The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-03-09
THE MAYORS VIEWS.
He Defends His Veto Of the
Blaine Ordinance.
4 NEW POLICE COMMISSIONER.
General Turner'S Name to BE Submitted
to the House Of Delcgates-stree
Car Franchises.

mayor harry White has been connned
to his bed for q week with an attack Of ia
grippe" He is not in any danger. but is
very low and few visitors are permitted
access to him. He is not likely to be able
to get out for FIVE or six days yet. Yester-
day Posr-ISrELLIGENcEE reporter called
upon him to inquire as to his condition
and to learn what he thought Of the action
of the house of delegates in passing the
Blaine ordinance over his veto.
II see, !" he said, .sthat Judge Stratton is
quoted as agreeing with Mr.. Blaine that
the ordinance does not imply an obliga-
ton on the part of the city to assume an
Indebtedness. am surprised at that. l
was under the impression that when an
ordinance made provision that the city
would pay certain sum at certain date,
1t implied a contract to incur indebted
ness. Itseems to me that whether the prop
erty-owners pay or do not pay the grade
taxes, the city will have gone long way in
the eyes of most people toward pledging
Its credit to redeem the bonds issued
under the ordinance, 1t is true that such
an Indebtedness is not valid without the
authorization of the people given at an
election but in that case the holders of
the bonds are no better off as to security
and are worse off as to interest. Is it like
~ that the holders do not feel that their
position is strengthened by the implied
obligation of the ordinance? Ifnot, why
do they resist the attempt to take out the
five-year maturing clause?
'Some of the scrip holders argue that
the city is bound by decisions of the court
to accept responsibility for these taxes and
that. therefore, no election is necessary to
~ays In&> 1-lA l. -
posed to represent. | know that such q
decision is rendered by the superior court.
but do not think that question should be
accepted as settled until the supreme court
has passed upon it.
but suppose it were settled. The city
is bound by the decision Of the courts only
In such cases as it passes upon, and every
conditions; but do not consider that be-
cause the courts have decided that the city
must pay $63, 900 l would be justified in
pledging the people of this city to pay
over $780, 200, until the people, by exercise
OF the rights conferred upon them by the
constitution, have declared their willing
ness to incur that liability.
Il don't know" he continued, chow the
board of aldermen feel on the subject. /
have not spoken to any of them except in
general way. and then without presume
ing to ask how they would vote. have
done what l believe to be right, and the
action of the city council absolyes me from
any further responsibility.
"What are you going to do about the
vacancy in the police commission caused
by Mr.. Ledgerwood's retirement?''
Il made 1t known to number of lead
ing Democrats that would like to have
them submit two or three names of men
prominent among them whose standing
would be beyond question. promised to
make selection to submit to the house of
upon General Charles ". Turner. the law
yer; and another name was submitted. /
shall comply with the request to present
General Turner's name"
who is the other Democratic was
asked.
II don't think it would be becoming
just now to mention his name, as / may
not be called upon to present it, he re-
piled.
1.-The name Of Mr.. Everett Smith has
been mentioned"
eyes; on Monday last I was waited
upon by delegation bearing memorial
signed by something over hundred peo-
pie asking for his appointment. / told
those gentlemen substantially what have
told you"
''Your action in introducing into your
message an allusion to the distinction adj
visable to be made between franchises has
been criticised, the mayor was told.
as that so? Well, I don't know why.
It seems to me to be very serious con-
sideration. did not think it possible that
any just man would call into question
what seems to me to be such a very plain
equitable distinction. give you my word
that if the Rainier people get the fran
chise they seek, it will add considerably to
the value of my property on Weller street.
But that did not prevent me saying what
did when ] thought it was right l GER
tainly cannot be accused of fostering my
own interests by silence in that case, or
saying what I do not think best for the
entire city,
"Is there any other subject you care to
speak off"
NO; think of nothing just now. l
read the newspapers today for the first
time in q week, and was q little vexed to
find the names of myself and wife reported
as attendin9a masked ball. / never go to
affairs of that kind and certainly have not
this week. The extent of my dissipation
is attending church fair now and then,
and usually do that because people fancy
it may help their cause a little bit for the
mayor to attend"