The Price of Hospitality
Walla Walla's city council debates how much it should pay to entertain railroad tycoon Henry Villard.
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A communication was received from firms and individuals expressing approval of the action taken by the Council and Mayor in extending the hospitalities of the city to Mr. Villard's party. Winans expressed himself as agreeing that $100 was enough to pay out of the City Treasury, though he opposed appropriating a cent if the party was to come in the night. Gose claimed that Walla Walla lacked enterprise, noting that Portland raised $20,000 and Seattle $10,000 for their celebrations. Glassford argued the company had lavished millions in Portland and Seattle, but done nothing for Walla Walla, insisting the leading business men should pay the bill, not the small lot-owners. Ultimately, a motion to appropriate $300 to entertain the party was carried unanimously.
“I do not believe in taking the money from the treasury to entertain the party. The leading business men of the city should contribute to this end.”
The tension between local taxpayers and the demands of hosting powerful corporate interests—and the fear of being sidelined by larger neighbors like Seattle or Portland—remains a core theme in the politics of Washington’s smaller municipalities.
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