The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-09-18
wHArcom,s KRUc AEEEsrxD.
Treasurer Isenses Af.s . Democrst-He
Got Away with $4,000.

WHATCox, sept II. Specaa1. f-E1-Iity
Treasurer Isensee was arrested last even
ing upon warrant charging him with
converting 10 his own MSS and failing 10
account 10 his successor for the sum OF
5000 belonging 80 the city OF Whatcom-
He had been anticipating arrest for sew
erai days. and whsn taken before Justice
Hardin waived examination and gave
bail In the sum OF $4,000. his sureties be-
ing Hugh EIdridge, John IL. Stenger.
Frank III. Reid, r. G. Petsibone and J. X.
jenkins. The warrant was sworn out BY
Mayor Slade, Councilman Roeder and
City Attorney Neterer.
The editorial in Fridays PosT-IsTELLf-
sExCER on the subject of the footing OF the
Seattle treasury precisely voices the senti-
ment Of the people here with reference TO
the deplorable condition of Whafcom's
financial affairs. The methods pursued
By Treasurers Krug and Isensee seem to
have been remarkably similar. though the
operations OF Isensee are shrouded IN
much greater obscurity than those Of
Krng, by reason of the apparent regular
ity OF the formers books, his defiant re-
fusal TO state what he has done with the
public money, and the absence of
any notes. receipts or other docu-
ments by which his loans 10
friends and investments on his own
account can be traced. Like krug,
Isensee is Democrat. and while there
Is every reason to believe that he himself
has been the victim of misplaced conf
dence in personal friends and designing
political associates" there is not the
slightest disposition manifested to make
political capital out of the iniquity re-
vealed. AS the PosT-IsTELLIeEscER says
concerning the Krug case, ''it is not q
question of politics. but of honest govern
ment."
IL is known that Tsensee has loaned pub
lie money 10 prominent private indiyidu-
ais, but how much or 10 how many cannot
now be ascertained. he has transferred
all of his property to his bondsmen
and as yet no legal proceedings have been
instituted for the recovery of the large
sum for which he fails to account. 1t is
now thought that the amount tied up in
the suspended banks does not exceed $l2-
Coo. deducting warrants issued and checks
outstanding which had not been presented
for payment when the banks closed their
doors. This leaves over $4,000 of which
Isensee refuses absolutely TO render any
statement. In the light, or, rather, dark
ness, which surrounds his operations.
there is every warrant for the
presumption that he conducted his
affairs upon the principle that
nothing comes amiss SO money comes
withal," and the people, believing that
thieves for their robbery have authority
when judges steal themselves. are in
hearty accord with the demand of the
Board of Trade that proceedings against
Isensee and his bondsmen be instituted
forthwith. This demand was made on
the board Friday evening by the adop-
ton, after much discussion, of the report
made by the committee appointed TO in
yestigate municipal affairs. The re-
port also asks that investigation
of the charges against City Clerk
Mcintosh be pushed Notwithstanding
his resignation, the acceptance of which
was reconsideIed by the council on ac-
count OF his unauthorized action in sign
ing the greater portion of the water bonds.
II also advises that the salary of the
health officer be reduced TO SIS a month;
that that of the city engineer be also re-
duced and that the treasurer be paid 800
instead of SIS, as the ordinance adopted
after the resignation of Isensee provides. 1t
further recites the belief Of the committee
that there has been much corruption in
the administration of municipal affairs
which il is impossible for the committee 10
prove. having no authority to summon
witnesses and compel testimony, and il
therefore urges upon the judge of the SUI
perior court the Importance of calling a
grand jury 20 investigate irregularities
and malfeasance believed to exist in city
and county offices as we'll.
The report states that ex-Deputy Col
leetor Grassett. who asked that commit
tee ho appointed to hear some startling
revelations which he proposed to make,
refused 10 answer direct questions, would
not consent TO verbatim record of his
statements aud seemed anxious only 20
divert public attention from the already
exposed actions OF officials with whom he
is believed 60 be in league. The names OF
Representative {. 1. Roth. Attorney ]. !.
Weisenburger +. Il. Mcclellan. William
Frizell and William Powell, FIVE of the
towns most reputable citizens, are at
,ached to the report. which may he said to
correctly represent the sentiments of a
very large majority OF the people
The resolution of the Board of Trade re-
quesiing the Judges of the superior court
TO cali special grand jury to investigate
the affairs of county as welt as city officers
has set many tongues to telling many new
tales OF wee. AS stated in the fosr-INrEL-
tlGEScER . few days ago, the county treas
nrer has conveyed all OF MS property by
trust deed to Victor ~ Roeder 10 further
secure the county against loss during his
term Of office. Just wby he should do
this. IL he is able now Ia satisfactorily ac-
count FOR az the money which should bc
IN his possession, does not appear. The
presumption IS that the commissioners
are not satisfied With has bond. which was
considered n good one at the time it was
given, Since then two Of the sugeties have
met with financial reverses. ana the
bond does not bear the signature OF the
wife 81 any one Of thern. While there Is
Implicit confidence in the personal intes-
riiy of the treasurer it is rumored that
theTe IS q considerable amount OF county
money tied -up In the suspended banks and
that the treasurer has been and is carrying
. considerable amount OF taxes for per
sonal friends. Ii these allegations are
true 1t may be difficult for him 20 meet all
the demands upon him as custodian OF al
county and school district funds.