The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-10-31
Veto Of Woodland Park 0rdi-
nance Read at Council.
PURCHASE NOT JUSTIFIED NOW
Cfty's Financial Condition such A.
ligatfons, Says the Mayor-Dedcit
In Park Revenues Likely Under
That Deficit Would BE Illegal.

AS was predicted in Sundays Post-In,ei-
Hgencer. Mayor Humes returned The orti-
nance for the purchase of Woodland park
10 the council without his approval The
ordinance and veto MESA sc were flled late
Saturday afternoon with the city clerk.
and the message was read az last nights
council meeting,
Mayor Humes' objections 10 the purchase
are fully stated III his message, which Is
given below.
Some time after the mayors veto mes
sage had been read 10 the council. Coun-
Gilman Diller. OF the Fifth ward, introduced
a resolution that the matter Of the pur-
chase Of Woodland park be referred TO the
people a; the next spring election. The
resolution was laid Oh the table. Il read
follows.
Whereas, During the past few months
there las been great deal OF discussion
by the public and IL The city press reia-
live TO the public necessity OF the pur-
chase Of what IL known Woodland park
by the city Of Seattle for the purpose OF
making Il & public park, and
Whereas. There have been numerous
protests made by property holders Of the
city aga nsI the purchase and against the
price asked by the present owner, and
against the manner OF payment for same.
therefore. be Il
Resolved THAT the corporation counsel
be and he is hereby instructed 10 draft and
submit 10 the council by December !. 1893.
an ordinance providing that c. Is No $40
for the purcha sc Of Woodland park be sub
United 20 The voters Of the city OF Seattle
for their approval o. rejection at the com
ing city election in March. 1890
Following is the full text OF the mayors
message:
The Mayors Objections.
I return herewith council bill No s42
ffNT ~ he
purchase Of Woodland park. and certain
other real estate. In section /, township
Is north. # range cas-. W NJ. for use
AS a public park for ths city OF Seattle
and providing for the method OF raging
FOR m" same without my approval.
While ii is my desire, and has been my
uniform practice heretofore. 10 approve ali
ordinances passed by your honorable body
dispensing the public funds which YOU
have jn charge. yet ] cannot sanction The
expenditure Of the amount contemplated
~ this bill for the purpose mentioned at
mis- time
Although ny the express provisions of
he hill the deferred payments. amounting
20 $40 0e,, are not 10 ne considered an ohli-
city would he expected to pay them The
money comes out Of the taxpayers just
he same as though il was an obligation
against all the resources If the city, and
was SO expressed In the ordinance.
1T ~ The peoples money YOU take to
pay for this land which Il you did not
ak. could be applied 10 the poyment Of
. ne obligation FOR which the city IS legal
" responsible. thereby relieving them. 10
some extent from TIE burden II taxation
THE trainers II the charter OF this city
under which you and hold officel. and
~ who voted for T. ana caused rs
adoption. never intended that the debts
u The city should exceed 10 per centum #
he assessed valuation: never Intended that
he peopi'. should be taxed TO pay any
obligation In excess ~ such assessed va'u-
alton. The assessed valuation OF the prop
-rtv In the city upon which the tax levy
IS based is So Dr. 200.
The present bonded debt Of the city Is
& 59euo upon which there 10 an annual
interest charge Of $4,000
Extra Tax Levy Illegal.
This being 50 should there not be SUI
ficicnt money In the park fund to meet
the payments contemT plated hV this bill at
he time they become due II s my opinion
hat no tax could he legally levied with
which to pay the deficiency. And II any
suCh tax were levied - meet such de-
d'tercy | think the taxpayers ~ the city
would have just cause To complain Il yau
ana me.
The annual expense OF maintaining ana
improving ths present parks Of the city
for The past two years has bcsn ahou;
$1,000
Ten per cent II all fines. penalties and
licensees Is app0rtionei 20 he park funs
For the wear lSa9 the park fund created
IA his way VIII amount 20 approximately
81 oo2
The estimate fer The department ~
PARKS for IN wear j.so Giel last August
Nth the comptroller. rs f9r ordinary main
-srzure II the Terks of The city which ,ce
INV fue rom fhr rark funa 80 pay far he
rs acres recently yur haaet 'yius near
.hr setth ige e the city makes a total
ef 3. ice IN which must he paid ca, - 'his
fa~j for the year I%sh 90 say nothing ~
tnv 'NYe0s" IN Improving the present
parks = ne city