, 1885-03-21

The impression hns gone out
among our residents that a heavy
shortage existed In the funds col
lected for the purpose of grading
certain streets in the city, and 1t is
used to create dissensions among
the people. Last spring the new
council inRugurated wholesale sys-
tenn Of street Improvements. The
work was necessary and clamorously
demanded by a majority OF the tax
payers on said highways An engl-
neer was employed, an estimate OF
the cost made and contracts let for
the work. That the grading won
derfully improved the appearance
Of the city no one can deny and but
few people found fault with the ex-
pcnse. The assessments as levied
were collected, with the exception
of nearly two thousand dollars Out
Of this system OF internal improve
ments grew the rumors that money
had been appropriated by one Of the
city officials, Chas Crellen, then act
ing as city clerk. From this report
grew other rumors more sweeping
and wlthouta shadow Of foundation,
that the funds Of the city were be-
Ing appropriated. These rumors
have never taken the shape Of specific |
charges, and In fact have not directly
been applied to one person beyond
the party named, but have been used
in a general way. There are mar
row minded men everywhere that
have such q poor opinion Of man
kind, outside and bey yond their own
selves, that they look upon others
with suspicion and doubt that any |
one can be honest in office, and It is
a safe presumption that the current !
OF hints and whispers Of suspicion
owe their source from such an
origin. That all such unwarranted |
and baseless reports are without an
iOta Of foundation there can be no
doubt IN the minds Of fair thinking
men, and 1t Is useless and unneces-
sary for us to pay any attention to
such silly nonsense. AS to the short
age In the street fund we will have
a few words to say, however, as sup
Elemental to the official report Of the |
street commissioner, gentleman
methOdical in his business and one
who has the confidence OF every
body. By that report It will be seen
that the amount Of the assessment |
figures up TO the large sum Of SlO,-
241.79, OF which amount there is only |
a total shortage Of setenty-three dol
lars and thirty-one cents We do |
not emphasize these figures to excuse
even 50 small a delinquency, but to |
show that in the handungof 50 large
an amount, coming in small sums
from many individuals, that a mis-
take could easily be made to that |
extent. The presumption, however,
is that the clerk then in office apprO-
priated the ST3.3l, and all things |
considered, and weighing the\ ru-
mors that have grown out Of the /
matter, II Is a source OF surprise that |
the sum was not ten times as great. |
This resume is taken from the item
lied report Of the street commits
sioner, carefully overhauled and ex-
amined by the street committee, and
VIC consider that our people have
reasons TO congratulate themselves
instead Of finding fault. The follow
ing is the report
The following statement as compiled
from the reports on file in the street COM
missioner's ohiSe for the city OF Spokane
Falls apportainfhg 10 the grading OF Front
street, Main street, Post street, Mill street
and Riverside avenue are as follows, to-
wit;
Engineers estimate. ................-Slor 1880