Anacortes Mayor Quits in Protest Against 'Subsidy Brokers'

Last night's council meeting in Anacortes was replete with exciting features. After the reading of the journal, the following message was read by the mayor: To the Common Council of the City of Anacortes—Gentlemen: I herewith tender my resignation as mayor of the city of Anacortes. I wish to thank the people for their complimentary indorsement of my candidacy and to express my regret that I am unable, through the complications of my business affairs, to longer stand as the chief executive of the city. My affection toward Anacortes is unabated, but I believe so strong is the influence of her chief property holders against a generous policy toward her struggling people that it would be futile for me to nurse my wrath or to use up the fight vigorously. I do feel, however, that the people will have to rely upon self, and shoulder the burden and the responsibility of her affairs. To 'crook the pregnant hinges of the knee' to the chief tax payers does not, in my opinion, assure that 'thrift will follow fawning.' It is better to grasp the bull by the horns, 'be bold, and everywhere be bold.' Be liberal in encouragement of outside capital. Establish if possible the idea that to look for succor from the McNaughts or the Oregon Improvement Company is entirely futile. Rely upon your incorporation to carry you through the dull times that necessarily must intervene between this date and the time when the chief promoters of Anacortes awaken to the idea that the people are greater than the subsidy brokers, big with the fulsome promises and empty with the indolence of their flattering, delusive and deceiving assertions. I desire this resignation to be accepted at the next regular meeting of your honorable body. Respectfully, A.P. Sharpstein, Mayor.