CHAPTER I
POLITICAL HISTORY OF WALLA WALLA COUNTY SINCE COUNTY DIVISION
Beginning in 1876 with reduced area, but with rapid growth and with encouraging outlook in all lines, Walla Walla County entered upon what might be described as the third stage of her growth, that from county division to statehood in 1889.
It is of interest to note a few statistics of the period of transition. In 1870 the population of the Old County was 5,102. In 1877, the reduced county showed a population, according to the assessor, of 5,056, while Columbia County had, by the assessor's report of the same year, 3,618. By the report of 1875, still the Old County, the assessed valuation was $2,792,065. In 1876, the valuation of the reduced county was $2,296,870. There were reported at the same time 5,281 horses, 239 mules, 11,147 cattle, 13,233 sheep, 4,000 hogs, 1,774 acres of timothy, 700 acres of corn, 2,600 acres of oats, 6,000 acres of barley, 21,000 acres of wheat and 700 acres of fruit trees.
STATEHOOD AND CONSTITUTION
The political subject of greatest general interest was Statehood and a Constitutional Convention leading thereto. The project of annexation to Oregon was by no means dead. Senator Mitchell of Oregon continued the efforts made by Senator Kelly. A considerable local interest, supported by the Walla Walla Union, and its able editor, P. B. Johnson, still urged annexation. One favorite idea, which has taken shape from time to time since, was to join Eastern Oregon with Northern Idaho into a new state. In the Congressional session of 1877-8, Delegate Orange Jacobs requested a bill for introducing Washington to statehood with the three counties of Northern Idaho added. But no action was taken by Congress. In spite of that the Territorial Legislature in November, 1877, passed a law providing for an election to be held April 9, 1878, to choose delegates to a convention to meet at Walla Walla on June 11, 1878. Up to that time, as we have seen, repeated attempts to secure a vote for a convention had failed in Walla Walla. The act of the Legislature provided that the convention should consist of fifteen members from Washington, with one, having no vote, from Idaho.
In pursuance of the announcement the election was duly held, though with the scanty vote of 4,223, not half the number of voters in the territory. The convention duly met at Science Hall in Walla Walla, and W. A. George of that city, one of the leading lawyers as well as one of the most unique characters of the Inland Empire, acted as temporary chairman.
The permanent organization consisted of A. S. Abernethy of Cowlitz County as president, W. B. Daniels and William Clark as secretaries, and H. D. Cook as sergeant-at-arms. After a lengthy session the convention submitted a constitution which was voted upon at the next general election in November. Though a considerable majority was secured, exactly two-thirds, the total vote of 9,693 fell considerably short of the vote cast for delegate, and it seems to have been generally interpreted in Congress as evidence that the people of the territory did not consider the time ripe for statehood. The whole matter was, therefore, indefinitely postponed.
That same election of 1878 was notable for Walla Walla in several respects. Two citizens of the city were rival nominees for the position of congressional delegate, Thomas H. Brents for the republicans and Nathan T. Caton for the democrats. It was the first election in which the republicans won in Walla Walla County. Mr. Brents had a majority of 146 in the county and 1,301 in the territory. The political tide had turned and from that time to the present the republicans have been, on any ordinary issue, overwhelmingly in the majority. In 1880 Mr. Brents was again chosen delegate, this time against Thomas Burke, the democratic candidate, and by a majority of 1,797. During the first term Mr. Brent endeavored to induce Congress to confer statehood upon the territory but unavailingly. Still again in 1882 Mr. Brents was honored, and with him also Walla Walla, and in fact the territory honored itself in the re-election of one of its most useful and popular citizens, by another term as delegate. During the six years of Mr. Brents' incumbency the territory was making tremendous strides. The projection of the Northern Pacific and Oregon Short Line Railroads, the sale of Doctor Baker's railroad in 1879 to the O. R. & N. R. R., the Villard coup d'état in 1883 made the decade of the '80s the great building period for the territory and for Walla Walla. It was evident that there was abundant justification for the creation of a new state. Mr. Brents kept the subject alive in Congress up to and through 1885, when his term expired, and he was succeeded by one of the most brilliant and popular politicians and lawyers ever in the territory, C. S. Voorhees. Mr. Voorhees, son of the "Tall Sycamore of the Wabash," was, of course, a democrat, and though at that time quite young, exercised a large influence both at home and at the capital. He was twice chosen Delegate, in 1884 and 1886. In 1888 the office returned to Walla Walla and to the republican party. In that year John B. Allen began his distinguished career at the national capital. He had held the position of United States attorney, succeeding Judge Wingard, from 1875 to 1886. In the latter year he removed to Walla Walla, and his career from that time on was a part of the history of his home city and of the territory and state.
