The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-12-12
SEATTLE. THURSDAY. DEC. IL.
"BE SURE YOU'RE RIGHT.


Obedience to laws ordained I'm the man
ner prescribed by the constitution is es-
sential TO the safety OF the citizen and
the welfare OF the state. For this reason,
which In no way abates any OF the OBJ
Jeetions 10 the proposed new debt seen
by those who have opposed II. and who re-
eret its authorization. the ordinance
authorizing IT must be respected. We be-
lieve the decision of the majority to be "A
mistake based upon partial statements
and preiudlces which are less carefully
concealed now that the election is over.
and that the proposition is "A menace to
the interests of the city. We. therefore.
counsel extreme watchfulness over the
proceedings now to be taken
one very serious aspect OF the election
IL that a debt amounting TO s., 20, 900 over
the constitutional limit may be imposed
upon the people by the affirmative vote
OF about one-fifth of the electors Of the
city. To this 1t may be justly answered
that all the voters were summoned by
public and privats appeals 10 register and
TO record their votes. and, failing TO do so,
those who omitted to vote have no right
10 complain OF the result. They have no
risht, but 1t Is TO be regretted that such
apathy should prevail on questions which
so vitality affect the interests OF the city.
The man who voted either for or against the
ordinance from an honest conviction upon
the merits OF the question Is an infinitely
better citizen than the man who permitted
either side 10 prevail by reason of his own
Indifference
Attention Will, however now be directed
TO the execution OF the peoples will. as
expressed at the polls. and there are es-
pecial reasons why the proceedings to
follow adoption OF the plan proposed IN
the ordinance should be carefully under
taken. II VIII not be denied. now that the
election IS over. that the means OF dcfray-
Ing The cost OF the extension is an evasion
OF the clear intention OF tho constitution
IL has been claimed that Il is. nevertheless.
not IN violation OF the terms OF the funda-
mental law. but it Is just as well to place
that question beyond all doubt. as was
done IN all cur bond issues. because the
market price Of warrants. bonds. or any
other form OF municipal security. Is al
ways IN proportion 10 their legal Iuteg-
y,ty. We have hitherto mad very lille dir
floulty In selling at good substantial
price all bonds whose validity had been
passed upon by the supreme court. while
all warrants as 70 winch there has been
tie least doubt have had 10 be discounted.
The loss due 20 diseounung has usually 20
be borne hy the labor paid Ga them: and the
city at large suffers by having 90 pay a
higher price Tor work done uDdcr warrant
paid contracts than FOR that paid Tor In
cash. There is nothing Ia the ordinance
whieh provides that the warrants SHALL be
accepted by the contractor az par. nor Is
there anything "a prevent the council sell
ing Them al any discount .t pleBses. \ dis
count OF even 10 per cent on ti.ssa. %
would amount 10 sl-s,ooo. which affords a
pretty Wlde margin for speculation. In
deed. no authorization Of public expendl-
ture ass ever ,eea made Ia this city go
loosely hcIsc3 about by precautions as
that Ia ordinance No. $3.50.
II We must SO further into debt. W.
should at least see thai every dollar spen,
produces lbs fuu value. and that can only
be done ny proceeding strictly within law
ful lmlts and - holding all executive OF
nciais charged with the execution Of tho
pan 70 strict Tospons.b ,lity Cor their
acts. They VII be sustained by public oq.n-
soa in aa abundance OF caution. ana hav-
tus cnce been fortified In the lnyulneraal.-
~ 81 their pos!uoa il IS only LETT 20 thcm
20 eou-arcousiy ana honestly proceed 90
the performance 81 their duty. and prose-
cute tae authorized undertaking 30 sac-
eeSsfll completion