The Price of a Sewer Job
A disillusioned Seattle voter accuses the city’s Democratic administration of demanding political loyalty in exchange for manual labor.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Seattle, Jan 18, 1894. To the Mayor of Seattle: I consider it my duty to inform you through the newspapers of this city that your system of employing men on the sewers is a disgrace to any political party. I have been in this city six years. I have always voted the Democratic ticket on every occasion, but am sorry to say I will not do so any more. I have seen enough of the corruption of your party to keep clear of it hereafter. I have been seeking employment on the sewer ever since it started work. I am an American citizen, a legal voter. I have done everything within my power toward the development of Seattle and its vicinity since I first came here six years ago. I came here to stay, and I am going to stay in this city or its vicinity, regardless of any political party. I will vote for the party I think best, whether I get employment or not, but I will not pledge myself to vote for a party for the sake of getting a job in a sewer. This should not be tolerated in a civilized community. Every honest and industrious man should get work when the public is paying for it, and not be expected to sign pledges to vote for any party. I have never been a tool and never will be. I will live honorably and without fear and express my sentiments. - A Citizen
“Every honest and industrious man should get work when the public is paying for it, and not be expected to sign pledges to vote for any party.”
Patronage jobs were the currency of local politics in the 1890s, where public works projects were often used as rewards for party loyalty. This letter echoes a long-standing tension in Seattle civic life—the struggle between professional municipal management and the 'who you know' culture of city hall.
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