The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-02-28
THE CITY'S FINANCES.
Letter From Ex-Mayor White to
the Electors.
MANY CAMPAIGN LIES NAILED,
He Shows the Falsity of Charges of Cor
ruption and Extravaganc0-Re-
duction in Expenses.

ia called to account for its stewardship of the
city's business during the past administration,
and as was intrustsd with the honorable du-
ties devolving upon the executive, 1t may be
reasonably expected that shall present myself
for an accounting and report. take this means
of laying before the sovereign authortv-the
people-a brief record OF the measures have
taken to obey its expressed wish and serve its
material interests.
call your attention to the platform adopted
al the last city convention OF Republicans, and
upon which was elected mayor. 1t declared
in favor of carrying the work of obtaining con-
trol OF the water system TO an immediate COM
pletion; In favor OF a steady enforcement Of the
laws and of all municipal regulations.
1t declared that 1.-The rapid growth OF the city
demands that extraordinary efforts be made to
have the necessary public improvements keep
pace with its requirements, and we pledge our
support to every legitimate plan having for It's
object the increased comfort OF the people OF the
city and the increased safety of their property"
1t recommended that "some system be devised
by which labor employed by the city shall be
paid in cash and not in a deprecated scrip, and
further that steps be taken to reduce the rate of
interest paid by the city upon its floating in
debtedness; that the progress OF the city be so
guarded that its growth may be healthy well
as rapid and il Endorsed 1.-The administration
OF Mayor White ana the present city council
and believes that in their official acts they have
been governed by q sincere desire to advance the
best interests of the city"
In accepting the nomination for an Office
whose exalted character fully appreciate, |
made the following pledges:
nominated me, / promise that will do every
thing in my power to advance the best interests
OF Seattle.
iii elected shall not be the tool of any faction
or schemiug combination, but will use all the
ability possess to advance the welfare OF every
part OF the city.
city to own the waterw works and to extend the
mains so that every part of the city will have
an ample supply of water.
81 am in favor of extending the sewers and
lnlDr0yiuY rs a
permit.
I'm making my appointments viii consult
with men in whom the people have confidence,
and will appoint men specially qualified for
their positions.
"My aim shall be to deal justly with labor as
well az capital"
have faithfully kept all these promises
But my purpose Is not to extol my own work.
desire to show that the administration of the
city's affairs by the Republican party has been
followed by excellent results, that the city Is
better served at smaller proportionate cost
than it ever was; that the need OF an enlarged
system OF municipal government was impera-
tive, and that the new charter is not only q wise
but IN the main an economic measure.
Men have been deluded by the false cries of
irresponsible demagogues. but | defy any man
who takes the trouble to inquire into the mat
ter to find any basis for the charge of corrup-
ton. OF nismanagement or of extravaganza
The Republican party has no reason to blush
FOR its officials or to shrink before the haunting
finger of rival partisa1s recklessness.
We all know we made some mistakes-that IL,
we did not all agree AS what was best to be done
but we discussed those questions openly and
when decision was arrived at 1t was carried
out in good faith.
! ask your special attention to the question
which is now revived as reason for attacking
The late administration. Every voter in this
city knew that on the day OF election, October l,
1890 that the city had contracted an indebted
ness lar beyond Its means and that it was neces
sary to issue bonds. Yet this was the policy
Endorsed at the polls, by which was bound,
and which was dictated by profound sagacity:
1.-The rapid growth of the city demands that
extraordinary efforts be made to have the neces-
sary public improvements keep pace with its
requirements, and we pledge our support to
every legitimate plan having for its object the
Increased comfort of the people OF the city or
the increased safety of their property"
There have been instances OF extravaganza in
some OF the departments Who checked them?
The members OF the city council
Early in our term We found that the expenses
OF the city were too large. Who checked them?
The members of the city council.
l felt it my duty 20 call attention to them. 1t
was my place only TO advise. l could not legs-
Jate But my advice was needed, as the records
show.
