USA > Washington > Spokane County > An illustrated history of Spokane county, state of Washington > Part 14
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When its age is considered and the obstacles it had to overcome it is a marvel of pluck and enterprise. It has adapted itself marvellously to present conditions. The enduring character of the buildings and public institutions is an evidence of the energy and enterprise of its citizens. Spokane has more railroads than any city west of Denver. It is the distributing cen- ter for the Inland Empire. It is equipped with all the features of a great metropolis, with large and massive buildings and business blocks, paved streets, extensive municipal water and sewer system, electric arc lights, gas, street railways, public parks, schools, churches. com- mercial colleges and theaters. The most im- portant improvement going on at this time is the grading and laying of tracks through the center of the city, and the building of bridges by the Great Northern Railroad Company.
PRIZE POEM ON SPOKANE RIVER.
O, beautiful river, sweep into the west, With the shadow of hemlock and fir on thy breast; With the glint of the green in thy cool, crystal wave, Thou has stolen from hills that thy swift waters lave.
In the lake hill-encircled, thy rushing rills meet, Down, down from the heights come their hurrying feet. From the heart of the mountains thy bright torrent drains Thy sources are deep in the dim Cœur d' Alenes.
Convulsions volcanic thy stern bed have made, In basalt and granite thy couch has been laid; 'Tis vemed with the onyx and broidered with gold, And into its gorges thy liquid life rolled.
High over thy head croons the sentinel pine: Deep into thy bosom the watchful stars shine: The tamaracks gaze on thy foam-covered face. And shivering, stand in the breath of thy race.
Columbia thunders; its echoes invite Deep answers to deep in the cataract's might. Speed on to thy nuptials, exulting in pride, And the peerless Spokane is Columbia's bride.
BY MRS. SARA F. ARCHER
ABOVE THE FALLS, SPOKANE RIVER
CHAPTER XVII.
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 1881 and approved November 29, 1881.
AN ACT TO INCORPORATE THE CITY OF SPOKAN FALLS.
ARTICLE I .- Section I. Be it enacted by the Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Washington. That the city of Spokan Falls shall be bounded as follows, to-wit : Commenc- ing at the northwest corner of section 19, town- ship 25 north, range 43 east ; thence west 160 rods. to quarter post ; thence south 160 rods to center of section 25. township 25 north, range 42 east : thence east 480 rods, to south- east corner of the north half of section 19. township 25 north, range 43 east ; thence east 80 rods ; thence north 160 rods : thence east 80 rods, to southeast corner of southwest quarter of section 17; thence north to and across Spo- kane river. 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 place of beginning.
Sec. 2. The inhabitants of the city of Spokan Falls, within the limits above de- scribed, 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 Spo- kan Falls, and by that name and style they and their successors shall be known in law, have perpetual succession, sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, defend and be defended in all courts of law and equity and in all suits and actions whatsoever, may pur-
chase. acquire, receive and hold property, real, personal and mixed, for the use of the city, may lease, sell and dispose of the same for the benefit of the city may purchase. acquire, receive and hold property, beyond the limits of the city to be used for burial purposes. also for the establishment of hospitals for the reception of persons affected with contagious diseases, also for work-houses or houses of cor- rection, 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 II .- Section 1. The government of said city shall be vested in a mayor and com- mon council consisting of seven members who shall be elected by the qualified voters of said city, and shall hold their office until ten days after the next annual election and until their successors shall be elected and qualified.
Sec. 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 ad- visable, a general statement of the condition
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of the city, as to its finance, government and property, and to recommend the adoption of such means as he may think advisable to pro- mote its interest and advance its prosperity ; to be vigilant and active in causing the laws and ordinances of the city to be enforced, to exercise a constant supervision over the con- duct of all subordinate officers; to receive and examine intoi all complaints which may be made or preferred upon 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 be true, and the cause sufficient, shall have the power to declare the office of the person so complained against vacant, and the same shall be filled as hereinafter pro- vided. The mayor 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.
Scc. 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 have jurisdiction over all violations of city ordinances; hold to bail, confine or commit persons found guilty of any violations thereof ; he shall, as ex-officio assessor, within such time as shall be by ordinance provided, make out and return to the common council a correct list of all the taxable property within the city limits, with the valuation thereof, and in the name of the person liable to be taxed therefor. The mode of making out such list, ascertaining the value of the property and col- lecting thie taxes shall, as nearly as may be practicable. be the same as tliat prescribed by law for assessing and collecting Territorial and county taxes, and he shall as suchi assessor discharge such other duties as inay by ordi- nance 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 jus- tices' 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. He may appoint as many deputies as he shall see fit, each appointment to be approved by the mayor.
Scc. 4. The city treasurer shall receive and carefully keep all moneys belonging to the city, and shall pay out the same only on war- rants duly authorized under the laws and or- dinances of the city. He shall keep full and correct accounts of his receipts and disburse- ments, showing the source from which the money came, and the persons to whom it was paid, with reference to voucher upon which it was paid out, which vouchers he shall pre- serve. His accounts shall at all times be open to the inspection of the mayor and common council, 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 ordi- nance be prescribed.
