Bond Battle: King County Treasurer Resigns After Commissioners Reject His Surety
A.P. Mitten steps down after the board refuses his bond, declaring the office vacant—but not before a pointed exchange over legal instructions.
The bond of A. P. Mitten, county treasurer, was rejected by the board of county commissioners because it does not comply with the law. The motion was made and seconded and carried by a unanimous vote of the board. It was then moved that County Treasurer Mitten be notified by the clerk of the board of the action in the matter of the rejection of his bond. The resignation of A. P. Mitten as county treasurer was filed with and read by the clerk, the following being a true copy thereof: 'Seattle, Feb. 18, 1895. To the Honorable Board of County Commissioners—Gentlemen: I am in receipt of your communication advising me that for certain specified reasons the bond I filed with you as county treasurer has been rejected. Without desiring in any way to criticise the action of your honorable body or to question the correctness of your conclusions, I desire to take this opportunity of saying that my bond was signed according to instructions given by Prosecuting Attorney Hastie. Up to this time I have not seen my way clear to resign the office without jeopardizing what I feel to be the best interests of the county. I therefore respectfully tender to you my resignation, and request that I be relieved from the duties of the office at the earliest practicable time. I would further earnestly request that your honorable body appoint a committee to thoroughly investigate the affairs of the office before they are turned over to my successor. With great respect I beg to remain very truly yours, A. P. Mitten, County Treasurer.' It was moved that the resignation of Mr. Mitten be accepted. The motion was seconded and carried by a unanimous vote. It was moved that the bond of John W. Maple, treasurer-elect, filed this the 18th day of February, 1895, be approved; no second. It was moved that the board declare the office of county treasurer vacant; seconded and carried, Commissioners Gasch and Nickerson voting in favor and Commissioner Heaton voting against it.
“Without desiring in any way to criticise the action of your honorable body or to question the correctness of your conclusions, I desire to take this opportunity of saying that my bond was signed according to instructions given by Prosecuting Attorney Hastie.”
This 1895 standoff over a treasurer's bond is a reminder that disputes over public accountability and the vetting of officials are nothing new. The board's refusal to approve a bond—and the treasurer's pointed resignation—illustrate how legal technicalities can become high-stakes political fights.
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