling of Vacancies. - Section i. A general election for all officers of this corporation, required by this act to be elected, shall be held on the first ^Monday in April in each year.

Sec. 3. It shall be the duty of the common council to order all subsequent elections, to designate the place or places of holding the same, to give at least ten days' notice thereof, and to appoint inspectors of elections arid clerks. The elections shall be conducted in the same manner that general elections are conducted in the Territory. If any inspector or clerk shall fail to attend, the electors present may choose another in his stead. The returns of all elections shall be made to the city clerk, who shall present them to the common council, at its regular meeting, after elections, which meeting shall be held on the second ^londay in April, when the vote shall be publicly examined, and the board of trustees shall declare the result, the city clerk shall thereupon give a certificate of election to the persons having a plurality of votes. In case of a tie between two persons, candidates for the same office, the choice shall be declared by the council by ^-ote.

Sec. 4. All vacancies shall be filled by the common council, by appointment. In case of a vacancy in the CDuncil, the member or members remaining, whether a qunrum or not, may fill the vacancy.

See. 5. Elections U)V city officers shall continue but one day and the polls shall be open frcm nine o'clock in the morning until four o'clock in the e\-ening. The polls may be closed at twehe until one o'clock at the option of the judges.

Article V. - Of Qualifications of Mayor and Councilmen and Organization of Council. Section 1. The mayor and common council, justice and marshal and all (jther officers -elected or appointed luider this act. shall be qualified within ten days after election or appointment, and shall enter upon the discharge of their duties. The term of offices of the mayor, recorder, marshal and councilmen to commence ten days after the election.

Sec. 2. The members of the common council elected under this act shall assemble ten days after their election and choose one of their number for a presiding officer. In case of the absence of the president they may elect a president pro tempore, who shall have the power and transact the duties of the president. They shall fix the time and place of holding their stated meetings and ma\- be convened by the mayor at any time. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but a smaller number may adjourn from time to time and compel the attendance of absent members in such manner and under such penalty as the council may have previously provided. They shall judge of the qualifications, elections and returns of their own members, and other officers elected or appointed under this act, and determine contested elections. They shall establish rules for their own proceedings, punish any member, or any other person, for disorderly conduct in their presence at any meeting of the council, and with two-thirds concurrence of all the members elect may, for good cause, expel a member. They shall keep a journal of their proceedings, and at the desire of any member shall cause the yeas and nays to be taken on any question anil entered on the journal, and all their proceedings shall be i)ublic.

Article M. - Of the General Power of the Mayor and Commcju Council. - Section 1. The mayc^r and common council shall have power within the cit\' : property made taxable by law for county and Territorial purposes. Provided, that if any persons at any time after the annual assessment shall commence the sale or barter of any wares or merchandise within said city such person shall be assessed and pay a tax mi saiil goods, wares and merchandise for the balance of the year after he shall so commence, proportioned to the amount levied or assessed for city purposes for the year. AntI, further pri)- vided. That no tax shall be levied on the value of articles, the growth and produce of the Territor\-, which are brought in such cit_\' and sold.

C). To erect water-works either within or be_\dn(l the city limits of the city, and to provide the city with water for extinguishing of hre anil the use of the inhabitants.

10. To appoint fire wardens and prescriiie their duties, ar.d to compel any person or persons present to aid in the extinguishing of fire or in the preservation of property exposed to danger in time of fire, and by ordinance to provide whatever other regulations may be necessary on such occasions.

12. To impose a fine, penalty or forfeiture for the breach of any ordinance: Pro- \ided. no line shall exceed one hundred dollars and no term of imprisonment shall e.xceed thirty days; Provided, Further: That in case of inability or refusal to pay a fine, one day's imi)risoninent ma_\- be im|)osed for each two dollars of the fine and costs: And, Provided further, That prisoners may be required to labor under such regulations and restrictions as ma)' by ordinance be prescribed.

14. To remove all obstructions from the streets, alleys, side and cross-walks, and to provide for the construction, repairing and cleaning of the same, as well as sewers, gutters, water-courses and underground drainage, and to require parties owning or occupying premises to remove obstructions from streets, alleys, side and cross walks, adjoining their property or premises occupied by them, and to levy a discriminating tax on persons or property particularly benefited by the construction or repair of streets, side and cross walks, sewers, gutters and drains, either with or without a general tax for general benefit of such work.

17. To appro])riate and provide for any item of city expenditure, and for the payment of the tiebts of the city: Provided: That when the city's indebtedness amounts to $1,500 no further debts shall he created except for the ortlinary current expenses of the city, and

18. To regulate the storage of gunpowder, saltpetre, pitch, tar, . resin, petroleum, kerosene and all other combustible material ; and the use of candles, lamps, fire or other lights in shops, stables or other dangerous places; to regulate, prevent, or remove, or secure, any fireplace, stovepipe, chimney, defective flue, oven, boiler or any other apparatus which may 1)6 dangerous in causing fire.

20. To pre\ent or restrain any riot, disturbance or disorderly assemblage, ov any indecent conduct in any street, house or place in the cit}'.

21. To provide for the collection and receix'ing, bv said city, of all road piill tax and all road property tax, whether payable in labor or cash, and the expending and using the same upon the roads and streets of the city, and for this purpose the city shall cmistitute one road district.

22. All moneys received for licenses or fines shall be paid into the city treasury and constitute a general municipal fund, including two-thirds of all county license for liquor, assessed or collected within the corporate limits of the said city of Spokan Falls.