As we have seen, E. P. Ferry was governor at the time of county division in 1875. He held the office until 1880. W. A. Newell was the next governor holding the position for four years, when Watson C. Squire received the appointment, retaining the place till 1887. Following came Eugene Semple for two years. The period of statehood was now near at hand, and it may well be a matter of pride and interest to Walla Walla that by appointment of President Harrison the last territorial governor was a citizen of this place, Miles C. Moore. Governor Moore had left his home in Ohio in 1860 hardly more than a boy, and after some adventures in Montana, had reached Walla Walla in 1862, to become from that time onward one of the most eminent citizens as well as one of the foremost business men of the community and of the Northwest. It was recognized throughout the territory that the appointment was exceedingly fitting from the standpoint of capacity to fulfill the duties of the office, and was also a suitable compliment to the historic city and mother county of Walla Walla. Although Governor Moore's term was short, it possessed the unique interest of covering the transition from territoryhood to statehood of what in general judgment is destined to become one of the most important commonwealths of the Union, and hence it cannot in the nature of the case be duplicated by any other term.
HOMES ON PALOUSE STREET, WALLA WALLA
VIEW OF WALLA WALLA HOMES ON BIRCH STREET
ENABLING ACT
The Enabling Act of Congress, approved by President Harrison on February 22, 1889, had the unique distinction of being the only one providing for the erection of four states at once. These were Washington, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Montana. As indicating the fundamental basis on which the four states rest, the reader will be interested in the following provisions of the Enabling Act:
"And said conventions shall provide by ordinances irrevocable without the consent of the United States and the people of said states:
First. That perfect toleration of religious sentiment shall be secured, and that no inhabitant of said states shall ever be molested in person or property on account of his or her mode of religious worship.
Second. That the people inhabiting said proposed states do agree and declare that they forever disclaim all right and title to the unappropriated public lands lying within the boundaries thereof, and to all lands lying within said limits owned or held by any Indian or Indian tribes; and that until the title thereto shall have been extinguished by the United States, the same shall be and remain subject to the disposition of the United States, and said Indian lands shall remain under the absolute jurisdiction and control of the congress of the United States; that the lands belonging to citizens of the United States residing without the said state shall never be taxed at a higher rate than the lands belonging to residents thereof; that no taxes shall be imposed by the states on lands or property therein belonging to or which may hereafter be purchased by the United States or reserved for its use. But nothing herein, or in the ordinances herein provided for, shall preclude the said states from taxing as other lands are taxed, any lands owned or held by any Indian who has severed his tribal relations, and has obtained from the United States or from any person a title thereto by patent or other grant, save and except such lands as have been or may be granted to any Indian or Indians under any act of Congress containing a provision exempting the lands thus granted from taxation; but said ordinances shall provide that all such lands shall be exempt from taxation by said states so long and to such extent as such act of Congress may prescribe.
Third. That the debts and liabilities of said territories shall be assumed and paid by said states respectively.
Fourth. That provision shall be made for the establishment and maintenance of systems of public schools, which shall be open to all the children of said states and free from sectarian control."
In accordance with the Enabling Act, the Constitutional Convention of Washington Territory met at Olympia, July 4, 1889. The constitution prepared during the fifty-day session was ratified at the polls on October 1, 1889. Of the seventy-five members of the convention three represented Walla Walla, two were from Dayton, and one from Pomeroy. It may be safely said that every one was a man in whose knowledge and judgment his fellow citizens could repose confidence, while the personal character of each was such as to secure the hearty affection of his community. The entire convention, in fact, was a body of whom the state has always been proud, and being to a peculiar degree the result of popular choice the election of such men is a convincing evidence of the worth and capacity of democratic institutions. Not the least of the counties to be congratulated on their choices were those composing Old Walla Walla.
The members of the convention from Walla Walla included two of the foremost lawyers of the territory, Judge B. L. Sharpstein, whose long life left a legacy of good deeds to his city and state and whose foremost position at the bar has been maintained by his sons, and D. J. Crowley, one of the most brilliant lawyers ever known in the state, whose residence in Walla Walla was short, though his influence was great. His early death was a great loss to the state. Dr. N. G. Blalock, the "Good Doctor," honored and loved perhaps beyond any other man in the history of Walla Walla, was the other representative of his county. It was a source of just pride to Doctor Blalock that he was the author of the provision forbidding the sale of school land at less than ten dollars per acre. By this and other allied provisions the school lands have been handled in such a way as to provide a great sum for the actual use of the children of the commonwealth, instead of being shamefully squandered by culpable officials, as has been the experience in some states, notably our sister state of Oregon. Judge Sharpstein and Doctor Blalock were democrats in political faith, but neither was a partisan. Mr. Crowley was a republican.
S. G. Cosgrove of Pomeroy was the representative of Garfield and Asotin counties, one of the best of men and one of the ablest lawyers of his section, later elected governor of the state, but dying almost immediately after his inauguration, to the profound regret of men of all parties. He was an independent republican in politics. He had been a college classmate and intimate friend of Vice President Fairbanks. The delegates from Columbia County were M. M. Godman, a democrat, one of the leading lawyers and foremost politicians of the state, subsequently a member of the Public Service Commission of the State, and R. F. Sturdevant, a republican, also a lawyer of high ability and well proven integrity, afterwards the superior judge of this district.
