Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1885-05-22
oLs art,. w,sui>.TO> TEW.
OllxrIl iGlp.i EVENING, wv -, 1856
Rubbing II In.

few works ago when the City
Assessor submitted his eold-ulated
assessment TOLL cmbcll,shed with
riii fringe aud tassels. there was a
general ulus,ug 81 tie people IN
prulo-t against continuance Of the
hsh pressure policy which had al
ready sslll"i - large debt upon the
shoulders II tho taxpayers They
Nete net With Tho assurance 10y mem
hoi- 81 the tliy touncil that the
ratio would lee fixed at such low
figure that 30 moIe than "a reason
shlo tAN would 10 collected This
assuancc had tho effect 81 oll on
tho troubled waters rio,cstatlon
ceased. aud many who had valid
cause ioi complaint on the ground
n inequality Of valuation placed
upon property II equal worth, con
cludod 10 mako no romonstrance
when they thought they had discov
eicd - disposition 10 repair the
wtong which an incompetent officer
hal Inflicted
What will he their surprise when
they Gnd that tho Council has lot
only ignored tho understanding for
low ratio. but did actually contem-
plato M uicrsas,. Of one mill on last
years levy aud ouly after much
wfangling consented To iix IL at tho
formor figure of SIX mills The Of
feet 81 this ratio will 10 TO increase
the tax Of three 'our,hs Of the resi-
dents Of the city The only reason
urged for this outrage Is, that Mr..
Hoffman aud his right and left
supporters" want to reduce the city
deb, about $4,000 this year, and
maintain the same number VI officers
and amount Of salaries provided for
IN huah times and when the city was
out II debt.
A reduction Of debt. public and
private. 10 always desirable. when it
can be made without distress, but
there are times when sound financial
policy imperatively demands a post.
ponement Of tho day Of reckoning.
This IL one Of them. The people are
poorer to-day than they were one
year ago. poorer than they expect to
lie year hence. The almighty dol.
lar 10 slow in turning up. and when
u 10 turned vanisbcs as suddenly as
the little joker under tho cup. II
ono can " keep even with tho world,
under such circumstances. he finds
subject for congratulation. and he
can bette, afford topsy reasonable in.
terest ON his proportion Of the pub
Ito debt till business revivss than
60 pay a higher rate for money to
meet tho taxes when due. or bear the
costs 81 sale Of bis property when it
has become delinquent.
The policy Of the foimer Council
witch has resulted in this condition
II affairs, was maintained against the
continued protests 81 the STANDARD
backed by our best people. II was
though, that MIR. Hoffman's election
would result In rstrcnchment OF pub
lie expenses and nm economic adj
minis,ra,ion Of city affairs. He wai
elected bys bare majority. and it il
safe 10 say that had not his support.
cts been deceived 40 10 his intentions
and formed On altogether too exalted
opinion u his abilities, no would
not now be In position TO maintain
his dominering aud autocratic sway
How he does it--sxespt It may b.
through bulldog pertinacity-no
body cen determine; for there are
several members OF the Council who
are HE superior In mental ability
and ordinarily possessed Of far bet.
tss judgment. Why they should
he led by the nose 10 mystery. and
ius, how long they will submit TO his
dietstevisl course 10 q question no,
yet decided.