23. The max'or and common council shall also haxe power by ordinance to license, regulate or prohibit bawdy or whore houses in the city, and shall have power to pass ordinances for the punishment of persons guilty of pul> licly using obscene language within the city.

SiX. 2. Any ordinance which shall have been passed by the common council shall, before it becomes valid, be presented to the mayor for his appro\-al. If he ai)proves it he shall sign it, if not he shall return it with his olijection in writing to the council. wli<i shall cause the same to be entered on their journal. They shall then consider the same. If, on .such reconsideration, four members of the council shall vote for the same, it shall become an ordinance. In all such cases the yeas and nays shall be taken and entered on the journal. If the mav'or shall fail to return an ordinance within se\en days after it has been presented to him for his ajiprov-al, it shall become effective as if the mayi.ir had signed it.

.St'c". 3. All demands against the city shall be audited by the council and shall Ije paid l;)y the treasurer on the warrant of the president of the coiuicil. countersigned by the ma\'or.

Sec. 4. 1 he president of the council shall e.xercise the duties of the mayor whenever said oftice shall lie vacant, or the mayor be absent frcnn the city, or for any cause unable to attend to the duties of his office.

Article \TI. - Of Salaries of Officers. - Section 1. Neither the mayor or members of the council shall receive any salary for their services. The justice shall receive the same fees for his services as are prescribed by law for similar services, but no part of the same shall he paid by the city.

Sec. 2. All other officers provided for in this act. or to be created, shall receive such compensation as shall be provided for by ordinance.

Article \'III. - ]\Iiscellaneous Provisions. - Section 1. Upon the passage of all ordinances the yeas and nays shall be called and entered on the journal.

Sec. 3. The mayor may at any time call a special session of the common council by proclamation or special notice to the councilmen. and he shall state to them, when they are asseml)led, the cause for which they are convened.

-enfl (^n the last day of February of each year, and the city council shall, at least one week before the annual election, cause to be published a full and complete detailed statement of all money received and expended by the corporation during the [jreceding" _\x'ar. and t)n what acomnt expended, classifying each reiceipt antl expenditure under its appropriate diead.

The Legislature of 1883 passed "An Act til amend an Act to incorporate the city of Spokane Falls." This act extended to the city limits, making it two miles square and dividing it into four wards. All east of Howard .street and south of Riversitle was in the first ward: all north of Riverside avenue anil east of Howard in second ward : all west of Howard and north iif Rix'erside in the third ward, and all west of Howard and south of Ri\erside in fourth ward. The time of election was changed fri)m the first Monday in April to the first Tuesday in April, treasurer, attorney, marshal and clerk to be elected by vote of the people. The mayor was made the presiding officer of the council, functions and duties of city officials defined more in detail. The charter of 1883 was amended by the Legislature of 1886. As all the important features

The present ciiarter was framed and submitted by the board of fifteen freeholders, elected September 2^, 1890, in pursuance of the provisions of Section 10, Article 11, of the Constitution of the State of Washington, the acts of the Legislature and an ordinance numbered 493, passed and approved September 8, 1890, was approved by tlie people at an election held March 24, 1891, and was attested and went into effect April 4, 1891. It has been amended from time to time.

The corporate limits of the city of Spokane shall be bounded as follows : Commencing at the northeast corner of the southeast cjuarter of section 3, township 25 north, range 43 east, W. M. ; thence west to the northwest corner of the s(nitheast (juarter of section 2, township 25 north, range 42 ; thence south to the southwest corner of the southeast quarter of .section 26, township 25 north, range 42 ; thence east to the southeast corner of section 28, township 25 north, range 43 : thence north to the place of beginning: and shall include within its corporate limits the following described lands and territory: South half section 4, south half section 5, south lialf section 6, sections 7, 8, 9, 16. 17, 18, 19, 20, 21. 28, 29 and 30, in township 25 north of range 43 east, W. AL, and south half section i, southeast quarter section 2, east half section 11, section 12, section 13, east half section 14, east half section 23, east half section 26, section 24, section 25, in township 25 north, range 42 east, W. ^L, together uith such other territory, if any. heretofore or

First Ward - The first ward shall include all that part of the city within the following boundaries: Commencing at the southeast corner of the corporate limits of the city ; thence north along the east line of the city limits to the north bank of the Spokane river ; thence west along the north bank <if the Spokane river to the center line of Division street; thence south along the center line of Division street to the south line of the city limits; thence east along the south line of the city limits to the place of beginning.

Second Ward - 1 he second ward shall include all that part of the city within the following boundaries : Commencing at the center line of Division street, on the north bank of the Spokane river ; thence west along the n(jrth l)ank iif the Spokane rix'er to the center line of ]\Ionroe street; thence south along the center line of Monroe street to the center line of Nintb avenue ; thence west on the center line of Ninth avenue to the center line of Madison street ; thence south cjn the center line of Madison street to the south line of the city limits; thence east on the south line of the city linnts t'j the center line of L)i\ision street; thence north along the center line of Division street to point of beginning.