By the twenty-second article of the Constitution the legislature was so apportioned that Asotin and Garfield counties constituted the Sixth Senatorial District entitled to one senator and each was entitled to one representative in the House; Columbia became the Seventh District, having one senator and two representatives; and Walla Walla composed the Eighth District with two senators, and in the House three representatives.
The first legislature of 1889-90 had in its senate, from our four counties, C. G. Austin of Pomeroy for Garfield and Asotin; H. H. Wolfe of Dayton for Columbia; Platt Preston of Waitsburg and George T. Thompson of Walla Walla for Walla Walla. The representatives were: William Farrish of Asotin City for Asotin and Garfield; H. B. Day of Dayton and A. H. Weatherford of Dayton for Columbia; and J. M. Cornwell of Dixie, J. C. Painter of Estes, and Z. K. Straight of Walla Walla for Walla Walla County.
That first legislature enacted that the senate should henceforth consist of thirty-four members, and the house of seventy-eight; that the counties of Garfield, Asotin, and Columbia should constitute the Eighth Senatorial District, entitled to one senator; that the counties of Franklin and Adams, and the Third and Fourth wards of the City of Walla Walla, and the precincts of Wallula, Frenchtown, Lower Touchet, Prescott, Hadley, Eureka, Hill and Baker, of Walla Walla County, should constitute the Ninth Senatorial District, entitled to one senator; that the First and Second wards of the City of Walla Walla, and the precincts of Waitsburg, Coppei, Dry Creek, Russell Creek, Mill Creek, Washington, and Small, should compose the Tenth Senatorial District, entitled to one senator; that Asotin should constitute the Eighth Representative District with one representative; Garfield, the Ninth with one representative; Columbia, the Tenth with one; the First and Second wards of Walla Walla City, with the precincts of Waitsburg, Coppei, Dry Creek, Russell Creek, Mill Creek, Washington, and Small, the Eleventh District with one representative; and the Third and Fourth wards of Walla Walla City, with the precincts of Wallula, Frenchtown, Lower Touchet, Prescott, Hadley, Eureka, Hill, and Baker, the Twelfth District with one representative.
Such was the induction of the State of Washington into the Union, and the representation of our four counties in the first Legislature. We shall give later the delegations to subsequent legislatures, with the lists of county officers.
Politics in the new state bubbled vigorously at once and during the twenty-seven years of statehood Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield, and Asotin have played their full parts in state affairs. To enter into an extended account of state politics is beyond the scope of this work. We can speak of it only at its points of contact with our county history.
In the first election of United States senators November, 1889, John B. Allen of Walla Walla, and Watson C. Squire were chosen, the former drawing the four-year term, which entitled him to the place until March 4, 1893. The senatorial election of 1893 was one of the most extraordinary in the history of such elections and involved a number of distinguished men in this section of the state. The fundamental struggle was between the adherents of John B. Allen of Walla Walla and George Turner of Spokane, both republicans. It became a factional fight of the bitterest type. One hundred and one ballots were taken unavailingly and then the Legislature adjourned sine die, with no choice. The last ballot records the names of two citizens of Walla Walla, one of Dayton, and one now, although not then, a citizen of Walla Walla. The Walla Walla candidates were John B. Allen with fifty votes, lacking seven of a majority, and Judge B. L. Sharpstein. The Dayton name was that of J. C. Van Patten, and the name of the present citizen of Walla Walla was Henry Drum, now warden of the penitentiary.
Upon the failure of the Legislature to elect, Governor McGraw appointed John B. Allen to fill the vacancy. Proceeding to Washington Mr. Allen presented his case to the Senate, but in that case, as in others, that body decided and very properly, that the state must go unrepresented until the Legislature could perform its constitutional duties. It is safe to say that that experience, with similar ones in other states, was one of the great influences in causing the amendment to the Constitution providing for direct election by the people. The spectacle of the Legislature neglecting its law-making functions to wrangle over the opposing ambitions of senatorial aspirants, fatally impaired the confidence of the people in the wisdom of the old method of choice. That amendment may be regarded also as one of the striking manifestations of American political evolution, in which there has come a recognition of the danger of legislative bodies, chosen by popular suffrage, becoming the tools of personal or corporate interests instead of the servants of the people who chose them, and by which, in consequence, the evils of popular government are being remedied by being made more popular.
Two other citizens of Walla Walla have represented the state in the National Congress, and several others have been willing to. These are Levi Ankeny and Miles Poindexter, the latter having begun his political career at Walla Walla, but having removed to Spokane and become superior judge there before entering upon his term as congressman in 1909 and senator in 1911, to be re-elected in 1916. Senator Ankeny, one of the most prominent of the permanent citizens of Walla Walla, and one of the greatest bankers in the Northwest, being president of eleven banks in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, was elected senator in 1903 and served until 1909. He was deservedly popular throughout the section in which he lived, for his broad and generous business methods as well as for his general character. During the hard times of the '90s, in which many of the farmers of Walla Walla and Columbia counties were next door to ruin, it is remembered that Mr. Ankeny could have acquired by foreclosure of his immense loans lands whose value is now tenfold the amount of the mortgages of those hard times. But by aiding and encouraging the struggling farmers of that time and neglecting the advantage which he himself might have gained he kept them upon their feet and thus conferred an immeasurable benefit not only upon individuals, but upon the country as a whole. During Mr. Ankeny's term in the Senate extensive improvements were made in the buildings at Fort Walla Walla.