Scc. 5. If any person elected to, or hold- ing, any city office shall without leave of the council, 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 lie shall have been elected, his office sliall be deemed vacant, and a resolution of the council declaring such office vacant shall be final and conclusive.
Scc. 6. The common council shall. by or- clinance, define the duties of all officers not herein provided.
ARTICLE IV .- Of the Election of Officers
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·HISTORY OF SPOKANE COUNTY.
and Filling of Vacancies .- Section I. A gen- eral 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. 2. All elections shall be by ballot. at such places as shall be designated by ordi- nance.
Sec. 3. It shall be the duty of the com- mon 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 and 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 pres- ent may choose another in his stead. The re- turns 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 Monday in April, when the vote shall be pub- licly examined, and the board of trustees shall declare the result, the city clerk shall there- upon give a certificate of election to the per- sons 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 vote.
Sec. 4. All vacancies shall be filled by the common council, by appointment. In case of a vacancy in the council, the member or mem- bers remaining, whether a quorum or not, may fill the vacancy.
Sec. 5. Elections for city officers shall continue but one day and the polls shall be open from nine o'clock in the morning until four o'clock in the evening. The polls may be closed at twelve until one o'clock at the option of the judges.
ARTICLE V .- Of Qualifications of Mayor and Councilmen and Organization of Council. Section I. The mayor and common council, justice and marshal and all other officers elected or appointed under this act, shall be
qualified within ten days after election or ap- pointment, 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 may 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 coun- cil may have previously provided. They shall judge of the qualifications, elections and returns of their own members, and other offi- cers elected or appointed under this act, and determine contested elections. They shall establish rules for their own proceedings, pun- ish any member, or any other person, for dis- orderly conduct in their presence at any meet- ing of the council, and with two-thirds con- currence 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 and entered on the journal, and all their proceedings shall be public.
ARTICLE VI .- Of the General Power of the Mayor and Common Council .- Section I. The mayor and common council shall have power within the city :
I. To make by-laws and ordinances not repugnant to the laws of the United States or this Territory.
2. To levy and collect taxes not exceeding one-half of one per cent. per annum upon all
·
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HISTORY OF SPOKANE COUNTY.
property made taxable by law for county and Territorial purposes. Provided, that if any persons at any time after the annual assess- ment shall commence the sale or barter of any wares or merchandise within said city such person shall be assessed and pay a tax on said goods, wares and merchandise for the balance of the year after he shall so commence, propor- tioned to the amount levied or assessed for city purposes for the year. And. further pro- vided. That no tax shall be levied on the value of articles, the growth and produce of the Ter- ritory, which are brought in such city and sold.
3. To make regulations and restrictions to prevent the introduction of contagious and other diseases into the city.
4. To establish hospitals and make regu- lations for the government of the same, and to secure the general health of the inhabitants.
5. To prevent and remove nuisances.
6. To erect water-works either within or beyond the city limits of the city, and to pro- vide the city with water for extinguishing of fire and the use of the inhabitants.
7. To license, tax and regulate auction- eers, taverns, restaurants, hawkers, peddlers. brokers, pawn-brokers, saloons or places for retailing spirituous, malt o or fer- mented liquors, barrooms or billiard tables, theatrical or other exhibitions, shows and amusements, runners for hotels or vessels, por- ters, teamsters, hackmen, draymen, truckmen, and fix the rate of porterage, hacks, carriages, wagons, carts, drays, trucks and onmibuses, and to fix the rate of charges for the carriage of persons or property.
8. To prevent hogs or any other live stock from running at large within the city limits.
9. To provide for the prevention and ex- tinguishing of fires, and to organize a fire de- partment.
10. To appoint fire wardens and prescribe their duties, and to compel any person or per-
sons 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.
II. To establish and regulate a police.
12. To impose a fine. penalty or forfeit- ure for the breach of any ordinance: Pro- vided, no fine shall exceed one hundred dollars and no term of imprisonment shall exceed thirty days ; Provided, Further: That in case of inability or refusal to pay a fine. one day's imprisonment may be imposed 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 may by ordinance be prescribed.
13. To erect a work-house or house of correction and provide for the government and regulation thereof.
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, gut- ters, 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 t) levy a discriminating tax on persons or prop- erty 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.
15. To provide for the lighting of the streets of the city with gas or otherwise.
16. To establishi and regulate a night- watch and patrol, and to provide a city jail.
17. To appropriate and provide for any item of city expenditure, and for the payment of the debts of the city: Provided: That when the city's indebtedness amounts to $1.500 no further debts shall be created except for the ordinary current expenses of the city. an.l
A. M. CANNON (deceased) SPOKANE
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HISTORY OF SPOKANE COUNTY.
debts created in violation of this provision shall be void.
18. To regulate the storage of gunpow- der, 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, de- fective flue, oven, boiler or any other appar- atus which may be dangerous in causing fire.