Third Ward - The third ward shall include iill that part of the city within the following boundaries : Commencing at the center line of j\h:)nroe street, on the north bank of the Spokane ri\-er; thence westerly along the northern laank of the Spokane river to the center line of section 14, township 25, range 42; thence west on the said section line to the center of said section 14, being the west limit of said city ; thence south along said west line of said city limits to the southwest corner of said city limits ; thence east along the south line of said city limits to the center of Madison street: thence north along the center line of Madison street to the center line of Ninth avenue; thence east of the center line of Ninth avenue to the center line of Monroe street; thence north on the center line of Alonroe street to the point of beginning.

Fourth Ward - The fourth ward shall include all that part of the city within the following boundaries : Commencing at the northwest corner of the city limits; thence east along the north line of the city limits to the center of Mill street projected; thence along the center of Mill street projected and Mill street to the north bank of the Spokane ri\er: thence westerly al(jng the north bank of the Spokane rixxr to the center line of section 14. township 25, range 42; thence west to the center of section 14; thence north to the point of 'beginning.

Fifth Ward - The fifth ward shall include all the territory embraced within the city limits ]\-ing north of the north l)ank of the Spokane river and east of the center of Mill street and Mill street projected.

Election Precincts

First Ward : Adams Precinct - Commencing at north bank of Spokane river, at easterly city limits, thence south to Third avenue, thence on Third avenue to Hatch, thence north on Hatch to north bank of Spokane river, thence along the north bank of the river to the place of beginning.

Allen Precinct - Commencing at intersection of Third avenue, and easterly city limits, thence south to the southeast corner of section 2S, township 25 north, range 43 east, W. M., tlience west along southern city limits to its intersection with Hatch, thence north on Hatch to its intersection with Third avenue, thence east on Third to place of beginning.

on Hatch to tht south city limits, thence west on south city Hmits to its intersection with Division, thence north on Division to Third avenue, thence east on Third avenue to place of beginning.

Alki Precinct - Commencing at intersection of Third avenue and Hatch, thence north on Hatch to north bank of Spokane river, thence westerly along bank of river to Division, thence south on Division to Third avenue, thence east on Third avenue to place of beginning.

Second JVard: Brickell Precinct - Commencing at intersection of Front avenue and Division street, thence north on Division to north bank of Spokane river, thence westerly on bank of Spokane river to iMonroe street, thence south on Monroe to the intersection of Front avenue, thence east on Front avenue to place of beginning.

Burke Precinct - Commencing at intersection of Front avenue and Division, thence south on Division to main line of the Northern Pacific Railway, thence westerly on the line of said road to the intersection of Washington street, thence north on Washington to Front avenue, thence east on Front avenue to placeof beginning.

Browne Precinct - Commencing at intersection of Front avenue and Wasliington, thence south on Washington to the main line of the Northern Pacific Railway, thence westerly on said line to its intersection with ISIill, thence north on Mill to Front avenue, thence east on Front avenue to place of beginning.

Butler Precinct - Commencing at intersection of Front avenue and Mill, thence south on Mill to main line of Northern Pacific Railway, thence west on said line to Monroe, thence north on Monroe to Front avenue, thence east on Front aveiuie to place of beginning.

Bernard Precinct - Commencing at intersection of Division street and Main line of. Northern Pacific Railway, thence south on Division to Third avenue, thence west on Third

Beacon Precinct - Commencing at intersection of center line of Mill and center line of Riverside avenue, thence south along the center line of Mill to the main track of the Northern Pacific Railway, thence west along the main track of Northern Pacific Railway to center line of Monroe, thence north along the center line of Monroe to the center line of Riverside avenue; thence east along the center line of Riverside avenue to the place of beginning.

Blake Precinct - Commencing at the intersection of the center line of Riverside avenue and the center line of Stevens, thence south along the center line of Stevens to main track of Northern Pacific Railway, thence west along i.nain track of said railway to center line of Mill, thence north along center line of Alill ta center line of Riverside avenue, thence east a'ong center line of Riverside avenue to place of beginning.

Blaine Precinct - Commencing at intersection of Third a\enue and Division, thence south on Division to Fifth avenue, thence west on Fifth avenue to Monroe, thence north on Monroe to Third avenue, thence east on Third avenue to place of beginning.

Belmont Precinct - Commencing at intersection of Fifth avenue and Division, thence south on Division to south city limits, thence west on soutli city limits to Madison, thence north on Madison to Ninth avenue, thence east on Ninth avenue to Monroe, thence north on Monroe to Fifth avenue, thence east on Fifth avenue to place of beginning.

Cannon Precinct - Commencing at intersection of Fifth avenue and ]\h)nroe, tlience west on Fifth avenue to Chestnut, thence north on Chestnut to Pacific avenue, thence east on Pacific avenue and main line of Northern Pacific Railway to ]\Ionroe, thence south on Alonroe to place of beginning.

Carlton Precinct - Commencing at intersection of Monroe and main line of Northern Pacific Railway, thence west on said main line and Pacific avenue to Chestnut, thence north on Chestnut to north bank of Spokane ri\-er, thence easterly on north bank of river to Monroe, thence south on Monroe to place of beginning.

Cass Precinct - Commencing at intersection of Chestnut and north bank of Spokane river, thence south on Chestnut to Fifth avenue, thence east on Fifth avenue to main line of Northern Pacific Railway, thence southerly on said main line to south city limits, thence west on S'luth city limits to southwest corner of the southeast quarter of section 26, townsiiip 25 north, range 42 east, \Y. M., thence north on west city limits to northeast corner on southeast quarter (.)f section 14. township 25 north, range 43 east, W. AI., thence east on said half section line to north bank of Spokane river, thence easterly to place of beginning.

