The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-07-28
Tacoma Committee Begins the
Work of Publication.
HOLMES TO BE FIRST TO GO.
Chairman Of the Board of Commits
sioners Requested 10 Resign.
The viGtiantes Tell Him He Is Guilty
of Crime, That lie Has Confessed,
He Does Not Resign - Railot-Box
Thieves TO BE Hunted Down.

III. Holmes. OF the board OF county CON-
missloners. was to-day requested "a re-
sign his oftice by tho committee or 10
which has been organized TO purify and
dislnfeet the political and Official stmos-
rhere OF Pierce county ami the city og
Tacoma. EighsS-siva members OF tho
committee visited the Office of the Board
this afternoon and politely bat sirmiy re-
Quested Mr.. Holmes to vacate his office
without further ado. as he had confessed
himself guilty of extartien. II. c. nud-
son aud ID. T. Crowley led the committee
on its march upon the commissioner
Office. George II. Boardmsn bringing up
the rear.
Capt. Holmes replied to the demand hy
referred the committee TO A. II. TitloN.
his attorney. lie wanted until : o'clock
to make reply to the committees demand.
This was granted. and at the hour named
the committee was informed that the
commissioner would not vacate his Office
unless forced by legal process TO do SO.
Capt. Holmes was then informed that
legal measures would be resorted TO:
that he would be prosecuted for malfeas-
ance IN office.
II Is understood that Capt. Holmes. al
though he has made no sign OF weakening.
viii hand in his resignation tomorrow
morning.
As the eighty-five members OF the COM
mlttee HE'D through the long corridor "a
the courthouse leading into the commits
sloner's once. business in the various de-
partments was suspended FOR the time
being. No sach scene was ever before
enacted in the history OF the state. The
men In line Nere drawn from the husi-
ness and professional life OF the city.
and tho character of their mission Was
read in their grave ana stern counten-
ances As sooa as the three members ~
the board had assembled 10 hear the pur-
port of the committees visit, Nfr Hud-
son stepped forward arni. addressing
Commissioner Holmes. said:
Mr.. Holmes. the assembly that con-
fronts you is the committee OF 100 selected
ny the taxpayers and citizens os tho city
OF Tacoma 20 all In tho discovery and
prosecution and conviction Of persons for
crimes which have been committed IN con-
nection with our city and county affairs. 70
assist IN Fighting. as far aa possible the
wrongs under which our people are rri.v-
ousiy suffering on account OF malfeas-
ance and misconduct OF our officials i'm
oiiice and the malsdminissration OF our
affairs during the past few years. 10 re-
store to official conduct that integrity
which recognizes public office as A public
trust and not as an opportunity for pri-
Vate gain and psllaGe. From your osn
admissions. coupled with the. statements
or tho Witnesses TO the transaction. this
COMMITTEES is OF the opinion that you
havo been guilty OF extorting and accept-
Ing portions Of the salaries Of county en-
pioyes, whose employment and salaries
you as q member OF the hoard OF county
commissioners control in part. az the
price or these employees remaining In Of
ncc, and The committee has therefore
concluded that YOU are not n fiji person
70 longer hold the position which yon now
occupy, and that the public interests re-
auire that you nj once vaca te IT. I thrre-
fore. In the name OF this committee de-
mand your Immediate resignation ag a
member of the board of county commits
so ers aud require your immediate COM
plianee with the demand"
Mr. Holmes replied: "As far as the A.
legations are concerned that any man
has ever been employed or holds his posi-
tion in this court house by reasof. OF any
contribution or cxtortIon. III is absolutely
untrue. For that reason / shall decline
TO resign at this time
Mr.. Hndson-if that is z,ur determine
ton We shall leave no leati steps unre-
sorted 20. either civil or criminal action.
10 bring you 10 justice.
Mr.. Hulmea-T shall consult with my at-
forney. and yon win hear from him some
time this afternoon.
Mr.. HIudsan--We waft tn have au an
swer as soon as possible. We are ln earn
est about II. You can sec this f. 4 raprs.
sentative meeting IF citizens. We wish
70 impress yoti with the fact that this ii
not a triffing matter. but that Il f# meant.
and that II ls the unanimous opinion ar
the committee that YOU should innedl-
ate'y resign.
NT. Hofmes--I have no doubt that tho
committee fs acting in good faith on All
the information II has.
Mr.. Crowiey--Ar. Holmes, we have made
A pretty fun investigation or This matter
before calling upon yeu. and that inyeefl-
CATION has been conducted With the do
sire Of doing exact juaslce 10 you and IRE
public. Tshe people are represented here
and they think II la your duty 70 resign
that IL the reason we arc here. As AR
Hudson has said we expect 70 cauSe that
result. and al OF Us are pledged to labor
20 secure It.
Capt Holmes again derinsl i1is xilif ami
referred fhs committee 20 his attorney.
During the interview between the c9m-
missioner and the COMMITTEES fhe stiffness
was profound and was only broken BY tho
voices OF sllose who spoke. Every eye was
turned 20 Capt Holmes, expecting 10 see
In his face q sign of weakening. hmf there
WAS nes ne smalest display ~ emotion.
Late tonight Holmes declared positively
that he's would not resign.