The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-02-28

largely in excess of the estimated income. 1
earnestly recommend that the police and fire
departments be restricted to the closest econ
oTay without impairing their usefulness. The
people who voted for the eight-hour law Will
concede the necessity of the additional expense
involved in the application of a sound prin-
cipie, which has, may add, my most cordial
approval"
Commenting upon this the PosT-ISrELLIGES-
GER said: "Mayor Whites proposition to re-
duce city expenses is a practical and timely
suggestion. Since the fire the municipal ex-
penses have been very heavy, far beyond the
current income; but there was much that had
to be done, and ii was deemed wise to the
credit of tho city to do it. There
was, in fact, other way. As
a result, we have opened up scores
OF miles of streets, increased the width and
otherwise bettered the old streets, made panked
thoroughfares through the city, opened up i'm
portant spaces in the business center, created
and equipped fine fire department, purchased
and developed the water system, built and
equipped a freboat, and thoroughly reorganized
the city governmental machinery.
'All this has cost vast amount OF money,
but the expenditure has made seattle in reality
a city. There was under the old system an ex-
travagant method OF work; but in spite of this
Seattle has gained prodigious advantage
through the liberality and nerve which,
at the right time, put in thous,,
extension 1t makes large debt, but one easily
within the ability OF the city to pay. There is,
to be sure, just now an embarrassing financial
situation, but the case il far from hopeless and
the city will soon get its affairs in such shape
that it can meet the current expenses and pro-
vide interest on sums that it must borrow"
The Press Times said: Particularly sound
are Mayor Whites emphatic words urging the
necessity of the strictest accountability oisall
city officials aud the immediate adoption of
and adhesion to system OF rigid and infiexible
economy"
Now let US see whether the views were carried
out.
Here was the condition of affairs when we
entered upon our duties october H. 1890
We found charter which had been framed by
Prohibitoasts, Democrats and Republicans
alike, and voted for by the people. We had no
option but to carry it into effect We knew
everybody knew-that the city was heavily in
debt, and it needed the system devised by the
charter TO ascertain what that Indebtedness was.
The only way to do SO was to start in with the
new system of keeping the books and as quickly
as possible straighten out the old accounts.
At the same time we were urged on all sides:
Don't stop street work; keep laborers en-
ployed: it would be fatal TO suspend public
works now; spend money few months longer;
it will benefit the city permanently and mean
time help merchants, storekeepeTs, laborers.
Don't cut down the fire department, as rates
will go up" And so the contest went on.
1t was January /, 1891, before the accounts
lent report Therein We found the following
facts:
Bonded Indebtedness. $4,000
Floating Indebtedness. ...-........--.-.. oo5,-sS
-
Condemnation, awards and other claims 10000
Total s2,oss. 2ss
pointed this out at the time, that is, early in
the year. 1t is therefore preposterous to claim,
as some Democratic speakers have, that the in
debtedness is a recent accumulation.
We have since issued $780, 90 bonds for some
OF the warrants, and great part OF the taxes
have gone TO pay up others, so that there is only
81 5000 OF these old warrants (accrued interest
making the difference) to be funded now.
The remainder OF the proposed bond issue for
past Indebtedness is entirely made up, with this
exception, of the old condemnation proceed
ings, the widening OF Front street. Third street,
Second street, ETC., and claims OF that charac-
ter.
The remainder of the bond issue is to pay for
extension of the water works, laying sewers,
and to pay hereafter for all labor and material
i'll cash instead of scrip, measure have con-
stantly urged in my messages.
declare the statements made as to the ex-
trayagance of the first administration under the
new charter to be monstrously and maliciously
false.
The amount for which warrants were issued
from June l, 1882 to May ST. 1890, was S64l, $3.50
The entire expenditure during the year 1891
for actual city work s4S6 OPS, or $I559 62 less
The old council LETT legacy of an actual de-
ficiency OF $4,000 in warrants, besides S975,000
in bonds, $4,000 for the widening of Streets and
claims for $4,000 more. do not condemn the
old council; the citizens demanded these i'm
proyements, and the members were harrassed
and overworked. but the fact remains that these
Improvements then ordered cost money
The new council, it may be mentioned, also
found itself bound to pay So 929 for unpaid bills,
etc, incurred by the old council
Democratic speakers have declared that dur
ing the first ten weeks of my administration
immense sums were expended. AS matter of
fact, notwithstanding all the extra expense of
moving from the old city hall, fitting up the
council chambers, etc, buying all new record
books and putting the charter into effect the to-
tai expenditure from October IA. 1890, to Deem
Der 81, 1891, sl2i, 1856 of which, as explained
old ts.Ie
out of the $96,267 we had also to pay 1850 rs
for old judgments, interest on old claims
amounting TO si,79666. leaving only $729G6. Out
OF which $500. IS for street work. So 1873 rs
for the fire department and on. The vicious
intent which SO Indignantly falsifies is made
clear to everybody who looks at the facts for
himself, and it should bring upon the mischiev-
Gus offender the contempt of every just man.
The figures have given are not private prop
erty; they are taken from the sworn statement
of the city comptroller, and any citizen who
chooses to ask for one can obtain printed copy
OF them.
The actual expenses for general city work as
compared with previous administrations for
last year was SiS6,025. do not, of course in
clude the money derived from the sale of bonds
for water mains and sewers. etc, or what was
expended for the library or parks, which are en-
tirely new features and are paid for by special
provision OF the charter.
But even this outlay includes some expenses
which will not be needed again, for instance,
the furnishing OF offices, payment on the city
hall site; also 81 coz II for engine house and lots
S5,S9i6 for ireboat S2,l51 Tor the fire alarm sys-
ten, etc.
The work of retrenchment has been neverthe-
less going on so far as current expenses are CON
cerned, as following comparisons will show,
taking the salary roll for December 1900 and
the appropriation ordinance OF December, 1891,
for comparison:
Dec. 1890 Dec. 1891.
Police department. 1865 - s $3.50 81
Fire department. .......... 6,129 ~ 500 IS
City engineers office. l,Se6 50 1,S02 p
Public slips. As 81 l.2G6 II
Streets NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 469S 10 l.S72 80
Fremont boulevard. ........ LIE g.
Health Office. -...-..-..--.. 80 90 40 90