Carlisle Precinct - Commencing at intersection of the center line of Pacific avenue and ^laple, thence south along the center line of Maple to center line of Fifth avenue, thence west along the center line of Fifth avenue to main track of Northern Pacific Railway, thence southerly along said main track to the east and west half section line of section 24, township 25, range 42, thence west on said line to the extended center line of Cceur d'Alene, thence northerly along the extended center line of the Cceur d'Alene, and the center of Geur dWlene to the center line of Pacific avenue, thence easf along the center line of Pacific avenue to place of beginning.

Clay Precinct - Commencing on the center line of Ab.)nroe at the north bank of Spokane river, thence along the center line of Monroe to center line of Riverside avenue, thence westerly along center line of Riverside avenue to where the said center line of Riverside avenue intersects the section line between sections 13 and 24. township 2^. range 43 east, thence west along said section line to city limits, thence north on said city limits to half section line of section 14, townshi]) 25 north, range 42 east, thence east on said half section line to north bank of Sjjokane river, thence southerly and easterly on north bank of Spokane ri\-er to place of beginning.

foi'rth. Ward: Douglas Precinct - Commencing at intersection of Cedar and north bank of Spokane river, thence north on Cedar to Boone avenue, thence west on Boone avenue to abandoned track of Spokane Cable Railway, thence along said track to west city limits, thence south on west city limits to the half section line of section 14, townshiij 25 north, range 42 east, W. M., thence east on said half section line to north bank of Spokane river, thence easterly to place of beginning.

Damon Precinct - Commencing at intersection of Cedar and north bank of Spokane river, thence north on Cedar to Sharp avenue, thence east on Sharj) avenue to Mill, thence south on Mill to north bank of Spokane river. thence westerly to place of beginning.

Delaware Precinct - Commencing at' intersection on Mill and Sharp avenue, thence north on Mill to north city limits, thence west on north city limits to west city limits, thence south on west city limits to intersection of abandoned track of Spokane Cable Railway, thence southeasterly on said track to intersection with Boone avenue, thence east on Boone avenue to Cedar, thence north on Cedar ti> Boone avenue, thence east on Sharp avenue to place of beginning.

bank of Spokane ri\'er. thence north on Mill to north city limits, thence east on north city limits to west line of section 4. township J5 north, range 43 east. W. M., thence sonth on said line to south line of section 5, township 25 north, range 43, thence west on said line to its intersection with Division, thence south on Division to north bank of Spokane river, thence west along north bank of river to place of beginning".

Eureka Precinct - Commencing at intersection of Division and north bank of Spokane river, thence north on Division to south line of section 5. township 25 north, range 43 east. W. ]N[.. thence east on said line to north and south line between sections 4 and 5, then n<jrth on said line to north city limits, thence east on north city limits to east city limits, thence south on east city limits to north l)ank of Spokane river, thence in a westerly direction along said north bank to place of beginning.

Two councilmen shall be elected in each ward. The corporation counsel, the city commissioners and such other officers now existing and such other officers as may be necessary to fill any office hereafter created, to carry out the provisions of this charter, shall be appointed b\- the mayor, subject to confirmation by the city council

The appointment of all other officers not herein specified shall lie made by the mayor subject to confirmation by the city council. The corporation counsel shall hold office for the term of two years.

The municipal election shall be held on the first Tuesday in INIay in the year 1897, and on the first Tuesday in ]\Iay of every alternate vear thereafter. Sjiecial elections shall be held at such time and for such purpose as the city council may by ordinance prescribe. At least fifteen days' notice shall be given of the time, place and purpose 'of any special election in such manner as shall be prescribed bv the ordinance ordering the same.

The mayor shall be the chief executive officer of the city, but shall not be entitled to \ote nor to participate in the deliberations of the city council.

The city council shall consist of ten members. No person shall be eligible to the office of councilman unless he is an elector of the ward in which he is elected and a freeholder in the city, and shall have been such freeholder at least one vear next preceding his election, and shall ha\e Iieen a resident of the territory comprising the city for two years next preceding his election.

The five councilmen elected at the annual election held in the year 1895. shall each hold his office for the term of two years, beginning on the loth day after the first Tuesday in May, .\. D. 1896. and thereafter at each biennial election two councilmen shall be elected in each ward, five of said councilmen, one from each ward, shall take their seats ten days after said election, and five of said councilmen. one from each ward, shall take their seats ten days after the first Tuesday in May of the year following their election, and the ballots shall designate the term for which each councilman is electetl, and the time that each councilman so elected shall take his seat.

The city council shall elect one of its members president thereof, who shall perform the duties usual to a presiding officer and shall b.ave the same right to vote and participate

The law department of the city of Spokane shall consist of a corporation counsel, who shall be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council, and shall hold office for the term of one year, and until his successor is duly elected and qualified.

There shall be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by three-fifths of all the members of the council, three freeholders and electors of the city, who shall be designated as the "city commissioners." Said commissioners shall constitute and act as a board of public works, as a board of police and as a board of fire commissioners, and as such shall have the authority and perform the duties prescribed and imposed in this charter upon the respective boards, public works, police, fire commissioners, secretary and building inspector.

