The City Council's Chaotic Brawl
Yakima’s local government descends into insults, filibustering, and open hostility during a session regarding city spending and official conduct.
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Councilman John Reed remarked on Monday, 'Get your pencils sharpened and have plenty of paper, for we’re going to have a time to-night.' He was right. It was a night of jibe, jest, crimination, and filibustering. Councilman Chambers sought to impeach the street commissioner for playing cards on duty, while a former councilman, Mr. Young, showed up in a fur-trimmed coat to fight his removal for absence. The council members 'felt their oats and swelled until they almost burst the diaper strings of their greatness.' Chambers accused his colleagues of being 'boodlers' looking to fill their pockets with city contracts rather than serve the public. The meeting ended with the sale of $30,000 in bonds and orders to the marshal to round up stray dogs.
“They did not present the dignified appearance which is popularly attributed to organizations of this character.”
Political infighting and accusations of 'boodling' or cronyism in local government have long been a feature of municipal life, echoing contemporary debates over public trust and city management in the Yakima Valley.
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