City Charter Committee Member Resigns in Protest
W. G. Armstrong quits the charter revision committee, accusing the city council of flagrantly ignoring the interests of working people.
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Last night W. G. Armstrong resigned as a member of the charter revision committee for the reason, as he stated, that the city council ignored all measures of public welfare. His letter of resignation stated: 'Owing to the fact that the council has refused to present various propositions to the people as presented by your committee... and it appearing to me that various members of the council have decided to ignore all measures of public welfare, it seems utterly useless to devote any more time to the discussion of other proposed amendments.' Armstrong thanked the committee for their assistance in preparing amendments bearing directly on the interests of the working classes. The council subsequently moved toward a financial scheme allowing city money to be deposited in private banks at interest, a move Mayor Ronald warned would open the doors to bribery and corruption.
“It appearing to me that various members of the council have decided to ignore all measures of public welfare, it seems utterly useless to devote any more time.”
The rhetoric of 'public welfare' versus 'council corruption' remains a persistent theme in Seattle’s political history. Armstrong’s frustration with the council’s indifference to the working class mirrors ongoing debates about corporate influence in city hall.
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