The Political Sewer Job
City Hall prioritizes patronage and Democratic party loyalty over infrastructure, resulting in a disastrous street collapse.
A large delegation of prominent business men requested the board of public works to postpone sewer construction in business districts until the rainy season subsided. The board initially agreed, but then reversed its decision, recommending that the work be done immediately. Hundreds of men were rushed into the work, and trenches were opened on Yesler Avenue and Front Street. When the heavy rain arrived, the earth caved in. On Brook Street, a new street recently graded at a cost of $7,000 caved in and looks as if it will slide into Lake Union. The sole motive of the political clique running the board is to put men to work who will vote the Democratic ticket in March. Any laborer suspected of being a Populist or Republican is promptly removed.
“The army of foremen and timekeepers are all well-known ward workers, who are having a perfect picnic just now.”
The intersection of infrastructure projects, local political patronage, and the city’s notoriously difficult topography has been a constant in Seattle history since the 1890s. The 'spoils system' style of labor management described here shows just how politicized municipal work became during the city's early, volatile years.
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