THE PENITENTIARY
Another of the leading political connections of Walla Walla County with the state was the penitentiary. This institution was removed from Seatco to Walla Walla in 1887. The county commissioners at that time were F. W. Paine, Francis Lowden, and Platt Preston. These men, and particularly Mr. Paine, felt that not only from the standpoint of the state, for desirability of location and economy of subsistence, but from the fact that constructive works might be operated which could be of benefit to the farmers of the region, this change of place would be wise. The most distinctive features of labor have been the brick yards, which did a very large and profitable work for many years and were discontinued in 1900 to allow the management to put the main force upon the jute mills, for the making of grain bags and rugs and other fabrics. This system of constructive labor by the inmates of the penitentiary is to be attributed largely to the intelligent business conceptions as well as philanthropic interest in the men by Mr. F. W. Paine and Mr. W. K. Kirkman. They had formed the impression that for the sake of health of mind and body in the prisoners systematic labor was a necessity, and also that the products of that labor might go for to lighten the burdens of tax payers. Their theory has been triumphantly vindicated by the history of the penitentiary. Not at all times in the thirty years of its existence has the institution been conducted in the interest either of reclamation of criminals or of saving expense to the state. As in all such cases there have been times when the main aims were political rather than penal or economic, and there have been still more times when the other party said they were, even when governors, boards, and wardens were doing their best in the public interest.
| Warden's Residence | Work Shops |
| Administration Building | |
| The Hospital | The Jute Mill |
| BUILDINGS OF THE WASHINGTON STATE PENITENTIARY | |
The wardens in order of service, several of them being citizens of Walla Walla, and about an equal number coming from other parts of the state, have been John Justice, F. L. Edmiston, John McClees, J. H. Coblentz, Thomas Mosgrove, J. B. Catron, Frank Kees, F. A. Dryden, Charles Reed and Henry Drum.
There have been a number of tragic events in the history of the penitentiary of which perhaps the most thrilling was the attempted escape of a large number of prisoners during the wardenship of Mr. McClees in 1891. At that time it was the practice to run a train of flat cars to Dixie to get clay for the brick yards. Two desperadoes conceived the idea of capturing a train as it went through the gate, loading a number of prisoners on it, running to Dixie, there turning loose on the farms, getting horses and provisions, and striking out for the mountains. It was a bold, well-conceived project and came near execution. A number of prisoners were "in" on the scheme, and at the given signal, several who were experienced engineers and firemen performed their part of the plot by seizing the locomotive. At the same instant the two ringleaders by a bold dash seized Warden McClees and walked him toward the gate, commanding him on pain of instant death to order the opening of the gates and the clearing of the track for the passage of the train. The warden preserved most extraordinary nerve, even while the two ruffians were holding over his head knives which they had snatched up from the kitchen. In the instant he called out to Phil Berry, one of the guards on the wall, whom he knew to be a dead shot, "Be cool, Phil, take your time!" Even while the two knives were in the very act to strike, Berry's rifle cracked twice in succession, and the leaders fell on either side of the warden, each with a bullet in his heart. About the quickest work of the kind ever known here or elsewhere. The fall of the leaders disconcerted the whole program, and after a few moments of intense excitement the guards got control of the situation, and the affair was all over.
Another of the desperate events was the case of Warden J. H. Coblentz. He was an appointee of Governor McGraw and was the most conspicuous example of a purely political appointment. After a slashing career in which he endeavored to dictate the politics of the county purely in the interest of himself and his clique he found himself on the verge of exposure for irregularities in his accounts. Governor McGraw with other state officers came to Walla Walla to investigate, and while they were in the penitentiary office conducting the investigation, Coblentz, seeing that conviction was inevitable and knowing that if he himself became an innate of the penitentiary along with the prisoners whom he had abused, his life was not worth a nickel, anticipated the verdict, and snatching up a pistol, put it to his head and fell dead in the presence of the governor.
It is no disparagement to the earlier wardens—for the conditions probably did not make earlier action feasible—to say that Mr. Reed and Mr. Drum have represented a new order in the history of the penitentiary. Both have been students of criminology, are thinkers and philanthropists, and have inaugurated advanced methods which have placed the Washington penitentiary in the front rank of well conducted institutions of its class.