The following named officers shall receive a.9 full compensation for all services of every kind, rendered by them, the following salaries, payable in city warrants at the end of each calendar month :

Each councilman six hundred dollars ($600) per annum, provided, that ten dollars ($10.00) shall be deducted from the salary of any member for each failure to attend a regular meeting of the council, unless excused from such attendance.

appearance fees collected by the corporation counsel, in any case wherein an appearance fee is taxed and al-lowed to the city, shall be paid into the city treasury for the use of the city.

All other officers of the city, except as provided in this charter, shall receive as compensation for all services rendered by them, of every kind, such amounts as may be fixed by ordinance.

The following were the fifteen freeholders elected on the 27th day of September, 1890, to prepare the city charter: Albert Allen, F. A. Bettis, A. M. Cannon, Janies Glispin.. J. N. Glover, H. E. Houghton, D. P. Jenkins, I. S. Kaufman. G. H. Leonard, R. Russell,, C. R. Burns, E. J. Webster, :\. Munter. James- Monaghan and F. H. Mason.

The special election for the submission of the charter to the (lualified electors was held March 24. 1801. and the result of said election was found to Ije as follows: For said proposed charter, 2.045 votes; against said proposed charter. 312 votes; majority for said' proposed charter. 1.733 votes. The vote on the separate article to change the name from Spokane Falls to Spokane was as follows: for, 1. 1 29 votes; against, 513 votes; majority for Spokane, 616 votes.

Elections And Officers

cil ; A. M. Cannon, treasurer : J. S. Gray, clerk. At the first election, on the first Monday in .\pril. 1882. the persons above mentioned were elected to the same oflices, with the exception of A. M. Cannon. S. T. Arthur was elected hut soon moved to Missoula, and Mr. Cannon was appointed to fill his place.

The records of the council of Spokane Falls as found in the city clerk's office begin April 7, 1884. Mayor, J. N. Gk)ver; councilmen, 1st ward, R. W. Forrest, S. G. Havermale: Jud ward, Peter Dueber, W. L. Turner; 3rd ward, Simon Berg, John N. S(|uiers : 4th ward, George T. Crane, A. M. Cannon ; city attorney, Millard T. Hartson ; city clerk, Charles E. Crettin.

During the year ]\Ir. Crane resigned and George M. Forster was elected his successor at a special election. The Ijonds were fi.xed as follows for city officers: treasurer, $7,500; marshal. $2,000; mayor. $3,000.

Ordinances submitted : An ordinance drafted b_\- the city attorney to jirovide a police fiirce, gi\'ing the mayor authority to ap- ])oint twc:i p(ilicemen at a salary of $65 per month. Carried.

.\ ciiniinittee was a])pointed to confer with the board of trade about occupying their room for council meetings. They were held in Glover' building on Howard and Front.

At the election, April 8, 1885, the following were elected: Mayor. A. M. Camion; clerk, J. C. Haiina: marshal, James Glispin; treasurer, W. A. Kinney: attorney, H. K. Houghton, .\ldermen : First ward, Henry Brook: Second ward, E. B. Hyde; Third ward, B. R. \\'estfall, Sam Wilson; Fourth ward, J. N. Bishop.

Councilman B. R. \\'estfall, father of L. L. \\'estfall, introduced a resolution to purchase the controlling interest in the water power 1)y bonding the city for two hundred thousand dollars, remarking in his sjieech that if they did so they could build a city reaching from Cooks hill to the south to "Old Baldy," Mr. W'estfall resided then on Monroe street near Mallon a\eniie. He soon moved east and died, but his prophecy is being verified.

.Kt the same election 795 voted for the construction, erection and maintenance of waterworks. At a special election on October 5. Jacob Hoover was elected as alderman from the First ward. Mr. J. C. Hanna met his death through an accident that occurred to the steamship Spokane on the Coeur d' Alene river. John F. Figgot filled the unexpired term as city clerk. In March, 1886, Wendell Hall was made city surveyor. In .\pril, 1886, G. B. Dennis and C. F. Clough were elected councilmen.

The I. -K

Rose yi. Denny was made stenographer for the cit}- clerk and has continued to the present time. Before the close of the year W. W. D. Turner succeeded H. E. Hough.tnn as corporation counsel.

At the election. May, 1893, the following officers were chosen : Mayor, E. E. Powell ; comptroller. H. W. Tyler; treasurer. J. H. Eardley ; assessor. L. K. Boisenault ; councilmen : J. F. Spiger, Eugene Bertrand. J. C. Byrcl. O. G. Cooper, \\'alter France. D. H. Dwight was elected president; William Morse, clerk ; Mrs. Rose M. Denny, stenographer. Appointments; commissioner. Frank Kizer: engineer. J. W. Strack; corporation counsel, Frank T. Post; judge of municipal court. E. J. Fellowes ; chief of police. Peter Mertz ; chief of fire department, F. B. Winebrenner; superintendent of streets, John Kitto ; superintendent of waterworks. F. P. Weymouth ; engineer. J. W. Strack; health officer. (]. T. Doolittle.

ident board of fire commissioners, Frank Kizer. Councilmen : President of the council, J. F. Spig'er; First ward. Lewis 'rhom])siin. J. F. Spiger; Second ward. R. S. Oakley: E. Bertrand ; Third ward, J. M. Conistock : J. C. Byrd; Fourth ward, (). II. Anger. (). (i. Cooper: Fifth ward, J. A. Long. Walter France.

