The School Bond Vote That Could Lower Seattle’s Taxes

The cause of nearly all bad government and poor legislation is to be found in the apathy of the non-voting citizen. Selfish interests vote early and marshal all their friends at the polls, but public interest stays at home and trembles at the inefficiency of the officers, the errors of the law and the burden of the taxes. If the question were squarely put to a citizen, 'Are you in favor of high taxes or low taxes?' he might stir himself to vote; and for that reason we may hope to see a good vote polled today in favor of substituting a low rate of interest for a high rate of interest.

The question submitted today is, in effect, 'Shall the school district continue to pay 8 per cent interest on warrants or shall it pay only 5 per cent on bonds?' If the warrants are not funded, not only will the higher rate of interest have to be paid, but next year and for two or three years beyond that the tax levy will have to be increased in order to call in the outstanding warrants.

The Post-Intelligencer has already at length explained the object of the election and if it fails to further urge the taxpayer to vote in favor of the bonds it is because it assumes that, placed in possession of the facts, the intelligent voter needs no further tutor than his own good judgment. We have no fear of a majority of the citizens of Seattle disapproving the proposition to fund; but we warn that majority that it is essential they do not leave the minority in control by themselves neglecting to vote. The proud motto of popular sovereignty is that 'every vote counts.' Your one vote is the vote that prevails.