Nearly year ago, on March Is, 1891, ai-
dressed message TO the city council, in which
earnestly recommendeda stacking up in the
expenditure for public works. | quote from
mat message, which may be found in the Posi-
INTELLIGESCER OF March l3 1891:
The city Is passing through that condition
which was long foreseen as inevitable after a
period OF such intense and exceptional activity.
III Is not necessary to he alarmed as to the
future, but Il Is the part OF prudence to take all
precautions against extravaganza in the ad-
minlstration OF city affairs Two problems are
presented to TIE legislative body: One is the
funding OF the indebtedness incurred under the
oic system OF government, and the other is the
reduction OF current expenses from abnormal to
within normal limits"
proposed a financial policy which am en-
tilted 10 believe was wise-not because ! pro-
posed II, after long and anxious consideration
bat because II was received with the most EN-
phaue approval; and now it is finally to be sub
united TO the people with additions necessitated
py most staiesmanlike determination to put
the city on a cash basis.
Ihis is what the Posi- INTELLIGENcER said:
mayor White thinks the time has come for
calling halt works of city DEVELOPMENT
ne thinks that for the present, at least, the
wholesale WORK OF street improvement should
cease, aud that the citv should limit its ey-
pcnses TO the current charges Of the city govern
lneut economically administered. The sugges-
uuh Is ~ every way good one. and il comes at
atme OF year when a large number of men now
work,
But in thus altering the policy of the city
care should be taken not to stand so straight as
TO lean backwards. The fire department
must not be put on such short al
loWance as to limit its efficiency
Inc sewers must not be neglected, for upon
their extension the lie and health Of our people
depend The water system must be extended to
supply the widening range of settlement These
Things are essentials. and it would be fatal a
matter OF p2bllC policy to stop short works that
ever Necessity OF municipal Ito cali for Re
ieAclment IS AT this time imperative. but IL
innhi be accomplished Il rational ways and not
" "a spasll tbdt Will undo render Taiueiess
nuch that has been already accomplished
mayor Whites plan 10 appropriate to the sew.
rrai departments stated sums FOR monthly cy-
pend lures aai - limit them to the schedule
IS an excellent one This is the business
method and the only practical and correct rule
a lew months under such system Will show
lust how iAuch the ordinary current expenses of
fssa ~ call
foay now seems able 20 calculate with any Ger
blUty.'
The Press was no less emphatic:
AFTER two days silence on the vastly imnort-
ant subject Of Mayor Whites message on taxes
tho Telegraph hndS Itself forced to say that the
consensus ul uuluiCu appears to be that the best
interests OF this city will be served by the adop
ttoN OF the bonding plsn; and again, the best
way 20 deal with these accrued liabilities under
- the c'rcumsiances, would appear to be by
The issuance oi bonds
Ill is highly significant that these opinions
are uttered ty tho Telegraph. since that paper
mas pets!steDtY and consistently discounted.
slae-ei az aud beGtt,cd the Republican city
administration OF Mayor White. and vet after
taxing time 10 discover flaws. errors or weak
ness X hUGs itself reluctantly obliged TO in
"o5se The most important recommendation the
mayor has made; in fact one that IS OF vital
Importance 10 the city.
Neither the T-iNTELIIG ESCFE nor the
Ift5rGpA has as yet admitted what is ;rue-that
the mayor, while leading huanciers ard pu,i-
N'isus have been Vaiuly striving 20 tnd ways
haa means out ot the financial taagle. mas by "A
stroke o. the pen cut the GoTdjan knot aud pro
duCed a scheme which Is AZ once so sound fusu.
CIaIy Snt so shEaWd politically that II cannot
fSA 30 redeem the administration from past
minor errors aud recommend it most favorahlv
II the consideration of thinking men OF all par
ties
81; IS noticeable fact that the mayors scheme
Is heartily lC2or,eI without regard to party or
;aclonai feeling. Judge Burke, as a leader Of
tue Democrats; Judge J. K. Lewis, an In9e-
pendent republican, Hon. n 4. Penny. as a
representative eoHseryatlye citizen; NJ. ". J.
4 L..