The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-05-25

County Commissioner J. II. Boyee will
not resign his Office at least for the pres
emf. Mr. Boyce has come TO this ceternli-
nation within she last few days. Some
thing over "A week ago il WAS given out at
the courthouse that Mr.. Boyee would pre-
sent MS resignation 10 his associates on the
board, and that they would Immediately
accept Il ard elect his successor SO salts
fed were the politically wise that this
would be done that A crop OF aspirants
sprung up, almost like bed of musfs-
rooms. In p night When the commission
ers adjourned last week. to meet on yester-
day, ii was understood that the first bust
ness OF importance 10 come UP would be
the election Of a successor 10 Commits
si0rer Bayce.
But. alas for the hopeful aspirants for
the commissionarship. SIR. Boyce. believ-
ing that TO change ones mind is as much
the rrerogative OF a man as woman. de-
ctded to hold on 10 his job indefinitely with
the chances strong of his serving out the
fun term % four years.
Mr.. Royce's reasons for taking this stand
are twofod IN the first place way has
appeared of strengthening out his affairs
supervisor of road district No. ). In
which there is a discrepancy OF something
over 500. As every one knows this short
age came about as a result % the dealings
had between Boyce and Commissioner
Eeaton. his predecessor In office. Mr..
Boyce does 10, deny THAI Heaton obtained
several sums of money aggregating about
the amount named, by orders issued on the
board of county commissioners. and for
which an equivalent in iabor and supplies
had not been rendered. In his defense,
however, Mr. Boycs asserts that he did not
receive a cent of this money. and never
imagined for moment, until after his
election as commissioner, that He3ton had
betrayed the trust Teposed In him. and in
stead of treating the amounts as loan
and replacing them as he had agreed, ne
had actually retained the money and al
lowed the orders TO become part or the
records.
And in the second place. Mr.. Boyce hav-
ing recently taken legal counsel, is OF the
opinion that the county has neither civil
nor criminal remedy against him
II may reasonably be inquired how Com
missioner Boyce expects TO reconcile his
transactions with the county when ne was
a road supervisor. with the principles of
law and just dealing. Briefly, Mr.. Boyce
contempiates the payment 10 the county
of the full amount OF the money stolen
from the county. and has already signited
his willingness 10 tender the amount. AS
soon as Expert Douglas Young can pre-
pare his report on the road districts in
Commissioner Heatons district. Mr..
full PREPARATION 10 the county. The other
members OF the board are acquainted with
Mr.. Boyces intentions, and II Is under
stood that Prosecuting Attorney McElroy
Is also In possession of the facts. OF course
his opinion as the county's legal adviser
will be sought by Commissioners Ryan and
Nickerson before Mr.. Boyce finds himself
entirely cleared of possibility OF criminal
prosecution.
The prosecuting attorney has not yet In
dicated what his course would be, but the
politicians profess to Lave reason TO be-
Meve that Mr.. McElroy will find way to
approve Of the transaction
The disposal of the Boyce case will be
watched with interest by all OF the super
viSors who haye been connected. either liz
timateiy or remotely. with the career OF
ex-County Commissioner Heaton. and by
the taxpaying public In general. An ac-
ceptance by the board OF commissioners or
Mr. Poyce's tender would carry with II
recognition OF his innocence of evil intent.
Consequently, the other road SUPERVISORS
involved may be expected to regard the
Boyca case as a precedent which will guide
the authorities in dealing with them. In
this way each may hope to go scot free.
The report of Messrs. Young and Wilson
is expected within a week. MIR. Boyce
offer may he made any day. II IL has not
already been done. At the courthouse II
f. not believed that further prosecutions
will be instituted against the read super
Wilson's. and that eventually. if The Boyce
case turns out as expected. settlement
may be effected between the county and
all n. tho Sefsnyueltfs