City Council Members Dodge Responsibility on James Street
While private citizens were forced to fulfill their contracts, two city council members allegedly abandoned their own street improvement project without penalty.
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.
About a year ago, the contract for the improvement of Fourth street was let to the firm of Murphy & Stewart. The bond guaranteeing the prompt fulfillment of the contract was signed by L. N. Bigelow, Walter Burritt and William Meydenbauer. When it became evident the work would not be completed, the bondsmen were given the choice of completing the work or paying the amount of the bond; they chose to complete it. However, look at the contrast in the James Street contract. On June 16th, 1883, John J. Cummings and M. Strong entered into a contract to grade James street and construct sidewalks. Attached was a ten-thousand-dollar bond signed by F. W. Wusthoff and John Keeney. Finally, it became evident the contractors were irresponsible and would not complete the work. In September, the work was abandoned. Yet the bondsmen—both of whom are now members of the City Council—have not completed the contract, have not paid the $10,000, and have not even repaid the $700 the city already spent on the failed project. The City Council owes it to the people to see that the same law which applies to other citizens shall apply to its members.
“The City Council owes it to itself and to the people to see that the same law which applies to other citizens shall apply to its members.”
This 1884 editorial highlights a perennial Seattle issue: the perceived lack of accountability for politically connected contractors. While the street names remain, the struggle over public funds and the 'Good Old Boys' network of City Hall reflects a civic tension that has persisted through over a century of city growth.
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