The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-06-24
THETACOMA COUNCIL.
Board Of Works, Boggs' Funds
and Chief of Police.
PREACHER GUILTY or ISLANDER.
Arrival Of the China Steamer sfkh-Es'
eefvsr 20 Be Asked for the o. y.
an. Co. Tomerrsv.


President Harris, of the city council. as
4 member of the finance COMMITTEES de-
manded the resignation OF the board OF
public works.
Ex-City Treasurer Boggr was formally
requested to turn over TO the city sfSo.Vo
of city funds reported on hand when ne
left the Office Of city treasurer.
ID. o. Smith, city detective, was con-
frmed chief Of police
Harris demand for the resignation OF
the board OF public works was the most
Startling and the demand for the city
funds was the most important TO the city.
Neither demand was complied with. The
board, through President Rydstrofn, point.
blank refused 70 resign.
Mr. Boggs asked for day or two more
IA which TO present bonds. which will be
accepted as collateral by the city council
for money reported on deposit In
several OF the banks of the city. Bonds
acceptable to the finance committee,
covering about one-third of the aggregate
amount of funds reported on hand, were
presented. These bonds are for Is per
cent. above the amount reported on de-
post, and are 20 be accepted as additional
security. After the bonds are presented
and accepted inquiry will be made into
not proposed to accept the bonds in lieu
of the cash. Mr.. Boggs' bondsmen have
not yet been relieved. and the question
as 10 the cash being forthcoming for the
amounts reported locked up in banking
institutions which have suspendsd-about
$40, 000-hss not been settled. In fact.
that matter did not come up today when
Mr.. Boggs was formally asked TO turn
over the money. However, it is under
stood the bondsmen OF the ex-city treas
urer will be held responsible in case OF
contest of any kind. The Bank of
Tacoma, formerly the Tacoma Trust and
Savings bank, which has the principal de-
posit--oyer $4,000, as last reported By
Mr. Boggs-has had q bond prepared for
some time. but the finance committee of
the council has been notified that the
presence of Nelson Bennett to go on the
same Is essential. Some time ago, when
the Posr-IsTELLIsEscrR referred incident
ally TO Mr. Benefits connection with
this bank, it was vigorously denied that
he maintained such connection.
There are numerous citizens who have
been displeased because the city council
has not manifested more haste in closing
mp the affairs of the city treasurer's office.
Two reasons are stated IN accounting for
the policy of making haste slowly:
As has been stated in the PosT-IsrELII-
sHscE1 from time to time, the policy of
fhosc desiring the financing OF city funds
in the interest of the taxpayer was to
avoid embarrassing the ex-city treasurer
or the banks having funds on deposit.
And second, mos. OF the Populist mem
bers, having been charged with being of a
sociaiistio tendency and indiscreet in
matters OF this kind, have felt the re-
sponsibility resting upon them and have
grown accordingly cautious.
The finance committee has been making
haste slowly, according to this plan, for
three weeks. The getting up of satisfac-
tory bonds has been tedious task under
the existing circumstances. Some men,
somewhat, as to this security, and matters
have moved slowly.
In the meantime the new city treasurer.
Mr.. MeCauley. has been instructed by the
finance committee not to receipt for any
thing but cash. He has received over
$50, 600 already from the account OF the
late city treasurer. So, 900 OF which had to
be sent 20 @. II. Wright at Philadelphia
~ interest on the water plant bonds.
Next week, IL is expected. the entire COM
PIGMENT of bonds for deposits will be pre-
scented. and the matter viii then be in
shape for final action.
President Harris demand for the resig-
nation Of the board of public works was
brought about through a report which he
received that the members of the board
would refuse to accept the cut In their
salaries from 5000 10 81. 500, as ordered by
an ordinance known as the general salary
reduction ordinance. Mr.. Harris went TO
the board and asked If his information was
correct lie was informed that II was.
"Then demand the immediate resigna-
ton OF the board" This somewhat startled
the phlegmatls Mr.. Rydstrom, and he
promptly refused 20 vamoose. Harris
went downstairs and requested City
Attorney Wickersham 20 prepare an
opinion on the point whether the board
could eouunue in office and refuse to ae-
cept the reduction. The board holds that
IL Is not compelled 90 accept reduction
alter it has been chosen TO otsicc under
another salary standard. Mr.. Wickershan
did not present has opinion. and Council
man Thompson. a pepnllst. handed up
resolution declaring the sense OF
the council 90 90 that there should
De an amendment 60 the charter doing
away with the board. aud that It's duties
should be performed by other salaried of.
ncers of the city. meaning thereby that
the mayor, city surveyor and street. CON-
missioner as In cities twice tho sizs of
this. shall perform the duties now devasv-
ing upon the board. An election by the pec-
pie viii he required - amend the charter.
bat taxpayers generally consider the board
useless luxury. This board has been
considered the political center OF the city.
and of course. insSmuch - 10 has nearly
all the city employees under its iurisdie-
ton. IL has had much 20 yer. considerable
OF which has been wasted. however.
II. q. Smiths appointment was = sur-
prise. as 10 vas understood that before his
name came IN Frank Vaughan would Re
given a chance before the council. Mayor
Orr. however. sent Ia Croske's name agaln
and IL Was rejected. wherenpon be sent in
Detective Smiths appointment and il was
confirmed. Smith has worked under
LINK Davis, who has been chief
under the Hasoa administration, and
fought Cs0sks toa finish for the appoini-
ment sgsin. Both Davis and Cxoake's
friends claim victory in the appointment
Of Smith. bat the grapes are pretty sour.
II the compromise combination resulting
In Smiths appointment vas friendly to
Davis he vii rrooS6sy he made captain OF
police. and II CroSke - 10 lie considered
he wiA ges that position. and Al that
event, II the combination j. even more far
reaching. Davis vii oe given Smiths cd
shoes IS Detective. croske does not lonE for