June 6 – July 21, 1888
The Front Street Fraud: How Seattle's Council Sold Its Soul for a Cable Car
Council rejection and corruption claims over a Front Street cable car franchise, 1888.
5 reports in The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, June 6 – July 21, 1888.
The story
In June and July 1888, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer carried conflicting accounts of a proposed cable car franchise on Front Street. Two June reports said the City Council rejected the Seattle Electric Railway Company’s bid, citing public safety and narrow roads; later June editorials accused officials of corruption in approving or giving away a lucrative franchise to a non-resident corporation. One July 21 report said Mayor Robert Moran refused to approve the franchise, citing private greed over public interest.
Told from the 5 reports below. The reports are the record.
The archive grouped these reports automatically, by date, place and subject.
The reports 5
- The Seattle Post-IntelligencerThe Cable Car Scheme: How Seattle’s Council Blocked a Franchise to Save Front Street
In a decisive move against corporate influence, the City Council rejected the Seattle Electric Railway Company’s bid for a new cable car line on Front Street, citing public safety and narrow roads over private profit.
- The Seattle Post-IntelligencerThe Front Street Fight: Seattle’s First Battle Over Urban Planning
In a rare moment of civic clarity, the Seattle City Council rejected a street railway company's proposal to destroy Front Street, recognizing that private profit should not override public infrastructure.
- The Seattle Post-IntelligencerThe Front Street Fraud: How Seattle's Council Sold Its Soul for a Cable Car
An editorial outcry accuses city officials of corruption in the approval of a lucrative franchise for a non-resident corporation, warning that the public interest is being sacrificed for private profit.
- The Seattle Post-IntelligencerThe Great Seattle Streetcar Heist
A scathing editorial exposing the city council's plans to give away a lucrative cable car franchise on Front Street without public oversight or fair payment.
- The Seattle Post-IntelligencerThe Cable Car Veto: How a 1889 Power Struggle Defined Seattle’s Streets
Mayor Robert Moran’s refusal to approve a cable railway franchise on Front Street—citing private greed over public interest—mirrors Seattle’s century-long battle with developers and transit infrastructure.
From the pages
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer · Jun 6, 1888
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer · Jun 16, 1888
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer · Jun 17, 1888
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer · Jun 19, 1888
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer · Jul 21, 1888
Library of Congress, Chronicling America. Public domain.