LOCAL POLITICAL HISTORY
Turning now from state connections to matters local to Walla Walla County it may be said that there was during the period of 1875-89 a marked tendency to that political conservatism which is apt to characterize a growing agricultural community. Walla Walla, like Portland, has been since its first era more of the Eastern type than of the characteristically Western. The general tendency has been, in politics as in business, to play safe and not make reckless experiments. This attitude is denominated wisdom or moss-backism by different parties very much according to their viewpoint, and especially whether they are "in" or "out." The great "isms" which swept the country in the '80s and '90s, populistic movements as represented by Bryan and other great leaders, in general received the cold shoulder from Walla Walla. That statement should be qualified to considerable degree, however, by the fact that the combination of democrats, populists, and silver republicans, carried several elections, and that even the republican leaders very largely accepted the doctrine of "16 to 1."
There were also, even in conservative Walla Walla, many enthusiastic followers of Governor John R. Rogers, "Wheat Chart" Jones, Judge Ronald, and that most brilliant and spectacular of all the politicians of the period, the "pink-whiskered" James Hamilton Lewis, whose great abilities, even under the outward guise of certain "airs" and "fopperies," have been conceded by his critics and detractors down to the present date of his distinguished service as senator from Illinois. It is remembered, however, by men of both parties that at a certain historic joint debate in Walla Walla on October 22, 1898, even the brilliant "Dude Lewis" was somewhat seriously "beaten up," metaphorically speaking, by Wesley L. Jones, and that the former somewhat lost prestige as a result, and that the latter was launched by that event upon what has proved to be a continuous service in Congress as representative and senator from 1899 to the present date.
A few figures of elections during that period will be found of interest. In 1889, Ferry, republican candidate for governor, the first under statehood, received in Walla Walla County 1,433 votes to 1,186 for Semple, the democratic candidate. In 1892 McGraw, republican, had 1,211 to 1,322 for Snively, democrat. There were a few votes for Greene and Young in the latter election, so that the total vote in 1892 was 2,897, as against 2,619 in 1889.
The presidential vote of 1892 shows that Walla Walla County cast for the highest republican elector 1,362 ballots and for the highest democratic 1,313, with a few for the people's party and prohibitionists, a total of 2,889. In the presidential election of 1896, the republican vote was 1,596, the people's party (fusion of democrats, populists and silver republicans) had a vote of 1,652, while there were a few prohibitionists and gold democrats, a total of 3,349. Comparing these figures with those of 1908 and 1916, the following interesting results appear: in 1908. Bryan, 1,660; Taft, 2,843; a few for others, so that the total was 4,676; for governor, Pattison, democrat, 1,881; Cosgrove, republican, 2,670—total vote, 4,551. In 1916, results were: Wilson, 4,421; Hughes, 4,403; total, 8,824; for senator, Turner, democrat, 3,328; Poindexter, progressive republican, 5,454; for governor, Lister, democrat, 4,991; McBride, republican, 4,040. The great increase in the last election is due to woman suffrage.
Analysis of the above and of other election returns plainly signifies that while Walla Walla County may in general terms be considered conservative, there is a healthy balance of parties, and that no particular group of politicians can count with any certainty on "delivering the goods." The result of the last election in these counties of Old Walla Walla, as well as the state at large and indeed the West as a whole, may be considered as a demonstration of the progressive and independent spirit of this new country, which resents "bossism" and "back-room" politics and moves ever steadily toward genuine democratic government. While on general views of historic questions, particularly those concerned with slavery and secession and those bearing upon nationalism as against state rights, these sections are overwhelmingly republican, after the historic views of Clay, Webster, Lincoln, Seward, Blaine, and other national leaders, yet upon the newer issues of economics, government control of railroads and other public utilities, and foreign relations, they may be counted on to do their own thinking and to make decisions very disconcerting to the old-time bosses.
In connection with the figures which we gave it is interesting as a side light on population and the shiftings of growth to give here certain figures of comparison between Old Walla Walla and other parts of the state in early days and now. In 1880 the largest urban center was Walla Walla, with 3,588 people, Seattle was next with 3,533. Spokane had 350. In 1890, Walla Walla had 4,709; Seattle 42,837; Spokane, 19,922. In 1910, Walla Walla, 19,364; Seattle, 237,194; Spokane, 104,402. In 1917, estimated: Walla Walla, 25,000; Seattle, 330,843; Spokane, 125,000. The enormous increase in population upon the Sound as commercial center, and at Spokane as a prospective manufacturing and an actual railroad center, is simply an indication of the natural tendencies of trade and industry characteristic of the world's growth. A purely agricultural region cannot expect to keep pace with those marked out by nature for commerce and manufacturing.
