The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-01-02
MAPLE AND MS BOND.


It has become a matter OF common
notossesy tlat J. w. Maple. the newly
elected county treasurer il having great
difficulty In securing an acceptable
bond. 1t Is. 10 say the least. unfortun-
ate thai any public official who has
been regularly and honestly e,e-ted
should be unable 20 qualify because OF
his Inability to give a bond for the
preDcr and honest discharges Of his off,
eiai duties. 1t certainly indicates a
lack OF confidence either in his ability
or his Integrity that is to be deplored.
Prior to the election the Po<st-Intel-
Hgencer opposed the candidacy Of Mr..
Maple because OF an abiding conviction
THAI he was absolutely untitled for the
sfsscbarge OF the duties OF the position
to which he aspired. A majority of the
people of the county, however, seemed
To think otherwise. and Mr.. Maple WAS
elected. The PGsst-Intelligencer since
the election has stndioussy refrained
from further comment until this tine.
Now. however. certain facts have trans
people should know. 1t has been OPEN
~ asserted by some OF Mr. Naples
friends that a combination had been
formed by his political opponents for
she purpose OF preventing him from Sc
curing a bond. This statement is OF
course absolutely false. The facts In
the case demonstrate conclusively that
Mr. Maple has been entirely discredited
even by his former friends and associ-
ates
1t Is wen known that Mr.. Maple owed
his nomination and his election 10 the
Popuiist party. And yet since his eiec-
ton he Is said 10 have ignored the lead
ers of that party 10 such an extent as
TO have entirely aiienated them from
dds cause They allege openly that be-
fore the election even Mr.. Maple en-
tered into an agreement I'm writing I'M
der which he surrendered completely
not only the control of the county de-
posts but also the patronage OF his
office to a prominent Democratic poll
tic!sn. They further allege that Mr..
to prominent Democrat. the position
OF first deputy. At the same time aud
for the same purpose he promised an
other lucrative position to @ prominent
Republican.
As to the truth OF these allegations
there seems 10 be no doubt. IL they
are true they certainly furnish a good
and Sufficient reason for any cautious.
conservative business man TO refuse to
go on the bond OF Mr.. Maple. Under
such circumstances 1t Is little less than
ridiculous to talk of a combination
against him He himself is responsible
for the combination that has d.scredit-
ed him. When man and his wife join
In signing an official bond a. binding
and serious Obligation is incurred, and
no one would think of assuming such
an obligation for n man In whom they
had not the fullest confidence. The ac-
ton OF Mr. Maple in attempting 10 bar
ter away In advance the spells of his
Office To Democrats and Republicans
irpdiscriminatcly Is not such as to en-
courage confidence either in his ability
or good intentions.
In spite OF all that has been said,
however. Mr. Map.e has baen elected
and he Is certainly entitled to the office.
II he can give . good and sufficient
bond as required by law. 1t h made
the duty Of the county commissioners
ard Of the city government to see that
the interests Of the people and OF the
taxpayers are protected and that the
bond offered by the county treasurer
IS coed fer the amount stated. This the
people will demand that they do. II
viii be better and cheaper even to go
- the expense of n new election If me-
cessary, rather than take chances with
"a man who IS known 10 be incompetent
and who is charged with practically
parting with the conlrel of his office be-
fore he MAS even elected