The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-02-11

Commissioner Wolfe, OF the board OF
public works. Is reported as having testi-
fed at the investigation before Mayor
Ronald that workmen on the public works
are never employed or discharged on ac-
count OF politics.
Mr.. Wolfe testified to this effect under
oath. II would accordingly be charitable
to suppose that he does not know what
goes on in sf4 department under his
charge. Ii is almost impossible to give
him the benefit Of this charitable assump-
ton. however, for il is q well-known fact
that Commissioner Wolfe, Secretary Heif-
ner and half dozen Others form the
inside ring of the city government and
that no step in the work OF wrecking Seat
tie Ii taken without their knowledge and
support 1t 10 reasonable to suppose.
therefore, that Mr.. Wolfe is aware of the
political work which goes on under his
very nose.
Ii is fact almost too well known to
permit Of discussion that under the pres
emit city government men are employed.
others are refused employment, and others
are discharged for political reasons, and
political reasons alone. Take. for instance,
the following affidavit. which is one of
many which could be produced. asserting
facts substantially the same:
STATE OF WASHINGTON
COUNTY or KING.
Jsmes Harmon being first duly sworn upon
bis oath, deposes and says, that be 10 . citizen
OF the state OF Washington. residing at Seattle:
that he has resided for ak years last past;
that he is householder ana has q family de-
pendent upon him for support:
That In the early part OF December, 1898, AN
ant applied TO the board of public works-espe-
ciaiiy TO its secretary. G. g. Hsifner--for work
upon the streets OF the city; that ho was told to
return. and the said Heifncr took down the
number Of his family and their various ages:
that he was told then and there By the said C.
q. Heifner TO return and that his case would b
investigated in the meantime:
That on or about the 18th day OF December.
1895, afhant returned, and the said C. G. Heif-
ner then looked into a manuscript, and then
aud there informed afiant In the following
words, to-wit: Yes; know about you. Ride
out and Colman say that you would not be q
very good man for tho party" The said e g.
Heiiner thereupon informed afiant that he had
better go and zee Mr. Ryan, and afiisnt did 60
aud see Mr. Ryan, aud Mr.. Ryan sent him back
to Mr.. Heiiner and the board of public works.
That on the Sd day OF December, 1898. affiant
met Rideout. the man referred to by Secretary
Heiiner, and the said Rideout said to him: al
see you are not ut work yet" Affiant replied:
.'No; not yet" Then tho said Rideout said to
afiant: "You had better fall in line an we are
going TO put iots of boys TO WORK
tsEALj JAMES HARMON
subscribed in my presence and sworn to DO
fore me this 22d day OF January. 1894.
W. T. scorr,
Notary public In and for the state of Washing
ington, residing at Seattle.
Rideout and Colman, il should be ex-
planned, are well-known Democratic strik-
ers aud ward heelers.
Many workingmen can testify that they
have been refused employment on similar
grounds. AS 10 employing and diseharg-
ing men for political reasons. does ybody
have the hardihood to assert that City
Engineer Thomson and Andrew Jackson
were discharged for any reasons other
than political2 Or that the determined
and successful effort TO force the employ
ment of Robert Bridges was anything but
political move?
Ii Is currently reported that Commas
sioner Wolfe was personally opposed to
the removal of City Engineer Thomson
on the ground that it would be bad poll
tics" When he was informed. however.
that the Democratic committee had de.
cided that Thomson should 20 he re-
sponded Every we'll, gentlemen. you are
responsible. Ii you decide that he must
80, he must. /, took greater pressure"
To bring Cochran into line, but Wolfe
obeyed his orders at once.
Yet, with such an array of facts, Mr..
Wolfe tesufes on oath that the question
OF politics does not enter into the en-
ployment and discharge OF workmen! One
can almost suppose that Jove would have
hurled thunderholt II ii had not been for
the danger of striking the mayor as well as
the witness.