The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-03-06
TO GET EVEN WITH BOWMAN.
Writers Reply to Jordan's Charge OF
ATTEMPTED Bribery.

Attempted Bribery.
E F. Whittier has replied to the charge
of Alderman ]. Eugene Jordan that he
attempted to buy the latter's silence re-
garding the obstruction of Lewis street
at the time the Union Trunk Line was
building its Rainier Heights branch. and
his reply is positive denial OF the
charge MIR. Jordan charged that Mr.
Whittier, then president OF the Union
Trunk Line. offered him 500 and life
pass il he would stop the fight against
the piiing OF earth on Lewis treet, and
City Clerk Stewart. by order of the board
OF aldermen, wrote to Mr.. Whittier, in
forming him OF the charge. enclosing the
Post-Intelligeneer's report OF the pro-
ceedings. and asking for his reply. Mr..
Whittier replied as follows:
st. Louis. Feb. q, 1855.
Hon. Board OF Observation-Disclosures:
I am in receipt of a communication
signed r. +. Stewart. city clerk, Of Feb
ruary 8. 1895. informing me that ]. Eugene
Jordan has accused me OF an offer to
bride in connection with some legislat ton
affecting the Union Trunk Line request
ing me to inform you when I could he
present to offer defense to said accusa-
ton. In answer will say that I expect to
be In Seattle some time during the month
OF May next. at which time am not only
willing, but anxious that most search
ing investigation should be had, but until
said investigation can be held, permit me
to assure your honorable body that said
charges are absolutely false. and the
fact that both witnesses, your honorable
chairman, and Mr.. G. A. Upper, that the
gentleman cites as being cognizant Of said
offer. stated that they knew nothing OF
such an offer. When said investigation
takes place ! expect not only to prove
said charges false. but prove that DR..
Jordan's every Official act affecting the
Union Trunk Line has been actuated by
private interests and righteousness.
When the gentleman first introduced
the resolution for the removal of earth
from Lewis street I called upon him in
person to know the reason, explaining to
him that the waste earth would be re-
Quired in low places when Lewis street
came to be graded, to which he answered
that he owned six LOIS on said street and
that when the street was graded that he
would have to pay his proportion OF re-
moving said earth, whereupon informed
him that there was no earth In front OF
his lots. and requested him to go out
with me to investigate. which he did. Ar
irving upon the ground he took In the sit-
uation carefully and informed me that
while there was no earth In front OF his
lots, IL the entire street was graded
i'm one contract his lots would have to
bear the proportionate cost OF removing
said earth and that he must insist on
pushing the resolution. which he did. and,
TO quote his own language. made II
pretty hot for Them" meaning the Union
Trunk Line.
IT charge him with maliciousness be-
cause of his resolution introduced in your
house compelling the Union Trunk Line
TO put two men on each of Its cars at
time when the receipts were less than
expenditures, and when the company had
successfully without accident operated
some of its cars for years with but one
man. I again called upon him to know
the reason of this attack. whereupon he
gave me various but unimportant rea-
sons. but wound up by saying: You
can't blame me for trying to get even
with Lowman,' meaning j. Z. Lowman.
large stakeholder and secretary OF the
Union Trunk Line.
Tho Union Trunk Line IA company of
which l always have been and still am
the largest stakeholder, though no longer
its president. having insisted that my res
ignation as such be accepted during my
temporary absence and which was only
accepted by my successor, NJ. II. Young,
on condition that / again assume that Of
flee upon my permanent return has al
ways RETAINED from any action that
could possibly bo construed into a bride
or a sop During the first years of the
operation OF It's lines DR.. Sweeney. a men,
Der of your honorable body. was its reg
uiar physician. bat when that gentleman
was elected alderman his employment
was mutually ahrogated and another
physician elected in his place In order 70
avoid even a suspicion OF favoritsm to a
councilman.
Previous to the adoption OF the new
city charter. when the counciimen were
serving without pay. many OF the street
railway companies rendered the council
men annual passes, but the Union Trunk
Line never rendered the city council any
passes until the latter part OF 1894, and
then only 20 the street committee. who
were constantly required to investigate
some trivial charge about one or che
other OF It's five lines, usually instigated
BY DIR. Jordan 10 get even with Lowman,'
which latter remark he has quoted to me
repeatedly.
In closing, I can't help but call your
attention 20 the ungentlenanly action OK
pr. Jordan in attacking me In this man
ner al time when ! was thousands of
miles away, especially when my abse2ss
from home and family was enforced upon
rnnted irnpositions of hardships upon the
Union Trunk line entaiifng expenditures
which necesSitated my going back to my
former calling in order 10 enable n1e 20
meet continued assessments upon my
stock In said company
Hoping that this. my denial, may be
given the same publicity as the accuse.
ton. remain your fellow citizen.
'E. F. WITTLCR,"