The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-02-05

20 tie reporter who found him az his res
icence on Rainier Heights Saturday even
ing. Mr. Frink was saferipg from .
severe headsche ard wzs for a tine d.sin-
clined 20 talk for publication. In the
course Of an extended conversation. how
ever. he said many things bearing upon
the present and prospective municipal
situation, and expressed himself TO the
following effect:
The present administration took charge
OF the city affairs TWO years ago under the
most favorable conditions. All we're
elected By big majorstses. sEowing that
the people had confidence In their solemn
and oft-repeased promises. and insrusted
wishou. reserve the city government 70
their keeping. They had absolute con-
troi Of both branches OF the council, put
men OF their Own choosing ~ the heads a.
the different departments. and under the
plea Of reform removed both officials
and sEb0rdinates. who were not known TO
be ia sympathy with the head OF the city
government. regardless Of past service or
ability TO serve. The $50 go OF bonds
voted by the people just prior TO their
coming into power. came into their hands
az once. This, with the largely increased
revenue, placed them in q position TO
carry on much needed improvements for
the bettaring and Identifying our city.
Ihat they have not met the expectations
of the people - evident. Mayor Ronaid's
statement IN his annual message that not
vithstasding the defalcattons exceeding
So. 600 the administration had been able
10 paw cash for ali purchases-whiie 1t Is
an evidence OF the Iiberaiity of our citi-
xens. and their readiness TO vote the funds
necessary. for nproyements--shows the
gross injustice done by the present ad-
rninistration TO q contidiug and trusting
pubic.
"0ne Of the essentials lacking in our
present city administration IS harmony on
the part OF those who have the interest of
the city a. heart. They have been ham
pered In their desires 10 do what is right
by q lot Of scheming. corrupt politicians.
whose only aim seems to be TO map out a
plan for q continuance of their power, re-
gardiess of the injury TO the city or the
city's interest.
Another marked defect is the lack of
business ability in the heads of the several
departments, the results being heavy losses
to the taxpayers. Our money has been
thousands of dollars have been spent, for
which no adequate values have been given
the citizens, the best illustration being the
present unsatisfactory work being done In
connection with the sewer system. In
other words the frantic cries of reform
made two years ago were only bind to
get into power. and the assurances and
promises OF an economic administration
were forgotten the moment they were in
trusted with the affairs of the city aud its
treasury. IL Is notorious fact that among
their many pie-crusty promises made at
that time was one to the effect that they
would reduce the taxes for the people,
whereas IN truth their incompetency. dis
sension and dishonesty have resulted in
actually increasing the burden OF taxation
until today the taxes are greatly In excess
That's reform with vengeance.
The people. however, are a. a
rule fully aware of the situation
and know that their only remedy lies at
the polls; they are now realizing the fact
that in order to secure true reform and
true economy in the administration of
municipal affairs il is necessary 10 put
men At the heads of the different depart
ments who have records for honesty, busi-
ness capacity end executive ability. | be-
lieve that the Republican party. and the
citizens generally, in making their selec-
tions will be influenced solely by these
considerations. This is already notice
able in the great interest taken in the va
rious ward clubs which are now being at
tended by the respectable element OF the
business men and the taxpayers who
never before paid any attention to these
matters. and their continued lively inter
est must result in bringing 10 the front
good, honest and practical. men. | am
firm in the belief that the ticket TO be
given to the public bv the Republican
convention-whichm meets on the 2lth, jest
three weeks from today--will be one that
can safely be Endorsed by not only Repub-
licans, but by all good citizens eager for
good government.
THE one great demand of the citizens
today is economy. They not only demand
economy, bat also that the best interests
oil the city shall be looked after in an I'M
selfish spirit; for Instance, that our streets,
that are today IN most deplorable con-
dition, shall be looked after In other
words, the citizens believe that the taxes
and other revenues of the city are ample
to give them welI-kept and we'll governed
city, and they propose 10 have it, Should
the Republican party If placed in power
fail TO meet these requirements il will meet
the same Just criticism ana denunciation
at the hands of the people that is now so
loudly condemning the present admins
tration. The people demand something
more than promises OF reform; they want
the actual reform that eases the burden to
the taxpayer.
Among other things, / believe that the
number OF officials created by the present
charter should be decreased. There are,
To my way of thinking. too many high
paid bosses in proportion 10 the common
laborers employed. or the men who do
tue actual hard work, for tho good OF
the city. Our money is paid out for
high salaries tn men who do not give
an equivalent for it 10 the city. As an
Illustration. we were told a year ago, dur
ing the prevalence of the deem snow. that
our force of laboring men had been re-
duced To thirteen AT time when At least
100 men should have heea employed but
IL was observed at the time that no redue-
ton MAS made in the number of salaried
officials. Now, II these changes and re-
auctions cannot be made without a re-
modelling Of the charter, then | certainly
should favor eh arter revision on this point
at is highly important that at the COM
ing election only men of well-known in-
tegrity and business capacity should be
selected TO MI the coming vacancies In the
board of aldermen and house OF delegates.
This being legislative body, If il is not
composed of such nien they will greatly
hamper any and every effort made toward
rectlfylEg the many wrongs that exist to-
dav
Il believe that the heads of the different
departments. such as the water and enri.
neer's, should be iilled by men thoroughly
competent aud c0nVersant with not only
our own water system bat with that OF
every otOer knoNn system. 80 that they
could give US the greatest amount of pure
water NJ the feast possible cost; and also
give Us q good sewerage system covering
the largest sgrfsce OF our city at the least
possible cost. The present water and
sewer system OF this city Is not only I'M
satisfactory and expensive. but If carried
out ou the hRe nov proposed. to an ex-
tent sufficient - give an ample water and
sewerage sapply. Il Will bankrupt this
F.x1si Il tall
economic results. The digging o. erpen-
sLNn iLEnE-.Ls LL-..h .......