The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-05-24
SEATTLE, MONDAY, NAY -.
THE MAYOR To THE PEOPLE.

The message addressed by Mayor Wood
20 the city council l. practically an address
to the people Of the city through their &C
credited representatives. IL comes At
suitable time because the taxpayers are
deeply interested just now in the present
condition and future prospects of Seattle
as a municipality. The future OF the city
"a a commercial center In assured. bat
while the business interests are develop
ing N In very essential that the business Of
the municipality shall be kept on a sub
stantlal basis. Whether efforts are being
wisely made 10 that end can be ascer-
tained by careful parnsaI OF the address.
The most striking feature of the docu-
Inent IA the manly courage with which the
mayor expresses his views. and that
franknsss extends to every problem with
which the city council and the executive
departments are confronted There are
some phases of civic life as to which there
are irrcconcilable differences of opinion,
and, without any disposition to encourage
or even TO sanction vice. men honestly Diff
fer an 10 the means by which IL is TO be
best kept Ia subsection. The administra-
ton has declared its policy: If that should
prove beneficial. so much the better: but II
not the authorities must he accorded
credit for having courageousiy and intelIi-
gently made the effort with the best OF
motives
There are many other difficulties, how
ever. less sensational nut no less important
and obstinate. One Of these which has In
the past history OF the city been the cause
OF much public dissatisfaction. is the
method Of selecting officials. The applica-
ton OF the merit system has been sub
Jected to much odium In other places be-
cause II has been made the cover for mere
political reward and the subterfuge re-
sorted 10 In palpabls evasions of the be-
neficcnt purpose caused grave doubts az 90
its success under any form of government
by political parties The first Efforts to
reyolutionixe the old practice in the city
all tho difficulties of thoroughly changing
. system. but The opposition has been ST.
fenced By the general success. and Mayor
Wood Is justified in extolling the results,
even IL they yet display some defieieneies
lie Is justified also In claiming that the
city is so free from lawbreakers. For a
place of It's size. and having the mixed
population IN somo districts Of a port. II IL
~ orderly as any In the United States.
The subjects Of most interest to the
greatest number are naturally those in
volving directly the financial standing OF
the city. How the indebtedness was in
Cured Is well known. but 81 Is advisable TO
remind those who are called upon TO pay
taxes how the annual demands made upon
them are necessitatea and what becomes
Of the money. Tae annual interest on our
debt is over tfTIeo. and whether q was
wise or net 70 incur the indebtedness Il
was done hy former administrations, usu-
ally with the urgent approval Of the citi-
sens-and tho present administration has
no alternative bat 10 face the eonse-
1uences. When the public. hy a study OF
these figures. realizes how much OF the tn
come OF the city is necessarily devoted 10
the payment ~ interest. il can more intel
hgently comprehend the great retrcnch-
nent In other branches % expenditure and
mere rNticntlv submit TO the burden which
has bccofne incvitahle. ~ the same time
n = as ob3eet lesson warning the respon-
sihie voter against mourning further obn.
Eations
Undcr normal conditions TIRE Indebted.
ness VIII become maeh less IN proportion
and some Of the provisions Of the new rev.
snUe law afford prospect % temporary
rclicf meantime. Neutrality-suspicious. an the
economy enforced there arr stu places in
~hiea continued wasehgulness is lrnpera.
tive. ana the mayors appeal To citizens 60
AID che government 81 rs measures %
econessy sheulA - acted uron earnestly
and evsn ~ita ferl=earaace IN the demand
Ter better service whfch will he accorded
when the conditions are more favorable.
The mayor ~ has message. has taken
toe people frankly snto IA confidence. Pie
invtvs criticism and suggestions. whish
should Re uuaas b similarly Sod spirit
e9lt az the ssmse ttsae We hcspeak far shs
sdmsuistrsit oa--she legislative and exs..9i-
tive eos3es--the ceuusrn3atsoa their -.
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