The Populist Takes the County Treasury

Today the treasury of King County will pass under the control of J. W. Maple, the Populist candidate elected to the office last November. This result follows the approval of both the county and city bonds, and the withdrawal of John Riplinger, the temporary appointee of the board of county commissioners. The county bond has been filed with County Clerk Gordon, and the city bond has been transmitted to the joint committee of finance of the council.

Before the hour of meeting of the county commissioners yesterday a large number of Mr. Maple's adherents gathered in the hall of the court house and the lobby of the commissioners' office to learn the decision of the board. Some delay was occasioned by the fact that Prosecuting Attorney Hastie was busy with a case in Judge Humes' court, but after a little time the announcement was made that the commissioners would approve the bond. This statement satisfied the crowd, which soon dispersed.

At the meeting of the board the following communication was read from Mr. Riplinger, under date of March 4:

'While I am prepared to furnish a bond as county treasurer of King County in the event that it is necessary for me to hold that position, I do not desire to embarrass your honorable board. Pending your decision as to the sufficiency of the bond furnished by Mr. Maple and of the determination of other questions involved, I hereby resign from the position of county treasurer, to which you did me the honor to appoint me. Thanking each of you individually, I beg to remain, respectfully yours, JNO. RIPLINGER.'

The appointment of Mr. Riplinger was reconsidered, together with the order of the board declaring the office of treasurer vacant, and then, on motion of Heaton, seconded by Nickerson, the bond of Maple was approved unanimously. The bond was backed by a long list of local sureties.

The auditing committee of the city council yesterday afternoon approved Maple's city bond and ordered it transmitted to the joint finance committee of the council to be examined at the time the latter makes the semi-annual inspection of the bonds of the city officers. The committee, which consists of Leander Miller, president of the board of aldermen, and Dr. J. E. Crichton, president of the house of delegates, and Will H. Parry, city comptroller, met for the purpose of auditing the monthly accounts. The committee had been informed that the county commissioners intended to approve the county bonds, and, acting upon this advice, decided to approve his city bonds. A motion to this effect was put and carried unanimously.