Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1890-10-03

Srcgatc amount reported were Issued
for payment on Fourth street grade
and nearly 5000 for Eastsidc grade,
besides ABOUT 1900 Tor gravcling on
Eastsidc and Main, aggrcgating nearly
$1,000. no part Of which has been
paid, bat all OF which will soon he
passed into the Treasury.
Councilman McBratney's Views.
Ed. STANDARD:
If the Tribune will but refer to the
published proceedings OF the City
Council, it will find that resolution
was introduced 10y member-the one
that its Eastsidc correspondent re.
ierred to-which provided that all
street work should be done by con-
tract. and not by any city officer.
This was before Mr.. Chambers was
talked of for Mayor. After his selec-
ton for that position, told him that
streets were being graded without con-
tracts from the city, and protested
against such precipitancy on the part
of those doing the work. The matter
was brought up in open Council, and
action taken by that body which
stopped such unauthorized proceed
ings. ! have always tried to interest
myself in all that is going on in my
ward, and all the pay l receive and
ask is Il fair acknowledgement of the
services ] conscientiously render.
! likewise advocated the policy of
collecting the grade and gravel taxes
before the work was done, because the
city has had to pay interest on such
expenditures till they are collected.
which through the action of misfit
lawyers is often long time from the
date it is due.
1t seems to be an invariable rule
that those who talk most and criticise
loudest, are the ones who pay least
and obstruct public progress by fac
tious opposition on every occasion.
l likewise talked to Mayor Cham
bers ON the state Of the finances OF the
city, and while he seemed to realize
that the uncollected taxes amounted
to large sum, he decidedly favored
the immediate contracting for more
lights and urged me as committee
man to see to it at once, as it would
take sixty days for his or any other
company to get the additional plant
here necessary to run the increased
number of lights. The sentiment of
the Council was decidedly against pay
ing for more light at the present
price, and as the gas company would
only give better terms on a long con-
tract, very little hope was entertained
of a better system of lighting. But, 10
and behold! When the special meet
ing, called in so much hurry by the
Mayer, was held, it was found that the
Olympia Light and Power Company
would furnish 1000 candle-power
lights Ghe same, am told, we now
have) for $3.50 per month or $3.50 less
than the present price. Under the
new contract we can have nearly twice
the number of lights for the same we
are now paying. This is the tap
which put Somebody's nose out of
joint. II economy is " treason" am
willing for carpers to make the most
of it.
AS to the city's financial condition,
it is certainly no worse than it was
two years ago, and i maintain it is in
an exceedingly healthy condition
The increase of population and wealth,
due in no small degree to the earnest
efforts and live policy OF the City
Council, make it an easy matter to
pay all that the city has contracted
for We have certainly made the peo-
pie proud of our city and her progress.
We have substantial improvements to |
show for the expenditures made. The
only improvement that i regret
is the Union street bridge. A less ex-
pensive structure would have served
but after the contract was made for it.
the grade was changed that would adj
nit OF smaller cost. 1t will at least /
be as profitable and useful as the Long
Wharf, built before l was ON the board
of aldermen, and much more sensible
than the expenditure of several thous-
ands of dollars of public money to en-
ploy steamship to kick out II chan
mel to deep water!
Our water and fire system are now
as perfect as they can be for q city of
our resources; our lighting system
will be equally effective, but for this
we will evidently receive little credit
from the Tribune. But then that is to
be expected. 1t can sec nothing good
through its jaundiced eyes. There
are many OF us who prefer Sheriff Bill
lings for a political bedfellow to the
7ribune's crew. He has, at least, the
welfare of the city at heart, and does
not jeopardize our prospects by ex-
preston of preference for rival COM
munities.
From Il Councilman of the Second
Ward. T. j. McBRATNEY.