Fairhaven's Civic Wish List: Taxes, Salmon, and $100,000 in Debt

Fairhaven, Feb. 1.—Special.—At the meeting of the Commercial Club Friday evening the resignation of Roland G. Oanwell as recording secretary was tendered and accepted with much regret, and E. L. Cowgill was appointed by the governing board to fill the vacancy.

A number of important matters were brought before the club and acted upon, some of which are of general interest to the people of the state. A memorial to the legislature, urging the enactment of a well-guarded law for the semi-annual payment of taxes in the state of Washington, was unanimously adopted, as was also a memorial urging the legislature to "enact adequate and appropriate laws to inaugurate and carry forward on the part of the state, in an efficient manner and under approved methods, the propagation of salmon and the building up of the salmon fishing industry in the lakes and rivers of the state of Washington adapted to such purpose under state management; and that in addition thereto the boards of county commissioners of counties especially interested be authorized and empowered to make appropriations out of the general county fund, within reasonable limits and under the advice of or rules made by the fish commission, to forward and aid in the objects aforesaid."

The statement was made at the meeting that the Nooksack River is superior to any other stream flowing into the Sound, and that there have been more salmon caught in the Nooksack during the past four months than ever before in an entire year.

A resolution was also passed by the club requesting the legislature to abolish the salary fund in all counties, so as to make the county officers take the same chances as other creditors in the matter of pay, and make a considerable part of the revenue of the county now reserved for the payment of salaries available for the redemption of warrants. County Commissioner Uinette stated that the floating indebtedness of this county is now $100,000, $60,000 being in 10 per cent warrants, of which $40,000 are bridge warrants which can be legally bonded, having been issued prior to the reduction of the assessment in 1892, which re-established and materially lowered the limit of indebtedness. He stated that these warrants can be funded by the county commissioners at 5 1/2 per cent., and that if this is done and the salary fund abolished there will be $70,000 available within six months for the redemption of warrants. It is a plain business proposition, and he believes that if the steps advised are taken warrants will find ready sale at 95 cents instead of being hawked about at a discount. The two Populist commissioners were elected upon a platform opposed in general terms to bonds, but it is reported that they are personally favorable to the funding proposition, and will vote for it if their constituents will so petition.