The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-02-24
LET JusTrcE Br poyE.


LET JUSTICE BE DONE.
The more that the people have re-
hecse1 on the matter OF the county
treasnryship the more satisfied have
they become that the board of county
commissioners have acted throughout Ia
entire good faith.
When It To considered that Mr.. Hea-
ton. the Popusist member OF the board.
stated repeatedly that the bond OF Mr..
Maple was not such . bond as the beard
could conscientiousiy approve, II must
be apparent to every fair-mindsd man
that the objections to the bond we're
valid objections that could not lightly
be passed over.
Mr. Heaton. moreover. not only ad-
mstted the insuficiency OF the bond,
but he even went 80 far as to urge Mr.
Fred C;asch. the chairman OF the board.
TO accept himself the position of county
treasurer. and voluntarily offered to
support him for the Office. This propo-
sftion ar. Gasc1 promptly and en-
phaticaly declined TO entertain.
1t is apparent. therefore. that Mr..
Gasch has not been actuated by per-
sonai or selfish motives. but has been
guided solely by a desire to sahserve
the public interests to the best OF his
ability. There is every reason to be-
lieve that Mr.. Nickerson, who bears the
highest reputation for integrity and
honesty of purpose, has been governed
by similar motives.
The Post-InteliIgencer has never con-
donei official misconduct either on the
part OF Republicans or Democrats. It
will be remembered that at the time
charges were made in connection with
the construction OF the almshouse the
Post Jn.eiligencer insisted upon a rigid
and careful investigation OF the charges.
which were made I'm such a manner as
TO entatle the people to know the facts.
Not until such an investigation was
had and a report was made generating
the county commissioners by a COM
mittee of reputable business men did
the Post-Inteliigencer feel that It's work
was done.
1t is In The interest OF every good citi-
zen. whether ne be Republican, Demo-
GRAFT or Popuiist. that official misconduct
Should NOT be condoned or excused
either by the press or the people. II
the Post-Intelligencer felt that the
county commissioners In raising the
bond of the county treasurer TO $500 900
had been actuated by any desire to en-
harrass Mr.. Maple 1t would condemn
their action without hesitation. Far
from believing. however. that such was
the case. we SIseve that the county
commissioners would have taken the
same action In the event that a Re-
publican had been elected to the posi-
ton.
The law requires that the county
commissioners shall exact from the
county treasurer a bond in double the
amount that is liable to come into the
hands OF that Official during his term
OF Office. This would doubtless be con-
strued 10 mean at any one time, and
under this 100000 is not an excessive
bond. out on the contrary is entirely
reasonable. 1t may be admitted, how
ever. that the law Is not a Just one and
that the bond required Is excessive. But
for this the law and not tha.cornmis-
sloners is responsible.
The county commissioners. moreover.
in View of the Krug defalcation and
the many other declarations that have
recently occurred in this and other
states are not only justified in exacting
good and sufficient bond, but IL Is
their duty to do so. This is one side of
the question.
On the other hand. we have the undis-
puted fact that Mr.. Maple was duly
elected treasurer by a large majority.
He has never waived his right to the
Office by any admission on his own
part. On the contrary, he has made
dilsgsnt efrrt to qualify by fling a
bond. as required by law. although he
did not succeed in fling the bond within
the time prescribed by law. The fact
that the bond first offered by him was
deemed insufficient by the county COM
'nissioners and was admitted to be In
Es
Robert Abrams. who was himself on
Mr.. Naples bond for $50. 900 and whose
qualifications were not questioned.
should not preclude him from making
good the deficiency provided he il able
10 DO SD.
Pending the complexion OF The bond,
however. the board OF county commits
sscners dill the only thing that could
% done. after Or aiitten resigned-they
appointed treasurer 10 fill the va
cancy.
The commissioners have themselves
dec,ared that this action would not pre-
vent them from further considering
any bond that Mr.. Maple unfght offer
and approving it II It should be found
good, So far as the commissioners are
ccncs~ned ard so far as Mr.. RlplinE-er
| Is convened. we do not believe thai
there IS or should Do any disposition
| on their part to ssnharrass si-. Maple
| or To prevent him from taking the Office
60 which the people have elected him.
| All that the commission should IN.
SIS, upon is that Mr. Maple should do
| wha. the law demands that he should
do--farslssh such a hond az will ade-
| aus,ely protecs the people agasnS, prs
/ SHE loss
/ 50 Tar as che exrlanatsca made sy
Afr. Maple regaraing sozne Of the sure
I ties chk~--tess 4, by the COMMUNIST, -,ay.