It is, however, an interesting point in the history of Walla Walla whether, if it had "taken the tide at the flood," it might not have maintained its leadership as an inland city. It is a favorite idea with some of the best observers among the old-timers that Walla Walla, instead of Spokane, might have been the manufacturing and transportation center for the Inland Empire, if certain conditions had been fulfilled. The first of those was location. The true spot for the large city in the Walla Walla Valley was where Touchet is now located. While Walla Walla is an admirable location for a large town, the Touchet region is better. The great point, however, is elevation. Walla Walla is 920 feet above sea level, Touchet is 447. Walla Walla is thirty-two miles from the Columbia River, Touchet is sixteen. It would have been quite feasible to make a canal from Touchet to the Columbia. That question was agitated and if the town had been there instead of on Mill Creek, it would no doubt have been made. If that had been done, or even if not, the railroad and wagon haul to Touchet was so much easier and shorter, as to represent a great saving in cost of transportation. If that condition of location had been realized, and if inducements had been offered to the Northern Pacific Railroad builders, it is asserted by those who know that that railroad would have preferred Walla Walla (or Touchet) as its chief point in interior Washington. The difference between 920 and 447 feet would have been determinative of grades. The Northern Pacific officials were really desirous—so it is claimed—to take a more southern route, following the Mullan Road through the Bitter Roots, then down the Clearwater and the Snake to a point on the Lower Walla Walla. Finding no local encouragement or inducements, they finally undertook the more northern route, and Spokane is the result. However, all that is matter of conjecture, rather than demonstration.
WOMAN SUFFRAGE AND PROHIBITION
One of the questions of Walla Webs politics, as of the rest of the state and indeed of the country, was woman suffrage. As the logical evolution of democracy that view of suffrage appealed to the Western man, and the conventional objections had little weight with him. Pressure was brought from all sides upon the legislative delegations to submit the proposition to a popular election—and when that occurred in 1908, it carried in the county and the state by a heavy vote. It has seemed to the voters of both sexes so natural a condition that they can now hardly conceive of any other. The woman suffrage amendment came with a remarkable quietude and almost as a matter of course.
Far more vigorously contested was the question of prohibition. For many years Waitsburg and almost all the farming country had been strongly in favor of prohibition. Waitsburg had under the local option law excluded saloons. But the saloon influences were strong in Walla Walla City, and underground agencies of sundry kinds had maintained a tight grip on municipal politics. At various times somewhat spasmodic waves of moral reform swept over the city, as in the organization of the Municipal League in 1896 and in other similar movements at later times. But in general both city and county politics, as in most parts of the United States, were seemingly dominated by the liquor interests. Yet all through those years there was in progress one of those elemental popular movements going down to the very foundations of society which when finally directed toward a definite end become irresistible. Moral, economic, sanitary, educational, religious, domestic influences, were for a generation moulding the opinions of an army of voters and the combined effect began to be manifest from about 1900 onward to a degree that even the blindest could not fail to see. In 1908, 1910 and 1912, a determined and growing effort by the farmers who had seen the economic loss through laborers and even their own sons going to town and carousing and so losing a day or more every week, started a corresponding movement in town. At first not successful, the campaign kept gaining. Councilmen in the city and commissioners in the county were chosen more and more in the direction of reform. The churches, Young Men's Christian Association, schools, women's organizations, Salvation Army, Good Templars, and especially the Anti-Saloon League, each contributed its push. A city election under the local option law occurred in 1912. The conservative business interests opposed the proposition and even imported distinguished speakers from the East, particularly from the beer center, Milwaukee, and on election day the liquor traffic (styled "Personal Liberty") was still in the saddle. But it was clear that the vote of the city, combined with that of the county, would come back with greater strength in another election, and some of the more far-seeing liquor dealers began arrangements to enter other business. In the great historical election of 1914, the State of Washington secured a definite prohibition law by referendum, though with the "permit" system of personal importation of limited amounts of liquor. Walla Walla County was one of the strong counties in support of the law, being surpassed only by Yakima and Whitman in majority for the measure. It was to a degree an "East Side" victory, for the East Side gave over 25,000 affirmative while the West Side, due to the heavy negative vote of Seattle, gave 10,000 negative. None who was in Walla Walla during the strenuous campaign in October of 1914 will forget the powerful addresses in favor of the law by H. S. Blandford, one of the most eloquent speakers known in this section. His thrilling appeals and incontrovertible arguments brought many voters to the standard of prohibition. His lamented death in 1915 robbed the Walla Walla bar of one of its brightest ornaments.
HOME OF B. P. O. ELKS NO. 287, WALLA WALLA
Old John Barleycorn died hard, and in the election of 1916 the battle was fought over again by a vote on several initiative and referendum measures, as a result of which the "permit" system was replaced by a "bone-dry" law, and the liquor propositions were buried so deep that no resurrection now seems possible. In Walla Walla the gloomy predictions as to unused buildings and ruined business and overwhelming taxation have failed of fulfillment to a degree to make them absurd.
The most prominent questions of local improvement during recent years in Walla Walla County have been the new courthouse and the paving and other improvement of roads. Several elections of commissioners turned upon the first question. There were three propositions ardently advocated from 1910 to 1914. One was to repair the old building, though it had been condemned by experts; another was to make a costly structure at a maximum outlay of $300,000; the third proposal was for a substantial, but plain and modest building, of approximately a cost of $150,000. The latter proposition commended itself to the general judgment, and the commissioners of 1912 and 1914, H. A. Reynolds, E. D. Eldridge, and J. L. Reavis, interpreted their election as a commission to proceed with such a plan. The result has been realized in one of the most fitting and dignified and altogether attractive, though not showy, courthouses in the state, a just pride to the county and an object of admiration to visitors.