19. To prescribe the manner of building party walls or fences.
20. To prevent or restrain any riot, dis- turbance or disorderly assemblage, or any in- (lecent conduct in any street, house or place in the city.
21. To provide for the collection and re- ceiving, by said city, of all road poll 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 constitute 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 mayor and common council shall also have power by ordinance to license, regu- late or prohibit bawdy or whore houses in the city, and shall have power to pass ordinances for the punishment of persons guilty of pub- licly using obscene language within the city.
Sec. 2. Any ordinance which shall have been passed by the common council shall, be- fore it becomes valid, be presented to the mayor for his approval. If he approves it he shall sign it, if not he shall return it with his ob- jection in writing to the council, who shall cause the same to be entered on their journal. They shall then consider the same. If, on such reconsideration, four members of the 6
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 mayor shall fail to return an ordinance within seven days after it has been presented to him for his approval, it shall become effective as if the mayor had signed it.
Sec. 3. All demands against the city shall be audited by the council and shall be paid by the treasurer on the warrant of the president of the council, countersigned by the mayor.
Sec. 4. The president of the council shall exercise the duties of the mayor whenever said office shall be vacant, or the mayor be absent from the city, or for any cause unable to at- tend to the duties of his office.
Sec. 5. The style of the city ordinance shall be as follows : "The people of the city of Spokane Falls do ordain as follows."
ARTICLE VII .- 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 sante fees for his services as are pre- scribed by law for similar services, but no part of the same shall be paid by the city.
Scc. 2. All other officers provided for in this act, or to be created, shall receive such compensation as shall be provided for by or- dinance.
ARTICLE VIII .- Miscellaneous Provis- ions .- Section 1. Upon the passage of all ordinances the yeas and nays shall be called and entered on the journal.
Sec. 2. All resolutions or ordinances call- ing for appropriations of any money shall lie over for seven days.
Sec. 3. The mayor may at any time call. a special session of the common council by proclamation or special notice to the coun- cilmen, and he shall state to them, when they are assembled, the cause for which they are convened.
Sec. 4. No member of the council shall during the period for which he has been
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'elected, be interested in any contract, the ex- penses to which to be paid from the city treas- ury.
Scc. 5. The fiscal year of the city shall end on the last day of February of each year, -and the city council shall, at least one week before the annual election, cause to be pub- -lished a full and complete detailed statement of all money received and expended by the cor- poration during the preceding year, and on what account expended, classifying each re- ceipt and expenditure under its appropriate head.
ARTICLE IX .- Section I, To carry into effect the provisions of this act until officers can be cluly elected at the first election day herein provided for, the following named per- sons are hereby appointed to the following named offices, namely: Mayor. R. W. For- rest ; Common Councilmen, S. G. Havermale, A. M. Cannon, L. H. Whitehouse, F. R. Moore, W. C. Gray, L. W. Rima, G. A. Davis. Scc. 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and ap- proval by the government.
Approved November 29, 1881. .
The Legislature of 1883 passed "An Act to amend an Act to incorporate the city of Spokane Falls." This act extended to the city limits, making it two miles square and divid- ing it into four wards. All east of Howard street and south of Riverside was in the first ward; all north of Riverside avenue and cast of Howard in second ward; all west of How- ard and north of Riverside in the third ward, and all west of Howard and south of Riverside in fourth ward. The time of election was changed from the first Monday in April to the first Tuesday in AApril, 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 Legis- lature of 1886. As all the important features
of this charter are incorporated in the new one, we do not deem it necessary to present it here.
THE PRESENT CHARTER.
The present charter was framed and sub- mitted by the board of fifteen freeholders. elected September 27, 1890, in pursuance of the provisions of Section 10, Article II, of the Constitution of the State of Washington, the acts of the Legislature and an ordinance num- bered 493, passed and approved September 8. 1890, was approved by the people at an elec- tion held March 24, 1891, and was attested and went into effect April 4. 1891. It has been amended from time to time.
LIMITS OF SPOKANE CITY.
The charter, with amendments, describes the limits as follows :
The city of Spokane shall include within its limits the following lands and territories :
The corporate limits of the city of Spokane shall be bounded as follows: Commencing at the northeast corner of the southeast quarter cf section 3, township 25 north, range 43 east, W. M .; thence west to the northwest corner of the southeast quarter of section 2, township 25 north, range 42 ; thence south to the south- west 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 cor- porate limits the following described lands and territory: South half section 4. south half section 5. south half section 6, sections 7. 8. 9. 16. 17. 18, 19, 20, 21. 28, 29 and 30, in town- ship 25 north of range 43 east, W. M., and south half section 1, 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 town- ship 25 north, range 42 east. W. M .. together with such other territory, if any, heretofore or
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HISTORY OF SPOKANE COUNTY.
hereafter taken from or added to said city in pursuance of law.
The city of Spokane is divided into five wards, bounded and designated as follows :
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 of the Spo- kane 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.
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