Defending a Local Leader from Slander
The Post-Intelligencer defends L. H. Booth against accusations of financial corruption tied to his past work as a public official.
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.
The Telegraph recently attacked L. H. Booth, claiming his endorsement of John H. McGraw was worthless because Booth was chief deputy auditor during a past defalcation. This was an unwarranted and scurrilous attack on an honest citizen. Lawrence Booth is one of the best-known and most-respected young men in this city. Four years ago, he was the Democratic candidate for county auditor. He has been president of the Young Men's Institute and is now captain of Company B, First regiment, N.G.W. He is also president of the Booth & Hanford Abstract Company, and has the respect and confidence of every business man in Seattle.
“A more unwarranted and scurrilous attack was never made on an honest citizen.”
Partisan mudslinging involving the 'character' of local figures and business affiliations is a constant in municipal politics. The defense of Booth highlights the interconnectedness of Seattle's professional and political classes at the turn of the century.
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