The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-10-01

DonxalI. who conducted the inquiry in IFS
behalf. Mr.. Thomas prosch. its chairman,
makes the following statement:
There has been some public i1ariry as
20 the work done by the citizens commit
tee Of ten, and some unkind criticisms OF
It's Supposed SHORTCOMINGS ~ q matter
little outside the line Of It's original Iaris-
oict10n- Tue chairman ot the cofnfa1isee
has prepared this statement. which Ell
plains all.
'On the evening Of September Is. a.
the meeting Of citizens hssd under tns
auspices Of the Merchants and Manu-
facs1FeTs Exchanges, the resolution foiios-
Ing. presented By q COMMITTEES OF seven
spposnte.i Al . meeting heid on ne sasus-
day evening previous, was adopted
'Kstefred, That the chairman OF TINS
meeting be requested 70 appoint citizens
committee composed o. ten persons,
whose duty IL shall Be 10 assist the prose-
eating attorney aud the corporation eoun-
sci in the apprehension and prosecution OF
the guilty persons. said COMMITTEES 20 oe
appointed after the adjournment o. TINS
meeting
The guilty persons referred 70 were
the individuals who had engaged IN loot
ing the city freas1ry.
''In aecordance with the resolution
James g Goldsmith. the chairman. ap-
pointed MessrA Thomas w. Proseh, G. n
sneafe. X. Gottstsin, :. y. jackson, j. b.
MacDougall, James Cosh. ID. A. Spencer,
Angus Macintosh. ]. VI. Frink and A.
VI. Brookes members OF the committee
The committee has held several meet
ings and has undertaken the WORK as
signed il. What il has attempted 20 do
and what it has accomplished may De
stated here.
sThe state Law. enacted last winter, pro-
d. fnf fRfFk
one officer in cases Of extradi.ion. Sheriff
Woolery informed the COMMITTEES that an
assistant was necessary to insure the re-
turn Of krug. the defaalting treasurer.
that the expenses Of a second man TO and
from 90. Paul would he about $780, and
that be could not afford individually TO
incur the outlay. The committee recog-
nized the need Of two men for such a serv-
ice and authorized the sheriff TO employ q
helper, guaranteeing the payment OF ex-
penses not exceeding $lO0for the return of
krug TO Seattle.
.'Ihe committee thought Ii would be
wei to have the papers and accounts Of
the city treasury examined by a qualified.
unpreludieed expert. and recommenda-
ton to that effect vas mads to the finance
committee OF the council, then engaged in
the investigation. The finance committee
gave favorable heed 10 the suggestion and
has since employed two experts in the
work.
considering the Parker defalcation of
1Ss9 directly in its line inquiry was insti-
tuted rs TO the status OF proceedings
therein. IL Has learned that the court
had referred the mattss 10 an attorney:
that the testimony and arguments had
been heard long ago. and that the attorney
hoped within \ fortnight 20 present his
findings 10 the court.
The city has needed bondsmen to the
amount of seyeras hundred thousand dol
lars IN connection with the prosecutions
recently begun. The committeeman have
assumed a large proportion OF these obli-
cations. and in addition thereto have in
duced other men To- assist.
1.-The committee has offered further help
In the direction of ITS duty as defined in
the resolution foregoing. ahd if there is
anything more il can do it will do it cheer
fully and completely.
'fhe attention of the committee has
been called TO toe building of the new
county hospital, and one of its members,
Mr.. MacDougaii. was authorized TO make
inquiries With a view TO presentation of
the matter TO the superior court. The in
yestigation was made. and made with
much labor aud care, and the result re-
ported to the committee September 70.
The committee then concluded that as the
grand jury had been called, and was that
day being empane!led and charged,
that IL was the inquistorial body
OF the county, sworn, paid, in
s.ructed and helped, with every
possible opportunity 10 investigate law
breaking and crime; and that rs the mat
ter was out of the direct line of the COM
mittee's commission. and inquiry by il
would necessarily be unsatisfactory and of
doubtful value. that no action as a CON-
mittee should be taken, but that the CON-
mittee men should unite in a statement to
the court. and leave il to the Judge TO take
such action In the premises as he deemed
proper and best. This was done at once.
the paper signed by the nine men present
and mailed within an hour 10 Judge
Humes. There WAS no attempt TO sup
press anything or whitewash anybody,
the idea Of one and all being TO place the
inquirv where it belonged, where it could
be thoroughly made. and where its max
ing would mean something. 1t is not at
ali probable that the committee would
have taken the first step had :t known
that the grand jury would be so specifically
charged 20 inquire into the matter. The
committee maze no investigation of the
krug crimes. leaving that matter wholly
with the proper authorities: merely as
sisting' when able so TO do. So with the
county hospital; If the committee men
can give aid 10 the court, the grand Jury
or the prosecuting attorney. IL will be
given freely and fully with no thought of
fear or favor on the part of any one.
THOMAS W. PRoscH'