The following are the city officials for 1899-1900: Mayor, J. M. Comstock: comptroller, Victor M. Smith ; treasurer, J. J. j White ; city clerk, L. F. Boyd ; official stenographer, Mrs. Rose ^L Denny; corporation counsel, A. G. Avery; police justice. H. L. Kennan; chief of police, W. W. Witherspoon; chief of fire de])artment, .\. II. Myers: city engineer, Otto .\. Weile; health officer. Dr. W. W. Potter. City Commissioners : President board of commissioners. W. K. Holmes; president board of public works and superintendent of uater works I-". P. Weymouth; president board of police commissicjners. street commissioner and building inspector, W .K. Holmes;, president board of fire commissioners, purchasing agent and secretary of commissioners, Robert E. Clark. Weymouth will serve one year from May, 1899; Holmes two years, and Clark three years. Deputies and assistants;. Deputy comptroller. R. B. Glass ; deputy treasurer, Thomas H. Jones, Jr.; deputy city clerk, Mrs. Rose .\1. Denn\-; assistant corporation counsel. V. M. Dudley; assistant corporation counsel, T. D. Rockwell ; assistant corporation comisel (stenographer). James O. Cull; assistant city engineer. E. L. Gerrish ; registrar water office. Iv J. I'ellowes; assistant registnir water office. II. C. Lynde: cliief engineer water works. R. E. Melline; engineer city hall and boiler inspector. Charles J. Vedder; clerk of police court, Fred S. Kom; stent)grapher

Police Department

During the early history of the city the duty ol preserving" peace and order was thrown upon the marshal. Mr. E. B. Hyde proved himself an efticient officer in that capacity.

The amended charter provided for a chief of police, to he elected hy the people, and the first elected one was Joel F. Warren. He was followed hy JM. (j. Harhord. Under the new charter the office of chief of police became an appointive one, and the first one to fill it under the new regime \\'as Peter Mertz.

Two of said policemen shall act as jailers, one dinging the night and one during the day, and shall he required to he on duty twelve hours, and in addition to their duties as jailers shall also perform the duties now done by sergeants of police : the chief of police and captain of police shall be ref|uired to work twelve liours as a day's work, and must render to the jailers such assistance as may be needed to enable said jailers to discharge their duties; the chief of police shall also perform tlie duties now performed by the license inspector; provided, the board of police shall have power to appoint three regular specials to take the ])lace of policemen who may be absent and to act in cases when it is necessary to have an extra policeman, said regular specials to be paid only for actual time employed.

.\s earlv as 1884 a local company undertook to put in a Holly water system. But lack of funds brought the enterprise to a standstill after the pipes were on the ground. In the emergency a number of enterprising and generous citizens came to the rescue and guaranteed the necessary means to complete the work, which was done. The Echo Mill supplied the power. In the following spring the plant was purchased by the city, and those who had advanced money to complete the system were re- imbiirsed. The Echo Mill continued to supply the power until the "great fire." After that the pumping house on Cannon Island was built and continued to supply the power until the present water system came into operation.

Section I. That a department is hereby created for the purpose of the management of the water works of the city, and all matters appertaining thereto, to be called the Water Department of the City of Spokane Falls.

Sec. 2. The officers and employees of said department shall consist of a superintendent of the water department, an engineer, and two assistant engineers of the water works, a register .and collector of water rates, and such other employees as may be necessary for the efficient working of the said department; which said employees shall be provided for as the necessity therefor may arise, by a resolution or ordinance of the city council.

Sec. 3. The superintendent of the water -department shall ha\-e full charge, subject to the orders of the city council, of the entire con- .structed water system of the city, and shall have control and direction of the ofiicers and employees herein provided for.

Spokane can boast of a first-class water ' system of its own, which has cost nearly a million dollars. The supply is taken from the Spokane river at a point three miles above the city. The source of the ri\-er is Lake Coeur d'Alene, which is fed liy melting snow on the mountains and innumerable springs. The water is clear, pure and almost free from lime. The macliinery and puiups are operated by water ptiwer of large capacity. In order to secure a sufficient head of water, a dam with massive abutments of granite was constructed. The power created is four thousand eight hundred horse-jjower. F(.iur high pressure punijjs are used with, a capacity of fourteen and a lialf million gallons per day. There are fiftv miles of water mains laid, the largest being twenty-four inches, and the smallest six inches. The hvdrants number four hundred and forty, and are of the most improved pattern. The present system was completed March i, 1896, and has been constantly extended from that time til the present with corresponding increase of receipts. In 1899 an additional twenty-fouriuch force main was laid from the pumping station to a connection with the distributing system on the nortii side of the river, with such arrangement of cross connection and valves at pumi)ing station that all the pumps can be discharged into either main providing a break siiould occur, practically duplicating the system. Mr. V. P. Weymouth is the president of the board of iniblic works, which makes him superintendent of water works. He has filled the position since 1889. e.xcepting the years 1895-6. There are three men in charge of the pumjMng station, three in the office and one outside called lineman.

"Reckoned on the price charged at Portland, or what the city would have to pay if the plant were owned hy private parties, the water used for municipal purposes would cost the city $25,000,'" said Mr. Weymouth.

A large part of the revenue from the water department has been used in extending the water system about the city. All of the money thus expended will result in increased revenues each year. More than nine miles of new pipe were laid during 1899 at a cost of $83,445.14. The size of the pipe laid was as follows :

The interest paid by the city for the year 1899 on the $350,000 issue of water works bonds amounted to $20,250. And in addition, a $9,000 ]:)ayment was made on the principal. Each year the payment on the principal will be ir.creased $1,000 and the interest will be decreased in the same proportion, $10,000 having been paid within the last two (jr three weeks as the January payment. The principal has now been reduced to $323,000.

