The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-12-11

tir,e. one month: due. May -. 1sst.
amount, 81 5ss; interest. 70 per cent; paid,
May q. Iss4-
er favender 81 Fowler. indorser, none;
time. three rnonths: due August =. 1ssi.
amount. sseas interest. 10 per cent paid,
August -. 1874
pate Of note. July :. 1884: No. 7ss. max
er Caveusier & Fowler: iuiorserS. C 4.
Caven6er and George ". Fewler: time.
one month due. August :, 1884: amount.
81 800. interest n per cent. rot naii-
Date OF nefe August .. isss; No. ~;
maker, Cavender n Fowler. indorser.
none. time. three months. due. November
- fsa4. amount. s.. go: interest. 70 per
cent. paid. February : 1856.
'Date Of note. September 1. 1924: NJ. -:
maker. C4venier Il Fowler: ind0rser.
none. time. three months. due. Decenoer
I. TS34, amount 81 -; interest, 70 per cent:
paid. February :. Fsea
ssnsta Of note. february !. 1895: No -.
maker. Csvenaer - Fowler. iniorsers.
George W Fowler and G. a. Cavender;
time three months: due May J. 1896.
amount. 81 interest. 70 per cent. not
paid.
1T fs n evidence before your committee,
from Mr. Cavenaer himself. thar during
All OF the time that he has been acting as
chairman of the finance committee Of the
city council down - the day that the
~
his power II obtain from sad hank every
dollar that ne could n behalf Of the city.
Yet the records OF said bank 20 10 show
that his efforts 70 DO this we're very inter-
m.ttent: that when he obtained a pay
ment for the city ne was apt 70 follow X
up by making n loan for Cavender *
Fowler Had he gone 70 the Bank OF Ia
coma and obtained from il the S6.5o0 which
ne now owes said hank. together with in
terest thereon. without having given his
note for the same, there would be- no qnes-
ton in the mind of any one that upon the
proof OF this Mr. Cavender would have
been technically guilty of taking bribes
from said bank in his official capacity as a
councilman and as chairman Of the finance
committed That state Of aNafrs. how
ever has been CLOSED over by said Cav
ender giving hs nofks 10 said hank and
apparently making loans in the due course
Of business: hut ii is 4 well-kaown fact
that said Cavender during sad time was
practically without credit. and for most of
the time Judgments were being coniinu-
ally rendered asainst him in the superior
court Of Pierce county. Some Of the paper
upon which he made these loans was
secured by certain collateral. but the col
lateral IN 50 far as 1t has come 70 the
knowledge OF your comittee. is practically
worthless and no bank in this city would
ever loan a man dollar upon such secur-
ity There is no question in the minds or
your committee that when said bank made
the aforesaid loans 10 said Lavender &
Fowler. said bank knew that sad so-called
loans were practically a gift Of 50 much
cash At no tine since said loans were
made has said Cavender, or the said firm
n CaVender & Fowler, been able 10 pay
the same. or any part thereof. and at the
present time confess themselves to be alb
solutely unable to pay even sl5 Of interest
on the last-mentioned note OF S6.4Ss.
1T is in evidence that when the press Of
this city began 10 publish articles limiting
that certain counc.lnen had ocen recetN-
ing unusual favors at the hands Of the
Bank Of Tacoma. and especially council
men who were members of The finance
committee. that said Cavender attempted
on several occasions to deceive and delude
city officials and other citizens of the city
IN regard 20 the actual state Of affairs con-
cerning his financial transactions with ahe
SAID bank. IT is in evidence that he went
TO a certain officer of the Bank Of Tacoma
and told him that he. CavendeT. had made
the statement to the Ledger that all Of
his money transactions with the Bank or
Tacoma since he had been a councilman
were simply for the renewal Of loans which
be had made prior to his election as coun-
Gilman: and the said Cavender then re-
uuested the said officer Of the Bank or
Tacoma 10 see IL the hooks Of the Bank of
Tacoma could not be fixed up so that they
would Corroborate the statement which he
had made to the Ledger. and show that
his transactions with the bank since he
had been councilman were simply for re-
nawals of loans made before he was elect
ed 10 the council. II is n evidence that he
did make the statement to the Ledger
which the aforesaid officer of the Bank Of
Tacoma sets forth. and 1t is also in evil
denCe that he has told different officials OF
The city the same story on different occd-
sfons to-wit that his financial transac-
Of -
has been councilman were simply renew
ais Of loans that he had made prior TO his
election.
1T is with the utmost regret that your
committee feel called upon to make this
report uron the official conduct of the said
Cavender. The majority of the members
Of your committee We're earnest and active
L in securing the nomination and the election
of said Cavender, and now 20 be compelled
10 set forth facts which show so clearly
his total incompetency. inefficienCy gross
neglect and the prostitution of a public
trust for personal gain, IS a matter of deep
est regret 10 your committee. Yet the facts
as they exist and are known 20 the com
mittee are due 10 the public Irrespective
OF any sentiment So much as 30 the loss
OF city funds, as YOU are all familiar,
through court proceedings. with the con-
nection other banks have had with them
Concerning the present city admnistra-
mont rs its fault IS incompetency rather
than dishonesty; and one Is not necessarily
censurahle for what he does not know.
The fault lies rather with those who are
responsible for the election Of incompetent
men to office with the best possible in
tsrtion a t1orougciy competent watch
maker might ne a signal ca lure as q black
smith and n making selection among can
d.aates for office it IS as essential that We
should consider the:r fitness by reason of
preceding occupation ana experience. as
that We should De assured Of their integ-
rirv. for our careful invest cation has
made evident 70 your COMM ttee the fact
that incspac.ty has been productive OF
greater loss 10 the city than dishonesty
From the knowledge Of your commit
toe as regards past adm mist rat!oUs of the
executive office 81 tie city of Tacoma. ara
from itS investigation % the present ad-
ni.u.-tratton. IL IS the Judgment of your
committee that Edward s orr has been
during hs term one Of the best mayors
-ha- Tacoma has ever had. His admins
t~5ton has been clean honest and straight
forward in 20 FAR as be- was ahle 20 make
.r Yo.r committee are FIRMLY convinced
that when MAYOR Orr took Off ~ FL VAS his
fXcd determination 20 administer the at-
Ia IS of his office for the hast Interests OF
sI1 concerned. ana that according ~ bis
Iget DE haS pursaci this course through
bis a1rl. .rt@trstioG. TIE principal fault IN
the administration Of tae mayors aaf
which your cornu7ittees .uve~, .Iaf.19 has
developed. has been a lack ~ fitness eoI
broad ctseral business eVpeTfe roe on the
part OF the present tnc}Iuhe1t. which s M
-,'y goes 10 show thar Ia selecting or r1li-
n.-.pal otfi -ers tae business qualifications
~ a man should ae quite As much con-
z.a---.f f-- a.fasf 0F hss asrF.