The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-12-09
SEATTLE. MONDAY. DEC. %.
EARNEST WORDS OF WARNING.

No more powerful presentation OF the
issue to be submitted to the voters tomor-
row than that contained In the letter OF
Mr.. II. G. Henry. published today. has
been offered. IT comes from the hand OF
a responsible man, and one who has the
confidence OF all who lave worked with
him or under him. How serious the con-
sequences II the people make a mistake
tomorrow and vote for the ordinance he
clearly points out. How untrue II is that
a failure TO create a new debt Of 81. 2so.o 600
viii! JeopardiEe the oity's rights he plainly
demonstrates
That last Is. indeed. the main c~onsidera-
tion with most OF those who have been
induced 20 support the ordinance. They
have been scared by men whose real pur-
poses have been pretty boldly expressed
into a belief that the city's right OF even
tual acquisition OF the Cedar river supply
can only he assured by this enormous out
lay. II they can be convinced OF the fact
that a few thousand dollars are all that
is needed 90 protect the city they could
have no other reason to vote I'm favor Of
the debt.
II Is not pretended that the city can az
ford II. but It has been made to appear that
by some hocus-pocus tho debt liability will
not be a debt.
II is not pretended that we need the wa
ter now. when We are only using 100000
gallons daily. with a pumping capacity OF
S.co.eo gallons.
II has been stated that because the wa
ter service has been a profitable venture
for tho city. It follows as a matter o.
course that a greater expenditure viii
bring corresponding returns. This Is just
the mistake made by any man who borrows
money to so into business. II his outlay
OF capital 3 too great far his volume OF
business M run tho risk OF bankruptcy.
but II he invests capital from time 10 tins
as the demands upon hts business increase
ne will be successful. The city Of Seattle
Is capitalized beyond ijs necessities. Its
charter Is too big. its expenses too big. its
debt too big for ia eiEs and resources.
There Is scarcely a Iaan Ia this city. TAX
ing an Intelligent !~ntcres: in It's Affairs.
who has not made th,s remark within the
PAST two years; yet at the first suggestion
Of mere ~lncunbraaces ne nnds a plausible
excuse for leHviaK his own good Judgment
and supporting = deet equal 90 moro than
o~ne-quarter Of tho entire bonded debt %
the city II Is orc OF The most remarkable
Instances % pervers.ty ever known 20 this
community. a Few months ago. mad tho
acknowledgement or anybody else pro
posed 10 edd a million dollars TO the city's
Indebtedness. a storm Of indignant pro-
test would have swept over tho city. IS
sklugil appeal to ~pveJutiecs on enc hand
ana 20 crcdltable hpprehensiors on The
other. a number OF oar citizens have seri-
cusiy advocated TIE monstrous addition
% our debt
In parting words. the solemn declaration
may Ne repeated that the city's rights are
not IN Jeopardy, that they can be pro
tectei With a very lnc0nsiie~aA1e outlay
81 money. and that Il hy tie iadlnefence
Of taxpayers this proposed great debt az
s1.@sAeo bo saatlea unen them they VIII
bitterly rue the day. Va nre al PRO-
foundry concerned in the welfare % the
city upon whose development oar bust
ucsses rest. ana all alske VIII have 20
suffer the consequences unless the vote
be Ne