Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1905-01-06
The Retiring Mayor and Council.

The "two papers" having burned
red-tire galore and set off quite a nnm-
Der of beautifully colored rockets in
honor OF the new city administration,
without word of commentator for
the men who have given their time
and talent, freely, to promote the
public service, it seems to devolve upon
the STANDARD to accord credit when
due, without regard to party or per-
sonal obligation. Equal and exact
| justice to all, is another form of" Hew-
ing to the line" even though the chips
may fall on the toes alike of friend or
foe. The duties of Mayor or Council
man are thankless tasks at best, and
sometimes an extraordinary zeal, wor-
thy OF the highest praise, only arouses
the most captious criticism and bitter
and relentless opposition. Far be it
then from us to withhold the plaudit
OF" Well Done," in response to duty
we'll performed.
1t would be we'll for the new City
Council to heed the recommendation
OF the retiring Mayor with which the
new executive head seems to be in full
accord) regarding support and i'm,
provement, if possible, of our fire serv.
ice. The lesson taught by the Olym-
pia Hotel fire, should not be lost in
the ashes OF that splendid structure,
nor the experience gained, from the
many unusual conditions existing at
the time, effaced from memory, until
plans to meet them have been devised
and placed in operation. Mr.. Rich
ardson, very properly, looked upon the
public duty OF fire protection the same
as he would personal obligation for
protection OF his own property. He
had in his mill five fire hydrants, each
equipped with about 200 feet of hose,
or thousand feet in all, while the city
had about 5000 feet, much of it made
quate for the long distance pressure
that was sometimes placed upon it.
The last purchase OF 1000 feet, since
the fire, is move in the right direc.
ton, and it should, he thought, be
supplemented by further supply,
though the town 60 in in debt for it.
That the administration closed with
a depleted treasury was owing to IN.
expected circumstances and unusual
demands upon the treasury. The
Gallamore suit, for over $1,000 dollars
had to be settled, or probably further
costs added. 1t might have been set
tied once for $500, and at another
time for $500, and the Council
thought this experience justified
final settlement now. The cost OF the
lift draw had been forced upon the
community by the probability of fur
Their damage suits, for obstructing a
public waterway established by the
general government.
The unusual expenditure for main
tanning by improving the thoroughfare
with Westsidc was likewise q heavy
burden to bear with contingent ex.
penses and bonded interest to meet.
With these things we'll considered,
it is plainly evident that (aside from
the damage suit) the city has much
to show for the money expended and
those benefited should applaud the
retiring Mayor and Council for the
results evident Of work we'll done, so
far as the matters mentioned are con.
cerned.
The new administration has made
good beginning, and will receive as fair
treatment from this paper as from
those who climbed into the band wag.
on when the overture began.