The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-09-17
MEErINa OLE crrIzENs.
A Committee Appointed 90 Confer with
Prosecuting Attorney.

MEETING OF CxTIZENS.
A Committee Appointed 20 Confer with
Prosecuting Attorney.
The meeting of citizens called to con-
slider the best means to be adopted for the
prosecution Of Krug and his associates
was held in the chamber of the Merchants
and Manufacturers Association last
night IL was well attended, there being
between 300 and 800 of the leading citizens
present.
Ia anticipation of the meeting Corpora
ton Counsel Donworth had addressed a
letter to the city council suggesting that
the superior judges be asked to summon
grand jury. His letter was as follows:
"Under the law the city will have con-
troll only OF the civil actions growing out
OF this desalcat!on. The city, of course,
has no jurisdiction Of crimes against the
laws of the state. Your committee Is con-
Quoting the investigation into the affairs
OF Mr.. kyug, which will undoubtedly re-
suit in bringing to light all the facts that
can in any way assist IN protecting the
citys interest. Such q committee, how
ever. can ne of no assistance in inyesti-
eating and ferreting out those who have
been accessory to this crime. The tribu-
nal provided by Law for investigating the
transactions of extraordinary crimes is
the grand jury OF the county, which the
superior judges are authorized to summon
at such time as they see fit. The offense
OF misappropriation OF public money is
one OF the most heinous that can be com
mitted. as it tends to the destruction of
confidence in government and leads TO an
archy. All agree that whatever persons
have knowingly been accessory in any
way TO the commission of the crime of
which Mr.. krug is charged should be
punished. 1t seems 10 me, therefore, that
it would be wise for the city council to re-
quest the superior court OF this county to
cause grand jury to be SUMMONED at an
early day for thorough INVESTIGATION of
this matter"
This was made the basis of the first reso-
luton of the evening.
James s. Goldsmith called the meeting
TO order and on motion of C. T. Conover
sey acting as secretary.
Mr.. Goldsmith said this was a very seri-
Gus occasion: but Seattle has fought
many battle. and with united effort the
present difficulty can be overcome. He
thought the best plan was TO appoint n
committee TO draft memorial to the SUI
perior judges asking for the summoning
of the grand jury. They needed to go into
the inquiry entirely unprejudiced, and that
could best be done that way.
Angus Macintosh moved that q COM
miitee OF five be appointed to draft resoIu-
tions embodying the sense Of the meeting.
Amass Miller moved to make the num-
Der seven. and this was agreed 10.
The chair appointed c. L. Conover,
Angus Macintosh. Capt. Hill. Capt. Gill
more. W. IL. Humphrey, John Schram
and A. T. Burwell. The committee re-
tired 10 prepare resolutions,
A. Il. Stewart was called FOR and said the
course taken would meet with general ap-
prevail lie hoped that every guilty man,
whatever his politics. would be punished.
The best way to reach this end was by
summoning grand jury IL was a mat
ter Of great regret that the city should be
involved in such a misfortune as con-
ironted il. after it had passed safely
through period OF adversely.
Judge Burke was also called upon. He
desired only 20 saw that at a time like this
there Is very grave fear of iii results fol.
loving hasty action. The people are ex.
cited, and justly so, but he hoped that
they we're sufficiently good Americans 10
desire THAI ANY odense--no matter how
hagraut~-should 30 punished according 20
law. There Is no greater obstacle TO the
administration Of law than nl-Advised
action. The best plan is undoubtedly 10
ask the judges 90 summon the grand iury
when the matter would be probed 20 the
bottom. The city Law officers. he said
had no power 30 act In criminal prosecu
tions. lie had only 10 say thar the citi.
sens should proceed with order and good
Judgment, and appeal only 10 those means
Of Punish ment provided by the law Of the
land. Cheers
Thomas Prosch condemned the admin.
istration for having brought such a dis
grace on the city. lie commended those
officers OF the city who had taken such
prompt measures TO recover the money OF
the city ungawfuliy diverted.
/, II. Cam said the best citizens Of Sc
s'ile had assembled Republicans. Demo
Gratis snd Peoples Party men--and he ielg
tHss they would accomplish something.
ihe city had passed through a period OF
extreme pressure. They had seen their
less fortunate sister cities stnesea. with
oat failure IA our midst Now, after cur
iNeA BAD stood together, merchants, hank
ess And e1tiEenS generally unfolding one
A'"sheF. Afd when we were within reach
% seeu success as shoald command the
Sdn'iFAiioa 81 the sogld. Is vas humiliat.
iag IL have 20 face such q eAlarni,y-ths
cary treasurer IA seSeonder and his &C
c"Npi'ces helping themselves 70 the city
iandS
>enaioF s, y. FFink believed there we're
g@i4'y men IN ;his affair who should na,
- permitted % escape. The citizens
sAeasd Pai themselves before The world
Tn proper llSht
pr. q. A. Weed sAsa ina, scam. IA
taLLAA - 4