The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-12-10
CAPTAIN KENT's CLAIM.
After Sharp Debate 1t IL Again Re-
ferred.

Apart from the election of the mayor, the
most exciting occurrence in either house was a
sharp encounter between Chief of Police Rog-
ers and ex-Captan Kent in the house of dele
gates. 1t was caused by a report of the police
committee in favor OF paving Mr.. Keuts claim
of Sl0077 for unpaid salary aud some incidental
expenses.
Chief Rogers asked to be heard and said the
claim was fraud on the face OF it and on the
back of it, Captain Kent, he said, was dropped
from the roll of the department under the rule
which stipulated that any member Of the force
absenting himself from duty for five days is de-
clared to be discharged. He was absent from
May is to June without reporting, as required.
The bill up to June l was not pre-
scented until November l. The bill
was tabled by the police commissioners, but in
some mysterious way it got off the table, taken
by whom nobody seems to know. 1t next found
its way before the auditing committee, approved
by Harry White, mayor, and by Captain Man.
ming and G. o. Guy, commissioners. He said
when it was tabled it ought to be left there. 1t
was signed, not in the commission, but in
Harry Whites Office, and DR.. Guy told the chief
that Kent took the bill to Guys store and the
latter signed it, because the mayor had ap-
proved it and he supposed it to be right. The
chief then read the demand of fifty patrolmen
on Mr. Kent for the return of 5000 collected for
the capture of Tony Miller. The chief said it
uou Dcen iusinudtcQ tAat AS uaN SoiiOSeSN
money from gamblers and women of ill-fame,
but he deded Kent or any other man to find one
title OF evidence that he had ever taken or re-
ceived one cent from any body inv hitechapel
or improperly from anybody else.
An angry colloquy took place between Rogers
and Kent, in which they exchanged some very
disagreeable personal remarks.
Mr.. Kent addressed the council in his own
behalf. He said the Tony Miller fund had
nothing N do with the matter He held 1t in
trust, and If in November next Miller was not
found the amount would be distributed among
the eighty-one members OF the force at the
time He declared that he was i'll during his
absence, and the police surgeon had promised
to send a certificate to the commissioners. He
maintained that his claim was a just one.
Mr.. Bagley thought the house ought to be in
formed whether the statement was correct that
the police board records showed that Mr.. Kent
had been dropped.
Mr.. Willis said the members were competent
to decide the matter without the speeches
which had been made with great deal OF feel-
ing, and he hoped the matter would be referred
back to the committee for further inquiry.
The chair appointed Kittinger, Lansing. Hart,
Furry and Muldoon as a special committee.
Mr.. G. G. Severance complained of a nuisance
caused by overflow of sewage, and the sanitation
committee was asked to inquire at once and
give directions for relief
The salary appropriation bill was passed.
committee report was presented favoring
payment to II. L. Yesler OF 5000 for Pioneer
place, provided he would pay the grade tax.
Mr.. Kittinger said Mr.. Yesler had bond with
the city for the purchase money, and he could
go into any court and recover It,
Mr.. Barnes didn't think they should pay Yesler
ii Yesler was not willing to pay the city.
Alderman Miller explained that Mr.. Yesler
was willing to let the interest stand until the
matter of grade taxes had been settled.
Mr.. Shipley went over the matter once more.
and Mr.. Bagley said the city seemed amply Sc
cured, and he hoped the resolution would pass
as TO the capital amount, but he for one would
not vote to pay Mr.. Yesler any interest unless
his grade taxes had been equitably settled. He
hoped, moreover, that Mr.. Yesler would not ask
for per cent discount as had been done in an
other instance when he was not present
The resolution was adopted.
The petition of Watson C. Squire for permits
sion to improve streets in his addition at his
own expense was granted.
The house adjourned until Monday night.
Only routine business was transacted in the
board of aldermen, and adjournment was taken
until Monday night.