The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-10-21
THE UNROPED ARENA.

Henry Drum, chairman OF the Democratic
state central committee, is guest at the North
ern.
Dr.. g. A. Reich says that he IL In no way q
candidate for the position OF health officer and
would not accept it under any consideration.
County Treasurer Byron Phelps does not seek
reelection on his army record, although It is ~
honorable a. any man could desire, but he
wishes to stand upon his official record. He
has been treasurer OF King county Sor two
years II he has been good and faithful ser
want the people ought to say so at the poFis.
James Quilter, Democratic candidate for sher.
III. has now visited every precinct but ose out
side of Seattle, and has now come to the city to
look after his fenceAo Mr.. Quiiter has q wide
circle OF personal friends, but many OF them,
While they Ike him a. q citizen and friend.
have no use for him as a public officer. They
remember that only four years ago he was
failure as assessor, and that his tncom petency
caused the farmers OF this county no end OF
trouble and great deal OF cash. In this cam.
paign personal popularity will not coant for
much az iinst ability.
About ffty people of the Fifth ward mot last
night at Fifth and Pike streets. at which
addresses were made by Comptroller Car
son, W. II. Thompson, J. B. Hart, NJ.
J. Msloney and Demosthenes DeBow. DeBow
Is making his old municipal Campaign speech,
but has forgotten TO reverse it. and he declares
what the Democrats will do on "the Sth day
of March next" He made, incidentally, one
good point. He said the Democratic state plat
form denounced the Republican congressional
delegation for seeking an appropriation for the
canal ''to the detIiment OF other improve
ments." He declared this to be untrue, and
cited the fact that the same men had secured
appropriations Tor the Chehslis, Cowlitz, CO.
lumbia and other rivers
Democratic seekers after ONCE have been de-
nouneing the extravaganza of the King county
commissioners The taxpayer who Is inter.
ested might compare the simplicity of the cham.
bers OF the Republican judges, Osborn and
Humes, with the grandeur of that OF the Dem
ocratic judge, Lchtsnbsrg. The only item OF
extravaganza to be found In the entire expenses
OF the county 10 that for sixty five yards of silk
plush at 150 yard. with fringe and taszels, for
which he ordered himself, and directed the
commissioners to pay. He allowed his bailiR
double pay IL there was a night session, and
when Auditor Twichen refused to pass a bill
for extra pay. amounting in one month to s3S,
Judge Lich.enberg exerted the authority OF tho
court and issued mandate which M. Iwichell
was compelled to obey.
Among other reckless charges brought against
the county commissioners in frantic endeavor
to find some sign OF extravagance-there is no
suspicion OF dishonesty or corrupton--is one
that the commissioners spent $4,000 for the
grading of the courthouse yard. This IS based
on an item of 1000 which Is described as for
''grading, etc." 1t consists of over JOG items,
and is made up much as follows: Excgvating,
1888 AZ; balance of contract S. $3.50 architect,
$40; electric wiring, $l7s; cement walss, side
walks, back retaining wall, etc, s347: vault fix
lures, $50; charging treasurer's Office, 1892 90
Out Of this amount also were PAID $60s cor four
months work on the grounds "a most desirable
and useful improyemenp: trees. $3.50: flower
pots, $l65; lawn mowers, etc, $l6 SO; plants,
SIS. Is: hose, $625; flowers, $42.4o. Each of
these items was very reasonable, and the result
should be very gratifying to every resident OF
King comfy.