Olympia Puts Its Bond Mess on Ice—and the Mayor Objects

The city bonds are at a standstill by reason of the following report presented by Messrs. Ford and Ward, of the ways and means committee:

“Your committee has had great difficulty in deciding just what to recommend in the premises, but has finally, after careful consideration, determined to recommend that the matter of employing an attorney to investigate our financial condition and examine the proceedings had in relation to the issuing of bonds voted August 17, 1891, and also the question of ordering another election, be allowed to rest, and that no further action be taken during the administration of the present council, owing to the fact that the incoming council may in its judgment annul all proceedings had on the question and matters thereby be the more complicated.”

The mayor thought the council was evading an important question. He said: “I desire to have it go on record that I am most decidedly in favor of pushing this matter to a conclusion as fast as possible. If we have got the city in a mud hole, we should do everything possible to get it out. In the five weeks to come something should certainly be done, so that matters will not be left in chaos as they are. I know positively that the superior court is ready to push matters if legal steps are taken. Judge Robinson told me that he would give his decision at once.”

All but Sickels voted aye on the adoption of the report.