The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-09-12
SEATTLE. TUESDAY. SEP. ~
wuAr ARE rae rAcrs.


The city comptroller has again rushed
into print with q long and somewhat
yiolent letter in which he seeks to defend
the present financial policy Of the city
and the condition Of the municipal treas.
ury. IL 10 unnecessary to comment upon
The personal insinuations and innuendoes
injected into the discussion by the comp
troiIer, because they are irrelevant and
absolutely without foundation.
The PosT-IxrxILfeKscxa. Whatever its
political convictions may be, owes duty
to the public. and 1t viii not be deferred
from the performance Of this duty by con-
siderations OF fear or favor.
Now as to the real question at issue:
The Posr-fsrELLIaKscER believes that
very large amount OF the money which 10
supposed 10 be in the city treasury has. in
reality, been improperly diverted and
used Cor personal and private speculstions.
Believing that this large shortage exists,
and knowing that no decided sction had
been taken in the present emergency TO
give employment to deserving laborers.
and 20 complete public work Of pressing
Importance. we assume that the city
government has taken no action on
account of depleted condition OF the
treasury.
II is idle for Mr.. Carson or for anyone
else TO attempt TO persuade the public
that If there Is actually $3oo0oo in the
city treasury no plan could DO devised
by which the comparatively small sum
OF $4,000 could be used in an emergency
like the present for the payment of
labor on the Lake Union sewer tunnel.
The men who supply materials could
take warrants and doubtless would do so.
Tho iaborers would DO the only ones who
would need protection.
To bring the discussion TO an end,
however. We make the following PROPOSE
ton in order that the truth may be
known; and in making the proposition
We disoiaim smphatieally any desire to
do personal injustice 10 Mr.. Krug or
any other public Official. We make it
solely in the interests of the people and
taxpayers of this city who have the right
to demand at least an honest administra-
ton of public affairs
Mr.. Carson in his letter SAYS: Tech
nieally speaking. l will say; That very
little. suppose. of the 500, 7OS07 Is
actually In the city treasury. never has
been, is not now and likely never will be
kept there. but is in banks of Seattle sub
ject to the order or check of City Treas
urer krug." II the city treasurer can
demonstrate TO the satisfaction of COM
mittee to consist of the finance committee
of the city council. the mayor, the cor
poration counsel. the city comptroller and
one representative from each Of the daily
papers Of Seattle that ne had in the bank,
of Seattle subject 10 his check 500. 7os. OF.
on the day fixed by the report Of the
Comptroller. and that no portion of that
smoan, has been improperly diverted 20
his personal use, we are willing to make a
public apology TO Mr.. KFus for our lack of
confidence Is TO the amount OF cash on
hand. and 10 donate $500 to any deserving
charity in the city that may be designated
by the mayor.
II she money Was, - Mr.. Carson alleges.
on deposit with Seattle banks. subject to
the check Of the city treasurer. he can
readily demonstrate il without any hard.
ship 20 himself and 10 the entire confusion
Of the rosr-iNTutIGxxcrE