The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-03-16

The excitement attending the municipal
election has passed away. but the dis
closures made since that event show that
the new administration has stupcndous
task before il.
Two years ago the Democrats went into
power with full treasury and with bonds
voted with which to put the city almost
on a cash basis. The people have since
voted sufficient bonds to meet the out
standing warrants. but owing to the delay
In disposing Of them there is still def
cheney. The people also voted $3.50 900 for
sewers. How that money was squandered
was partly made known 70 the taxpayers
by the Posr- tsrxLLTeEScKR and an inves-
tigation was ordered by the mayor.
Figures were sworn to with the object Of
proving that the estimates had not been
exceeded; and. during the campaign, tho
head OF the finance department busted
himself on the stump showing how hon.
estly and economically the Democratic
administration had conducted its affairs.
At ttrat time no had no hesitation in
claiming TO 'know all about It," Now,
when he Is confronted with the damn
ing evidence of recklessnes.. he shields
himself behind the plea that "he didn't
know IL.
Mayor Ronald admits in an official COM
munication that an ''error" of no less
than $40. 900 existed as TO the Front street
sewer alone. and that ii was not discov-
cred until Wolfe. Cochran, Heifner and
Edwin Hall Warner had been removed
and the books transferred from Superin-
tcndent Ryan to City Engineer Thomson.
He admits that while witnesses were
swearing that the West street sewer would
be completed for less than the estimate
the account was overdrawn by A,il7s5.
Front street and Commercial street have
already exceeded the appropriation by
SIS, &23.02; Main street by $3,2i7io; Re-
publican and Brook streets By s., iT0 80:
Kenny street sewer by -. s9L IL; altogether
So. 10
The sewer bonds proceeds amounted to
$2S3ooo. The amount already appronri-
ated is S2l0. 200. so that the money left is
short by sio. aa0 of the amount required TO
complete the sewers ordered.
Witnesses swore that all poor brick had
been rejected. although others swore that
Wolfe ordered them 10 DO accepted. This
mayor now declares officially that the city
has 5000 brick on It's hands which was so
inferior that i, could not be used on The
sewers. The city has paid so3.. 30 for this
rotten brick.
All this Vas denied during the Wolfe
and Cochran trial The city comptroller
didn't know anything about 1t. lie SAYS.
! II - certain he never officially suggested a
doubt tina. all was correct The mayor
| could not prove il ill he had thrust .h.
members OF the board and the secretary
and Ci,y Engineer Warner cut o: office.
Nobody knew Ii. II anybody knew il, he
never limited al IL II s. man employed IN
the csiy department. dared 10 admit the
| Possibility Of anything being wrong be
was Immediately discharged.
The mischief has been stopped. but the
consequences exist and they must he me
by the new MAYOR. the city council and
the board Of pabiie works acting in har-
mony. With a sole view TO immediate and
rigid economy. The outgoing council has
. been hasy ever since election spproprias-
ing money for nsw sssers. street plankins
aud electric lights, aud the mayor has
signed the ordinances. Some OF these
should ee Immediately repealed. and the
lnten.ion OF the defeated Democrats, 10 in.
yo.ve the Republican administration In
financial difficulties frustrated as FAR as
possible.