The cost of the pumping station up the river was placed at $888,000 in the inventory last June. The plant is not mortgaged except in an indirect way. The city has pledged the revenues to be derived therefrom to pay the interest and principal on the $350,000 "Frost"' issue of warrants, agreeing not to reduce the gross receipts from that department until all the principal and interest shall have been fully paid.

On the two earlier water bonrl issues, aggregating $570,000, the interest is being met annually by general taxation and is paid from the "interest on bonds" fund. The principal of the $70,000 issue will have to be met in 1908. The principal of the $500,000 issue will have to be met in 191 1. Provision will be made in two or three years for a sinking fund to meet the principal of these and other general bond issues.

Fire Dep.Vrt.Mext

The first one was voluntary and unpaid. As early as July, 1884. a meeting was called for the purpose of devising some m.eans whereby fire apparatus could be obtained for the city. A committee was appointed to ascertain the number of hydrants required in the city. The committee was also requested to inquire reo-arding terms for furnishing hose, fire-plugs.

and hose carts. On October i, 1884, took place the first reading of an ordinance amending an ordinance creating a fire department for the City of Spokane Falls. Rescue Hose No. i and Spokane Hose No. 2 were accepted and made a part of the fire department of the City of Spokane Falls. On June 10, 1885, F. M. Dallam was appointed by the mayor chief engineer of the Spokane Falls fire department, and was confirmed by the council.

Section 2. The officers of said department shall consist of one chief of the fire department and one assistant chief of the fire department, who may be selected from among the eiuployecs of the department, and in such case he shall remain on duty the same as an employee of the department. The department shall have such other officers as may from time to time be provided by ordinance. The chief of the fire department shall be the executi\-c officer of the fire department. He shall devote his exclusive attention to its interests and sliall engage in no other business.

Scctiiiii 3. The eiu]>loyees of said department shall consist of one chief of the fire department, one assistant chief of the fire department, four captains five foremen, three engineers, three stokers, tweh'e drivers, ten hosewen. five truckmen and one electrician, who shall remain on duty at all times both day and night, suljject to the orders of the chief of tlie fire department, and who shall sleep at the engine and hose houses (;f the department. Other and further employees may be provided for from time to time by ordinance.

Section 4. It shall be the duty of the board of fire coiuniissioners to assign the eni])lovecs to duty with tlie \'arious engines, hose carts and hook and ladder trucks belonging to the city, and he shall keep a book in which shall be entered the name of each officer and employee, the date and character of his employment, his nationality, age at the time of his employment, whether married or unmarried, and in case of his discharge or discontinuance in service, date and cause thereof. He shall also keep an entry in said book of the duty to which each employee is assigned.

The department at present is well equipped and thoroughly efficient and growing more and" more so year by year. It operates a telegrai)h and telephone fire alarm system from forty-two boxes. It has twelve thousand feet of hose, twenty-nine horses and harnesses.

Rolling stock. - One second-class Silsby steam fire engine; two third-class Silsby steam fire engines ; one service truck ; one Prescott -Aerial turntable truck, .seventy-five feet ; one double eighty-gallon Champion chemical engine; one doul)le fifty-gallon Holloway chemical engine; three four-gallon combination chemical and hose ; two hose wagons ; two chief buggies ; one sujjply wagon ; one old hose in reserve.

The personnel of the fire department is as follows: Head(|uarters, Annex City Hall, northeast corner Howard and Front avenue. A. H. Myers, chief; John L. Phillips, assistant chief; .Albert F. Thielman, electrician; J. A. I'hillips, secretary.

In the selection of firemen an effort is made to ha\-e \'arious trades represented. There are on the force at present harness makers, wagonmakers, carpenters, blacksmiths, plumbers, painters, wheelwrights and engineers who are utilized as far as practicable. There are sixty-three men on the force. The cost of repairs for 1899 was $20,199.35. The charter provides for a "relief fund" connected with the department w herel>y the members contribute one dollar per month, to be held by the city treasurer. In case of sickness one dollar a day is paid with expenses of nurse and medicines; in accident, two dollars a day and cost of nurse and medicines, and at death, se\'enty-fi\-e dollars. All fines go into this fund and it has accumulated to o\er three thousand dollars.

Report Of Cttv Exgixeer

The city charter says: "The city council shall select and aiipoint a medical health officer, who shall be a legally (|ualified physician, possessed of the requisite knowledge of sanitary science, aufl of preventati\e medicine, to look after and superintend all matters pertaining to the health of the city, and who shall be known and styled the health officer, and shall have and exercise such power and ])erform such duties as shall l.)e prescril)ed b_\' the ordinances of the city."

The first health officer was Dr. A. S. Camijl^ell. who died in this city over a decade ago. Subse(|uenlly the jjosition was filled successively by Drs. Van Zandt, C. M. Rawlins. J. D. McLean. G. T. Doolittle. The present incumbent, being in office since 1893, is Dr. \\^ W. Potter. The department has improved in efficiency from year to year. The board consists of the following officers : Thomas -L. Catterson, IM. D., president: Charles S. Kalb. ^I. D.. Benjamin R. Freeman. i\I. D., Wallace W. Potter. Isl. D.. secretary; health officer. Wallace W. Potter; sanitary police. George H. Heberling, Edwin B. Hopkinson ; pluml)ing inspector, Edward Riley; bacteriologist, Harry S. Martin, M. D. ; chemist, Edgar B. Van Osdel. A. M.

