The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-06-05

may b unjussiy interpreted. will say
that do mot own single dollar OF city
warrants. or bonds. o. other evidence Of
city indebtedness Ny only object in writ
ing this letter - 20 express Q conscientious
CONVICTION ihst the course proposed is wise
and for the best interests Of all the citizens,
without regard 70 class or avocation. Very
respectfully. L b. AxpsEws.
SEATTLE. June 5, 1928.
To rHE EpfroR: As q citizen and tax
payer of the city Of Seattle and deeply in
teressed in its development. progress and
fiscal standing and welfare, will you grant
me space 70 show the reason Why shall
vote for all the propositions to bond the
city for the objects and purposes stated in
the ordinances published and to be sub
United 70 the legal voters Of the city on
Tuesday next.
First-The sewer propositions
Il - proposition too plain for argu-
ment that An efficient sewer system is not
only preventative OF deadly contagious
with all their suderings and sorrows. but
II preservative Of health and vigorous life.
With its bounding hopes and multiplied
Joys. II is the imperative duty Of the pub
Tic authorities to do whatever is necessary
to preserve the public health. A wanton
neglect OF that duty is a crime and moro
than crime in its terrible consequences.
1t - duty, not due to the -Four Hun
ored" alone, but especially 10 it due to the
poor and lowly. II has for its broad base
humanity and tho brotherhood of man.
But the public authorities can only efYec-
lively act BY the authority Of the people
and BY the use Of means furnished by the
people for the public welfare.
Two tunnels. costing large amount of
money and running through rim ridges,
planned by scientific hydraulic engineers
and eminently adapted to the purpose Of
effective sewerage. are about completed. SO
far - excavations are concerned. To save
money already expended and to fully ac-
compilsh the beneficent purpose had in
view these tunnels must be lined with
brick or cement. Money 10 wanted for
that purpose. Ought il be refused? Can
an intelligent and conscientious voter give
other than negative answer to this ques-
ton! think not. 1t Is manifest that the
meney can only BE- raised in one Of two
ways-by taxation or the issuance Of
bonds. filtration were desirable or prac-
tical It Is too late to think Of the matter.
But Is 1t desirable? These sewers are
permanent improvemenfs-not q tenn
porary expedient for the hour, bu: for oil
time. When completed their beneficial
use will be limited. a. compared with the
fuller use arising from larger population
and vastly greater taxable valuations,
Judging the future by tho past. at the end
oftwenty years the payment of the princi.
pal will require q less per capita or lower
per cent. than the payment of the interest
by the present population and the present
valuation.
five pay the interest then on these
bonds and a. compensation enjoy the hene-
hcial use Of these sewers, made. necessary
by every consideration founded on the
promotion Of the public health and the
public welfare. have We not fully dis
charged every duty owing to ourselves or
to our successors7
Then there 10 another consids ration.
Times are hard. Money is close. The
current is in, not out. The incoming
breakers are near; their roar is already
heard, and opportunities for employment
are daily growing less. Under these cir
cumstances it is proposed to loosen up,
uncover and put in circulation nearly half
q million Of dollars. and to expend them
ava seSOs ""~ uSSseaa0As Az varying IOTWdTu
and completing the main arteries of the
sewer system Of this city. In conclusion
upon this point you will permit me to say,
Mr.. Editor. that there ID . logical incon-
sistency in the position Of some men that
mystifies me. They say the circulation Of
money IL too small, yet they vote against
all propositions to increase il; locally they
say there Is no opportunity for employ
ment. yet when it Is proposed to provide
the means for such employment they vote