The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-04
What Seattle Has at Stake.


What Seattle Has at Stake.
There is one important feature Of the
coming municipal election which should
receive the careful consideration OF
every man in the community who owns
a dollars worth of property. or who
has any interest In the prosperity and
welfare of the city. That is the effect
which the election win have upon the
standing and reputation OF the city in
financial circles. with special reference
to the investors who are commencing
to look upon this place as a promising
field. The magnitude Of the interests
involved here can scarcely be over
estimated. At the present moment
there is not city west Of the Missis-
sippi river which Is looked upon with
such high favor. and there 10 none which
has better prospects for securing heavy
investments of outside capital within it's
borders. investments which are already
commencing to be made In considerable
amounts.
The confidence Of those investors has
been gained largely through the fact
that during the long period OF hard
times. coincident with the outburst Of
the free silver craze which swept over
the far West. Seattle was the one city
whose municipal affairs never passed
under Democratic, Populistic or Fusion
list control, but We're administered by
Republicans throughout. wisely, honest
~ and conservatively. so that II
emerged from the trying ordeal OF the
long depression In better financial shape
than when the hard times commenced.
And this despite the fact that at the
commencement of the financial depres-
sion the city was in the hands OF a gang
of "reformers. who had left its busi-
ness affairs in confusion and looted its
treasury Of practically the last dollar
which II contained.
The high position which the city has
business-like administration OF its
affairs should not be lightly jeopardized
rather II IL the duty of every loyal
citizen OF the town TO guard II jealousiy.
even although he may not like the man.
ner in which certain details of the city
government have been handled. No one
can assert truthfully that. since the last
''roformer' went out of office. with the
downfall of the Ronald administration,
in any department OF the city govern
ment; nor can II be denied that the
affairs OF the city. on its financial side.
have been handled with admirable wis
dom and Judgment equaling II not sur
passing the record Of the best conducted
! private institutions during the same
I length Of time. 1t is to be doubted u
any other city In the United States can
show as fine a record Of good manage
ment as Seattle has done during the
last six years. certainly none met the
stress Of the hard times with as gallant
a front. adopted as speedy and drastic
rctrsnehment. and actually reduced Its
outstanding Indebtedness during a time
when scarcely fifty per cent. Of the
/ taxes were being collected. and when
property owners we're abandoning their
holdings to the mortgage companies.
The people ~ seattle. in the rush and
stress Of business since prosperity has
come TO us. have not given due credi,
to the successive city governments FOR
the magnificent showing which they
have made; hut facts which have been
I overlooked here at home are noted
keenly hy outside investors. and have
/ redoanded to the credit OF the city and
/ gwen II extraordinary standing as a
I field for conservative investment In
addition TO an other advantages. the
I people 81 Seattle have been considered
as men 81 conservative business sense
and the city has secured the reputation
( OF being a community. unlike others in
[ thu far West. proof against any ten
( dency 70 the following Of wild-eyed
/ schemes Of would-be reformers
Now. should It 60 out TO the world
that Seattle has elected for its mayor
man who is an ardent advocate Of
every economic fad which ever afflicted
any community a follower Of every
ism, the friend Of every cranky PROPOSE
| ton which was ever evolved from the