Of the road question it may only be said that it is in a formative state. Much money has been wasted in both city and country by ill-constructed pavements, and it can only be hoped that the next decade will see more definite progress than has characterized the experimental stage of the last.
We have given in a preceding chapter the tabulation of county officials to the time of county division in 1875. We now present the legislative delegations and the chief county officials from that date to the present:
LEGISLATIVE DELEGATIONS AND THE CHIEF COUNTY OFFICIALS
In 1876, Walla Walla County was represented in the Legislature by Daniel Stewart, councilman, and W. T. Barnes, William Martin, A. J. Gregory, and H. A. Vansycle, representatives. The county officers were: T. J. Anders, attorney; G. F. Thomas, sheriff; T. P. Page, auditor; W. O'Donnell, treasurer; Samuel Jacobs, assessor; P. Zahner, surveyor; A. W. Sweeney, superintendent of schools; L. H. Goodwin, coroner; D. J. Storms, James Braden, and Dion Keefe, commissioners.
The election in 1878 resulted thus: J. H. Day, councilman; J. A. Taylor, D. J. Storms, J. M. Dewar, and M. F. Colt, representatives; R. F. Sturdevant, attorney; R. Guichard, probate judge; J. B. Thompson, sheriff; W. C. Painter, auditor; J. F. Boyer, treasurer; S. Jacobs, assessor; P. Zahner, surveyor; C. W. Wheeler, superintendent of schools; J. M. Boyd, coroner; M. B. Ward, Amos Cummings and S. H. Erwin, commissioners.
In 1880, election results were these: B. L. Sharpstein, councilman; Jacob Hoover, joint councilman; R. R. Rees and W. G. Preston, representatives; J. M. Cornwell, joint representative; R. Guichard, probate judge; G. T. Thompson, attorney; W. C. Painter, auditor; J. B. Thompson, sheriff; J. F. Boyer, treasurer; S. Jacobs, assessor; F. H. Loehr, surveyor; C. W. Wheeler, superintendent of schools; H. G. Mauzey, coroner; M. B. Ward, Amos Cummings and S. H. Erwin, commissioners; A. S. LeGrow, sheep commissioner. As may be seen from the above, nearly all the incumbents of 1878 were re-elected for another term. That policy became common in subsequent elections.
In 1882 we find the following choices: H. H. Hungate, A. G. Lloyd, and Milton Evans, representatives; G. T. Thompson, attorney; W. C. Painter, auditor; J. B. Thompson, sheriff; J. F. Boyer, treasurer; William Harkness, assessor; F. H. Loehr, surveyor; J. W. Brock, school superintendent; R. Guichard, probate judge; M. B. Ward, Amos Cummings, and S. H. Erwin, commissioners; W. B. Wells, coroner; A. S. LeGrow, sheep commissioner.
The choices in 1884 were these: J. F. Brewer, William Fudge, and J. M. Dewar, representatives; E. K. Hanna, attorney; W. C. Painter, auditor; A. S. Bowles, sheriff; J. F. Boyer, treasurer; L. H. Bowman, assessor; J. B. Wilson, surveyor; J. W. Morgan, superintendent of schools; R. Guichard, probate judge; H. R. Keylor, coroner; Amos Cummings, W. P. Reser, and W. G. Babcock, commissioners; A. S. LeGrow, sheep commissioner.
In 1886, results were as follows: Platt Preston and W. M. Clark, representatives; L. R. Hawley, auditor; A. S. Bowles, sheriff; J. F. Boyer, treasurer; M. H. Paxton, assessor; J. M. Allen, surveyor; Ellen Gilliam, superintendent of schools; T. C. Taylor, Joseph Paul, and Edwin Weary, commissioners; H. R. Keylor, coroner; Timothy Barry, sheep commissioner.
The election of 1888 brought these results: J. M. Dewar, councilman; E. L. Powell, W. H. Upton, and L. T. Parker, representatives; T. J. Anders, attorney; L. R. Hawley, auditor; J. M. McFarland, sheriff; M. McManamon, Edwin Weary, and J. W. Morgan, commissioners; H. W. Eagan, probate judge; J. F. Boyer, treasurer; M. H. Paxton, assessor; J. B. Gehr, school superintendent; L. W. Loehr, surveyor; Y. C. Blalock, coroner.
In 1889 came entrance to statehood, and of that we have already spoken. The election of October 1st, of that year provided for the choice of congressmen, state officers, legislators, judge of Superior Court, and county clerk. Of the first two we have given the ranks earlier.
The following were chosen members of that first State Legislature: George T. Thompson and Platt Preston, senators; J. C. Painter, J. M. Cornwell and Z. K. Straight, representatives.
All the above were republicans.
William H. Upton became superior judge for the district, including Walla Walla and Franklin counties. E. B. Whitman was chosen county clerk. Both were republicans. One strange thing was that Walla Walla, like the other counties of the group, voted against the Constitution.
