The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-28
They Are Stated at Length in
His Letter of Acceptance.
SAYS HE WILL ENFORCE LAW
The Fusion Candidate states His
Position Regarding the Initiative
and Referendum-Attack the
Representative system of Gov
pose the Consolidated Franchise.

George F. Cotterill the fusion nominee fer
mayor. has addressed letter 10 the Dein-
ocratic campaign committee accepting the
nomination OF the combined forces watch
are training in this campaign under the
banner Of Democracy. In his letter of ac-
ceptance Candidate cotterin states tuly
his views on the various principles odvo-
Gated by the composite" forces, begin
ming with the principle of the initiative aud
referendum.
Concerning this principle, Candidate Cot
terill says:
This is the climax OF nonpartisanship
1t is the downright, deep-seated convic-
ton of every honest man who respects
himself and trusts his fellow man. Rep
resentative government perverts and de-
feats its mission when the representa-
tive assumes to rule instead of serve.
Recent events in Seattle have forced
this fundamental question to the front
in this campaign. Influential petitions,
prepared by earnest citizens striving TO
protect their interests, asking only that
certain questions be submitted 10 vote
OF the people at the regular election.
have been ignored or denied by a rla-
torfty of the men elected To serve the
people
Members OF our city council have con-
stituted themselves as guardians vested
with the power OF protecting the people
from themselves. The people Of Seattle
need public servants. not guardians. The
man who is afraid to trust the people
Is man the people cannot afford TO
trust.
AS a matter of fact, the petitions asking
for the submission of charter amendments
relating to the street railway lines and
municipal ownership were 200 names short
of the requirements OF the city charter
Mr.. Cotterill next takes up the question
of the consolidated street railway franchise.
quoting the declaration of the fusion plat
f1V k,,ge ~ IL.
predicts that in some form 1r other TIE
franchise will be presented to the admin
istration to be elected March 6 and says:
The Republican platform is silent upon
this franchise question direct, but the
general approval of the record of tine
past two years. set forth in the second
plank. cannot be construed otherwise
than as distinct approval of the course
of the Republican majority In the city
council in framing and adopting the
thirty-iive-yeir franchise. If elected
upon that platform, Republican mayor
and city council can justly claim au-
thority TO consummate the franchise
deal without submitting II to the qeo-
pie, unless the courts prevent them.
In conclusion, Mr.. Cotteril declares that
he will oppose the franchise 20 the bitter
end.
Concerning that plank in the Democratic
platform regarding the vacation OF certain
water front streets for the benefit Of the
Northern Pacific, Mr. Cotterill says that he
Is opposed to the proposition and will op-
pose the cession OF any territory in that d.
rection. In part. Mr.. Cotteril says:
My work during the past eight wears
In the city engineers department and
during the past two years as special
agent OF the state land commission III
the matter of the revision and adjust
ment OF the plating Of the water front
of Seattle. has afforded an opportunity
for detail study of the railroad and
water front situation. II elected mayor
] shall apply the results of that study
TO the protection OF the peoples in
terest, and here and now add my per-
sonal pledge to our platform declara-
ton, to use every means in my power to
defeat the vacation OF any OF our ave.
nues OF access to the commercial or in
dustrial districts.
The latter part of Candidate Cotterins
letter is taken up with discussion Of the
planks in the Democratic platform which
relate to the enforcement Of law and order
in the city and 70 the establishment OF q
municipal lighting plant Concerning his
position relative to the enforcement OF city
and state laws governing the liquor tiaiic
and gambling. Mr.. Cotteril says:
our platform pledges to the people a
voice in making their own laws. fns
logical sequence is that the people
should be made to keep their own laws.
Every valid law upon our statute books.
ignored or perverted by executive Of
fcials, is an invitation TO crime and
anarchy To be honest and true to ms
oath OF office, the mayor OF Seattle
must enforce the laws and ordinances
as he finds them. His responsibility Is
enforcement, not legislation His poi
Icy should be the laws as they are.
not his opinion OF what they ought to
he. Thus il becomes equally his sworn
duty TO protect Institutions in which no
may not personally believe. but whicn