Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1903-07-27
RANK MENDACITY
CHARACTERISTIC ATTEMPT TO
MAKE POLITICAL CAPITAL.
The Vdette Seizes the Report of the County
Treasurer As Possible Opportunity to
Echo Bites With Avidity.


In recent issue OF the None ano
Vidette appeared the following, which
was echoed by tAe Hoquianl Washing
tonian:
"The Nidette calls attention the good
condition OF Chehalis county's finances
and notes the changing since repub-
licanism replaced populism some years
ago. In the dark days of popuism,
tfree silver" and the "crime of 49,"
Chehals countv's financial condition,
like that OF every other county and
municipality in the state, was decidedly
bad and the clamity bowler could see no
prospect of anything but ruiz. But good
times came again in good condition
financially ard, it present conditions
continue, will soon be out OF debt.
Treasurer Weatherwax has just called
for payment of old general fund county
warrants which will make a total amount
called since Jan. l, 1901, 22,3l6.73, on
which interest will amount to fifty per
cent, or $11, 1871; making total of
$33, 475.10. In addition to the above,
bonds TO the amount of $4,000 have
been paid, making total payments on
the county's indebtedness in two and
one.half years, So, 1910. Amount OF
general fund warrants now outstanding
is $7,915 "a, and county Indebtedness is
$77,S73.3l, against $3.50, 35S.40 on Jan. /
1901"
In passing, it may be said that under
ordinary circumstances the above article
would not be worth notice. But, con-
sidering that Chehalis county has al
most, if not quite, doubled in population
since the clark days. referred to, it is
but in the interest OF truth that those
new people be made acquainted with the
real facts.
From its organization until January,
1897, Chehalis county had been under
the control OF the republican party.
During the earlier years the population
was sparse, and county affairs presented
small opportunity for graft When the
state was admitted into the union, real
estate boom was on in this county, and
it attracted as gentlemanly set of
piratical grafters rs ever swamped a
county, or sunk ship for loot.
This gang, to whom politics was bust
ness. became so bold as to call tcr con-
Tention in 1891, of the taxpayers q the
county, for the purpose, as announced
III the call, of devsing means of saving
their property from total confscation by
these grafters. There was no politics in
this convention; it was business. The
leading taxpayers realized that they had
allowed the affairs OF the county to drift
INTO the hands OF these pirates, who used
the republican majority in the county as
q business asset belonging to them. The
report OF this convention is matter of
the county record, may be found in the
files OF the papers OF the county in the
spring OF OF '94.
The revelations OF the committee
appointed by his convention were sufl-
ciently alarming to cause the taxpaying
voter to align himself in 1896 against the
ttxeater. fusion was effected between
the different political elements, and, as
n business, not political measure, the
dominant ring were fired, body and
br,e ;hes from the court house.
When the new administration took
hold OF affairs, in January, 1897, the
county had been swamped in debt far
beyond the limit allowed by law, and
no warrants had been issued for many
months; the current bills we're paid in
certificates OF indebtedness, which re-
lied solely upon honor for their payment.
The new officials proceeded to cut off
the parasites and reduce expenses, with
the result that the county was soon
placed upon cash basis, its warrants,
the dollar. An idea may be obtained
OF the methods pursued by examining
the following table, in which is contrast
ed the expense OF conducting the county
offices under the rule OF the gang" in
1894, and under the business admin
istration in 1898:
1894. 1898. Decrease
Auditor $4,000 $4,000 $2,256.SO.
Sheriff 3,s25.45 2,939.61 so5.s4.
Treasurer 4,70337 629.16 1,0742l.
Assessor 3,597.17 2,72s.92 s7o.25.
School Supt 1,799.76 1,099.92 699.o4.
In mattels OF this kind the truth is
A,:n ~ Al.
Nidette. 1t tries doubtless, but falls
down every time it gets into this old
matter. For instance, on January l,
1901, the outstanding Indebtedness was
(see page -, AUDITORS report $l24,o9l.. |
81, instead OF $3.50. 40, a small differ