The last report was the seventh annual one printed, presenting the actual mortality, with enumeration of causes, annual rate per one thousand, sanitary inspection, report of plumbing inspector.

Considering that Spokane is situated within a short distance of the Canadian line (latitude forty-seven degrees, forty minutes north) at an ele\'ation of one thousand nine hundred and furty-three feet, and near the great Rockies, it has indeed a pleasant climate. To look at the annexed tallies giving temperature extremes one would think it a cold and disagreeable climate to live in. Not so. It is, on the other hand, a climate which has the seasons pretty well defined, where the extremes of both summer and wiiUer are endured wiih less incon\-enience antl suffering than climates where the temperature extremes are not so widely separated. The mean annual tem])erature of Spokane is forty-eight degrees. In tracing the isotherm of forty-eight degrees across the continent it passes through the following places; from Spokane south through Boise City. Idaho ; Montrose. Colorado and Denver. Colorado; through North Platte. Nebraska ; Des Moines. Iowa ; Chicago, Ilinois'; Kalamazoo and Detroit. Michigan; Ashtabula. Ohio, and on to the Atlantic, passing through Boston. Thus it

The winter temperatures in Spokane have, with the e.xception of the winter of 1895-96, gone below zero. During a great cold wave that passed o\er the Pacific northwest in January, 1888. the thermometer registered thirty degrees below zero. This was a phenomenal storm. Low temperature registered everywhere within range of the storm, as it swept all past records before it. In California the observers reporteil it the coldest in the memory of tile oldest settlers. There is a dryness of the atmosphere whicli robs the low temperatures of their horrors. When the thermometer sinks below the freezing point it is noticed how cris]) ami pleasant the air is. In summer the temjierature seldom reaches the hundred mark, but there are three years in which it has registered one hundred and two degrees, and but five years out of the sixteen since the weather bureau was established when it reached one hundred. With an altitude such as Spokane has. this temperature cannot amount to much, and even if the thermometer should register one hundred degrees, being a dry atmosphere, the heat is not felt. The temperature that is felt is that called by the weather bureau "sensible temperature." i. e., the temperature of the wet thermometer, or a thermometer which has the bulb covered with muslin, and having been wetted, is allowed to cool as much as possible by evaporation. On some of the hottest days, when the temjierature reaches the hundred mark, the sensible temperature would only be sixty to seventy-two degrees. Following these warm waves the nights are cool, and refreshing sleep, something unknown under eastern skies, is possible under a blanket, .\nother feature of the climate is the absence of sudden ami decided falls in temperature. The variability of temperature - that is, the average difference in mean temjierature from one dav to an-

The evenness of the winter temperature is noteworthy. In Decemher and January the mean daily average ( axerage tlifference between the highest and lowest) is hut ten degrees, while for long periods, say for a week or ten days, there is scarcely enough difference to give decided maximum or minimum for the day. An instance of this was noted recently, when ivnm Decemher 14 to 20 the greatest difference was only nine degrees, while the greatest difference for the first twenty-one days of the UKinth was eighteen degrees. These are winter figures, when persons subject to rheumatism, pneunnjuia. etc., would be seriously affected by sudden or marked changes.

The march of the seasons is well defineil. When spring comes winter can be bade adieu ; from spring to summer is a mild step, and from thence on to autumn and winter the change is moderate and ])ermanent - n(jt a cold wax'e to-day and a hot one to-morrow.

The most noticeable change in temperature is characteristic of this entire region, that of the "Chinook" wind: and fortunately it is always a change for warmer weather coming in the winter .season. In the coldest winter months, when the ground is covered with deep snow in jjlaces. a "Chinook" visits us. and before we realize it, all the snow has melted and gone. The strangest feature of the Chinook is the comparative absence of water from the melting snow. This peculiar wind seems to h.ave the i)ower of carrying the water as it goes.

The pre\ailing winds in this section are those from the southwest <|uadrant. bringing to us as the}' do the modifying air from the ocean which tempers the rigors of winter and the heat of summer. There is an absolute al)sence of cyclones and tornadoes. With a record extending back to the winter of 1880- 81. there has never been a wind of greater velocity in Spokane than f(jrty-eight miles jjcr hour, or what might be called a "fresh gale."' There are few points in the United States with a similar altitude and si_) low maximum wind \elocity as S])okane. Days and weeks frequently pass with a velocity of not o\er five or six miles per hour, and the average hourly velocit}' for the past sixteen years is only four and nine-tenths miles.

The most valual)le feature of Spokane climate is the equal distribution of preci])itation throughout the year. There is an entire absence of "wet seasons" and "dry seasons" in this section. The greater portion of the ])reci])itation falls, of course, in the winter months. .And there is but one month in the past sixteen \'ears when rain has not fallen in .Sjxikane.

This distribution of moisture throughout the ve.ar is extremelv \alualjle. irrigation being unnecessarv : no "wet" ov "dry" seas(.)n to contend with, or consider when looking forward to a season's yield. In wmter snow falls in varving de])ths. .\t times there is \-ery little or none on the ground. During December there was no snow in sight, except on the far dkstant mountain summit, a "Chinook" hav-- ing carried it away.