The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-07-02
MIR. BAGLEY's PLATFORM.
SEATTLE, July /, 1891

SkAIILks July u 1cSA-
To TIE EDTroR: Several occurrences of the
past few days have led the writer into . moral
ling mood Was Cleveland right in saying
that q public Office Is public trustf Does IL
pay one who wants 70 Be honest and serve the
public faithfully 70 accept any legislative ONCE?
To the frat no answer but yes can be given,
% the other. ssno."
II il certain that one who desires 70 be "popu-
lar" one who wishes 70 be considered good
fellow" one who wishes 20 have those with
whom he Is thrown into public and business as
socistion greet him cordially. has hard time of
it II he attempts 20 legslate for the interests OF
the city OF Seattle rather than for those who
draw money from the public treasury as officers,
employees or contractors. Most of these deem
their hold upon the public teat an inalienable
right by reason of long or faithful services TO the
party" and they hold him who ventures to
call this alleged right in question a personal
enemy. OF course there are few notable and
noble exec ptions. but they only serve to prove
the rule. These same party services are also
used q claim by the gambler and the tough
for practical exemption from interference
by officers of the law, and from punishment for
violations OF the law. All OF these classes either
object to retrenchment in city finances or TO the
closing of their games Haste il made
TO assure these different classes that they
are only associated together for purpose of IL
lustration. These have their friends and repre-
sentatives in the city council, men elected and
sworn to serve the interests of the city honestly
and faithfully, but who never cast vote with
out first counseling with their outside friends
and patrons, and who never vote contrary to the
wishes and interests of the latter, no matter
how much these conflict with the demands of
good government and municipal economy.
These city councilmen are the ones who saddled
upon the city an enormous and unjust salary
list and who now resis st and defeat every practi-
cal effort 10 reduce the same.
On the other hand, the taxpayers, the business
men and the good citizens take il O matter of
course that the man who incurs the enmity of
these others should do as he does. 1t is merely
his "duty" They do and say nothing
to encourage or help him in his strug-
giles. II an election occurs on which
depends whether the men who represent the
city's interests or those who represent the op-
posing interests shall dominate in the city legis-
lature, they viii not go out and vote nor will
they take time or interest enough TO register.
Still they will gather IN knots on the street
corners and inyegh against the extravaganza
and "rottennessr of the city government II
these business men and citizens would take the
same time to argue with and persuade members
OF the city council TO do their full duty that
they now waste in growing about affairs, they
might accomplish q deal of good.
A few days ago the writer made remarks about
Alderman Korn, based upon the mistaken belief
tnAb the dAutLhiaA Au0 NotSu aSalutt the So
called 'retrenchment ordnance Had the
latter done so il would have only been in keep
ing with his entire course in the city coun-
ell. In that instance the writer was wrong
and he would not at that time have attacked
Mr. Korn's course but for such mistake. Mr..
Korn and the other members of the city council
and of the city government may well under
stand now and all the time that their official
acts are legitimate subjects OF criticism and
denunciaton, If need be, by any citizen, and
that in the city council, in the public press and
on the street corners, II he desires, the writer
hereof will at all times express himself plainly
and emphatieaily regarding their official acts.
With their private life ana affairs he has moth
ing 70 do or say. Blacksuardism and the be-
stowai of epithets will not rspress him, nor will
IL disprove what he may say write The
public will judge as to the merits of the case
This is not written In a whining spirit The
writer claims to understand the force and effect
of words. II he attacks any mar or set of men.
be they aldermen or gamblers, he expects TO he
hit back again and he has neither favor nor
quarter to ask. Above all, he never pleads the
.'baby act c. r. BAGLEY.