The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-02-14
FUNDING OLD DEBTS.
Seattle Has No Reason to Re-
greet Its Liability.
Why WARRANTS WE'RE ISSUED.
Corpoxasioa Counsel Donworth's Views
"A Tinely 9xplaaasaeu.

upon the legal questions which Seattle
must confront, Corporation Counsel Dom
worth states that the valuation Of and
funding of outstanding warrants must re-
ceive early attention. There are now out
standing more than $500, ZOO of warrants
for the payment of which no provision has
been maie. They are, he says, an inheri-
lance from former administrations
and are the result of prac-
tice which formerly obtained
OF paying no regard to the relative proper
tons OF receipts and disbursements. The
constitution of the state requires that
after city has become indebted to the ex-
tent of ~ per cent. no further expendi-
ture shall be allowed unless it is to
be paid out of the income of
the city during the current
year. or it is assented to by
three-fiftns of the voters at an election
held for the purpose. The constitution
plainly requires each city to keep within
its income unless the voters authorize =
greater expenditure. This principle has
been forgotten in Seattle ever since the
constitution was adopted for reasons that
need no statement at this time.
What Mr.. Donworth says is true, in
part, but it is apt to mislead unless it is
accompanied by the explanation that the
laws of the Seattle of 1886, with
q population of 5000 or less, found
itself bound in its phenomenal
growth by restrictions, which, if permitted
to prevail, would have strangled it. The
constitution was not ignored or forgotten.
Conditions had changed so rapidly that
the law and not the city had to give way.
Had the citizens of Seattle in the famous
mass meetings Of 1889 not resolved with
the stamp of its honor to warrants neces-
sary for the rebuilding of the city on new
and broad lines, but which were in excess
Of law already Anticipated, although only
three years old. Seattle would have died
in its struggles for supremacy a. the
metropolis of the Northwest.
The liabilities incurred while the city
was yet hot in its ashes were not incurred
In ignorance or in recklessness; and the
comparatively small extravaganza of those
days was the mere overfowing from q
cup filed to the brim by the generous
hands of q confident. indomitable and
self-reliant people.
The obligations of the city must be met.
If they are met by statesmen, the city will
scarcely feel the inevitable disadvantages
brought by day of reckoning.
The people of Seattle have no reason to
be ashamed Of their action or to regret
their enterprise: it is the business of the
government Of the present and the future
to SO shape the discharge of liabilities as
shall best carry out the purpose of the
people and advance the interests of the
city.
With Mr.. Donworth's conclusions, how
ever no taxpayer will quarrel. He says:
In my judgment however, the time has now
come, If it ever will come, when the constitu-
ton should be obeyed. The city council, in
making the tax levy in September last, acted
upon the correct principle that such sum
of money should be levied In taxes
a., with other sources OF revenue, will be
sufficient to pay all the expenses OF the city
government for the year 1898. The bad infiu-
ence Of the former practice 10 hard to drive
away. and we are constantly informed that
certain expenses are necessary, so necessary as
to justify disobeying the law. In my
judgment no such excess Of expenditures
should b permitted for any purpose and NO
warrants should be drawn unless provision has
been made for some certain means OF payment,
either by money already in the treasury or taxes
levied. BY enforcing economy In the govern
ment the resources OF the city for the present
year should be ample to meet all needed ex-
penseS
For the purpose of paying the warrants now
outstanding have drawn bill which has been
introduced in the legislature authorizing cities
to validate and fund outstanding warrants. This
bill, ! have no DOUBT, will be passed at an
early day 1t will then be incumbent
upon the city council to submit to the voters of
the city after thirty days notice the question of
validating and funding these warrants. and
there should DO nc doubt as to the result OF the
election. AS no citizen OF Seattle wishes
to see any instrument bearing the city's
seal dishonored. think it 10 due the voters,
however, to assure them that this IL the last
time that their assent will be asked to PROPOSE
ton to fund any excess warrants, aud that here.
after no indebtedness will be incurred unless
their assent IL asked and procured In advance.
1t is not the enterprise of the days
when liberality was the salvation of the
city, which should be condemned. The
duty of tho administration is to guard
against unnecessary expenditure now and
for the future.