City Hall Corruption Allegations Rock Blaine
Former City Treasurer Lester W. David defends his record against accusations of embezzlement, claiming the charges are a malicious political setup by his successors.
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 report that Lester W. David was short $9,000 or any other amount as city treasurer of Blaine is a malicious falsehood. On retiring from office my accounts were balanced and vouchers returned with each report, and I have been receipted for the same. Since Mayor Westcott made his report, which is about double the amount that Expert Robertson's report shows, it has been proven that $3,200 of canceled coupons charged to me have been in their possession ever since they took charge. It is wholly a concocted scheme of Mayor Westcott, Councilman Johnston, and other enemies of mine. In justice, I sincerely hope the public will not condemn me on reports made by my enemies until they have been verified.
“It is wholly a concocted scheme of Mayor Westcott, Councilman Johnston, and other enemies of mine.”
Accusations of financial mismanagement and political witch hunts in municipal government are a persistent thread in Washington politics. David's public defense, complete with signed testimonials from former officials, highlights the intense, localized nature of civic power struggles in small Washington towns at the turn of the century.
From readers
No comments yet. If you know something about this story — a correction, a family memory, a source — it belongs here.