The Saloon-Keepers’ Council

In an editorial article of the Seattle Bulletin of last Saturday, after a statement concerning the non-business vocations of the six members of the Council—the members of the Council who represent the law-and-order element—the writer proceeds as follows: 'Of the two other members, whose views are always negatived by the majority, and who have no voice or influence in the Council beyond the privilege of recording their protests against the action of the majority, one is the largest capitalist and most influential business man in this city or Territory, one is the managing partner in the second largest wholesale house on Puget Sound, and the third the owner of the largest livery stable in Western Washington, with a branch in Victoria. Which portion of the Council best represents the true interests of the city, and which would naturally be most interested in our material welfare?' At first when I glanced over this I will confess that I was staggered. The contrast was apparently greatly in favor of the minority. But, grappling with the subject, I found this solution of the apparently anomalous position of the several Seattle men who compose the present Council: the largest capitalist in the Territory without doubt rents a greater number of buildings for saloon purposes than any man in this city or Territory, the second largest wholesale dealer on Puget Sound was a wholesale liquor dealer, and the owner of the largest livery stable in Western Washington is an ex-saloon keeper, the brother of a saloon keeper and one of a family who have long been credited with the unenviable reputation of carrying the first ward in any election. It cannot be necessary to point out to the intelligent readers of Seattle the obvious connection between these three members of the Council and the saloon interests of this city.