The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-01-27
SEATTLE. WEDNESDAY, JAN. 81.
ANOTHER MYTH EXPLODED.

During the last campaign the Populist
press bureau was very actively engaged
IN manufacturing "roorbaekz." designed
20 have some influence upon the doubtful
voters. and the readers OF the daily press
remember how great portion OF the
newspaper space was devoted TO exposing
these particular fakes" as fast as they
appeared. They were composed Of gar
bled extracts from speeches OF statesmen
now dead. fictitious auotations from Loa-
don newspapers. forged circulars alleged
10 have been issued ~ New York bank
era. and a large and varied assortment
o. campaign material OF Ike character.
With the defeat OF Bryan IL was
thought the mission OF this literary bu-
reau was at an end. but IL appears that
y is stu doing business at the old stand.
For some time past there have been ar
tleiss going the rounds OF the Popultsiic
press. describing the wonderful success
with which the city OF Glasgow is meet
Ing In raising revenue by means OF tax
alton levied upon various franchises. all
OF these articles containing the statement
that commencing with this year Glasgow
would be free from all taxes or rates. on
this alleged fact has been based numerous
arguments tn favor OF municipal owner
ship" as wei as for imposing heavy
taxes upon franchises.
II appears. however. that the original
article. like 50 many others which have
appeared In the newspapers which first
gave IL publicity, IL absolutely untrue.
Quite probably IL had the same author
ship as the numerous ''roorbaeks" which
appeared during the campaign. result
OF the publicity which has been given the
story has been 10 draw out An authorita-
tive denial from the city officials OF Glas-
gov. which has been sent 10 many Of
the newspapers Of the United States. with
a request that IL be published. The denial
is as follows:
city Chambers. Glasgow. Jan. S. 1s97.-
The lord provost of Glasgow and certain
officials or the corporation have for some
time past been receiving a considerable
number az communications from all parts
- csnerica desiring confirmation OF
statement which has evidently obtained
wide circulation and considerable credence
IN the United states, 10 the effect that
from the commencement OF the present
year the citizens OF Glasgow would be
free from al taxes or rates In conse-
quence OF the proiits derivabie fron.-what
those inauirers term municipal mOnop-
olies.' or. in other words the civic ad-
ministrahOn OF various departments OF
the public service. such as street tram
ways. gas. water. electric lighting. and
other undertakings which are under the
charge or the corporation. ] have accord
ingly been requested hy the lord provost
90 inform you that this statement has no
foundation In fact. and that while the
municipal undertakings above mentioned
have been ~minently successful. there is
no probability % this city being exempt
from taxation. VIII you therefore par
don my asking you 20 do his lorJiship the
favor q giving the same publicity 20 this
contradiction as has been given TO the
erroneous statements % watch ] have re-
ferred. JOHN s. SAMUEL"
As the Post-Tnteliigencer is one OF the
newspapers which. forgetting the expert
snees with Populistlc 'roorbacks" during
the campaign. accepted the statement as
correct ana published II with comment
the denial Is published in full.