The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-04-06


wings. and was indirectly responsible for
the discovery Of story which the county
commissioners, Attorney John r. Dore
and many taxpayers in road district No.
80 viii read with gusto.
There was no intention on the part Of
the actors to have the story given in ad-
vance by the t-Intelligencer. but luck
will beat a shotgun" and there was the
element of luck in the discovery Of the
fact that there is a disposition on the part
OF some Of the road supervisors 10 make
the county pay them the money now being
held back.
"A reporter was walking along Second
avenue when he was stopped by a prorni-
nent citizen and asked for the particulars
OF the new charges against Levi Smith.
This was indeed news TO the news
gatherer, and he in turn asked few
questions himself In this way he learned
that, according 10 street talk. three new
warrants had been issued against Smith.
and he had been or was going 10 be ar
rested during the afternoon
Inquiry was made at Justice Austin 5
court. out of which ex-County Commits
sioner Heaton had just walked, a free
man. and the clerk said he knew nothing
of the matter. In Justice Ingersolrs court
IL was stated that no warrants had been
issued. and that no new complaints were
on file. When Constable Pike was seen he
stated that the story was news to him.
The reporter learned that Prosecuting
Attorney McEiroy had been seen going up
the hill, and the natural conclusion was
that he had gone to the county commits
sioners Office TO hold some Kind OF a con-
fab on state matters. No time was lost
in reaching the courthouse.
There appeared To be general air OF
business around the commissioners office.
Several women were seated on the long
bench at the right OF the door, and Chair
man Ryan was listening 10 the story of
a middleaged woman. who talked very
earnestly. Commissioner Nickerson was
writing at his desk, which is the middle
one. and few moments later Commits
sioner Boyce came in and sat down. He
occupies the same seat that was formerly
occupied by w III. Heaton, who was re-
leased yesterday afternoon from the
county Jail on 81 500 bonds. TO appear in
the superior court for trial on the charge
of standing in with Road Supervisor Kin
ney, OF Renton, the confessed forger and
informer
Mr.. Boyce IS in hot water himself. and
as he sat in the chair set aside for a COM
pear ike happy man.
In an adjoining room. called by some the
star chamber and by others the 'ln-
quisltoriai chamber" the reporter found
Prosecuting Attorney McElroy. Deputy
County Treasurer T. T. Padden, a man
whose identity was unknown to the re-
porter. and Attorney John +. Dore. The
unknown man was telling Mr.. McElroy
about a road out In the country. and Mr.
McElroy was asking questions as to
whether It had ever been officially dedi-
Gated 10 the county. The man said II was
down on the records. and then branched
out on a hard-luck story about his men
losing time in chasing road supervisors in
other districts to borrow pillow.
Mr.. Padden left the room and, after Mr..
McElroy had said he would look up the
case Of the road and the plow. the strange
man followed suit.
The reporter took advantage of the mo-
ment and asked Prosecuting Attorney Nc
Elroy II he had issued any new complaints
during the day. He replied that he had
not.
About this time the county commission
ers commenced TO come in one by one.
In view Of the present condition OF affairs
and Attorney Dores connection with the
Heatons case, IL was natural for an in
quisitive outsider TO suspect that something
was In the air.
Are you here on official business?" was
the question put 10 Mr.. Dore by the re-
porter.
YES" was the concise, but awfully I'M
satisfactory reply.
At this time all Of the commissioners
Were in the room. and Ii ala not take much
figuring to see that they wanted the re-
porter 10 get out.
II looked Ike one Of those cases. There
are moments when we wish 10 be alone"
The reporter awaited developments There
was a moments silence and then County
Commissioner Nickerson jobingly showed
the reporter 10 the door. but he did not
so out
as the commission in session., was
asked
1T is" was the general reply.
Am I 10 understand that the press IS
refused admittance 10 meeting Of the
commissioners" asked the reporter
The commissioners looked intentiy at the
reporter and for moment there was an
Impressive silence Finally Prosecuting
Attorney McElroy walked I'D and down the
room and said that there were times when
Il was advisable for the commissioners to
meet alone
THAT does not answer the question as to
whether the press is denied the right 20 be
present az the meeting"
well. ] 90 not know IS we have a legal
right 20 exclude the press" replied Chair
man Ryan.
NJ McElroy assured the reporter that
his presence was not desired at the meet
Ing
TIE reporter asked the commissioners II
they desired him q leave the room. and
Commissions Nickcrscn said thar they
asa. After the reporter let the door was
shlt ard locked.
Attorney poro was alone vlth the com
nllssioners and prosecuting attorney in
the chamber OF tha inauisItion
There is q story hack OF fhat star cham
her session OF the commissioners and not
withstan1.ng tire reporter was not 81.
lowed 70 - present. the readers OF TIE
Post-lnteillgeacer are Eoinz 10 know All
about g.
The story Back Of 1t
8 = Robertson is road suparvisor IN
district 20 which Hoe between Lake
Washiuetaa ara Lake SaInmarish There
s. SEE aue him ami otaer men for labor
done in Septeushcv. October. November
ana December 1>ss Robertson claims
taat he trict - gct the September money
tn oetoher. tut failed Since then Re has
fs,- 70 appeals every month go tire county
cosc n tssic Hers. out 10 no avail. Finally.
D. sent to Prosecuting Attorney MeElroy
and showed him the papers, which eyi-
denre tbe Indebtedness % the county 10
himself aea others Robertson claims
thai MF. NcElvoy said everzthgnr looked
s3 right hat that payment had been
sto7F<1 in sa districts pending the inves-
t3scstlor
Placed With an Attorney.
Ls appears thsf thsy are net al million
aires out In district 81 ana the idea %
waiting an lode&ulte period far money 20
raw them fa~ Vrr-l .---.-l..- 49,. ara -