The year 1890 saw the following members of the Legislature and local officers chosen: J. L. Sharpstein, dem., and J. C. Painter, rep., representatives; H. S. Blandford, dem., attorney; H. W. Eagan, dem., clerk; W. B. Hawley, rep., auditor; J. M. McFarland, rep., sheriff; R. Guichard, dem., treasurer; J. M. Hill, rep., Milton Aldrich, rep., and Francis Lowden, dem., commissioners; J. B. Gehr, rep., superintendent of schools; M. H. Paxton, rep., assessor; Y. C. Blalock, rep., coroner; L. W. Loehr, rep., surveyor.
Of the interesting national and state choices of 1892, we have already given the figures. The legislative and local results were these: A. Cameron, rep., Joseph Merchant, rep., and David Miller, dem., representatives; J. L. Roberts, rep., senator; W. H. Upton, rep., superior judge; H. W. Eagan, dem., clerk; Miles Poindexter, dem., attorney; W. B. Hawley, rep., and J. J. Huffman, dem., had a tie for auditor, and by mutual agreement the office was divided, each serving as principal one year and as deputy one year; C. C. Gose, dem., sheriff; H. H. Hungate, dem., treasurer; Edward McDonnell, J. B. Caldwell, and F. M. Lowden, all democrats, commissioners; E. L. Brunton, rep., superintendent of schools; T. H. Jessup, dem., assessor; J. B. Wilson, rep., surveyor; C. B. Stewart, dem., coroner.
As will be seen, that was a democratic year, eleven to seven.
The election of 1894, the "calamity year," reversed conditions, two democrats, Ellingsworth for sheriff and Nalder for commissioner, being the only successful democratic candidates. The outcome was thus: Joseph Merchant and J. W. Morgan, representatives; Mr. Morgan having but two the lead of Francis Garracht, his democratic competitor; R. H. Ormsbee, attorney; Le F. A. Shaw, clerk; A. H. Crocker, auditor; Wm. Ellingsworth, sheriff; M. H. Paxton, treasurer; E. L. Brunton, superintendent of schools; J. B. Wilson, assessor; E. S. Clark, surveyor; S. M. White, coroner; Frank Nalder and Amos Cummings, commissioners.
The year 1896 brings us to the great "16 to 1" campaign, Bryan and the "cross of gold," populists, and general upset of all political programs. In local, as in the national votes, the "Pp." appears with somewhat startling frequency.
Results appear as follows: John I. Yeend, Pp., state senator, ninth district; David Miller, Pp., state senator, tenth district; A. Matthoit, Pp., representative, eleventh district; J. H. Marshall, rep., representative, twelfth district; T. H. Brents, rep., judge Superior Court; Frank Sharpstein, Pp., attorney; A. H. Crocker, rep., auditor; J. E. Mullinix; Pp., clerk; Wm. Ellingsworth, Pp., sheriff; M. H. Paxton, rep., treasurer; E. S. Clark, rep., surveyor; Wm. Gholson, Pp., assessor; G. S. Bond, rep., superintendent of schools; W. D. Smith, rep., coroner; Milton Evans, Pp., and Oscar Drumheller, Pp., commissioners. Nine "Pps." and seven "Repubs."
In 1898 the normal dominance of the republicans was re-established. The democrats succeeded in electing the treasurer only, of all their candidates. Results were as follows: C. C. Gose, representative, twelfth district; Grant Copeland, representative, eleventh district; Frank Kees, sheriff; Schuyler Arnold, clerk; C. N. McLean, auditor; J. W. McGhee, Jr., treasurer, the solitary democrat; Oscar Cain, attorney; Walter Cadman, assessor; G. S. Bond, school superintendent; W. G. Sayles, surveyor; Y. C. Blalock, coroner; Delos Coffin and D. C. Eaton, commissioners.
Beginning with 1900 the results of elections placed the following in their respective positions:
1900—Superior judge, Thos. H. Brents; county auditor, Clark N. McLean; county sheriff, A. Frank Kees; county clerk, Schuyler Arnold; county treasurer, Wm. B. Hawley; county attorney, Oscar Cain; county surveyor, Willis G. Sayles; superintendent of schools, E. Elmer Myers; county coroner, Samuel A. Owens; commissioner first district, Delos Coffin (hold over); commissioner second district, Edward Cornwell; commissioner third district, Amos Cummings; justice of peace, Wm. Glasford; constable, J. C. Hillman.
1902—County sheriff, Charles S. Painter; county clerk, Arthur A. Hauerbach; county auditor, James Z. Smith; county treasurer, William B. Hawley; county prosecuting attorney, Lester S. Wilson; county assessor, Richard J. Berryman; superintendent of schools, J. Elmer Myers; county surveyor, Lewis W. Loehr; county coroner, Winfield D. Smith; county commissioner first district, Frank E. Smith; commissioner third district, J. N. McCaw; commissioner second district, Edward Cornwell (hold over); justice of peace, James J. Huffman; county constable, L. C. Goodwin.
1904—Superior judge, Thos. H. Brents; county sheriff, Charles S. Painter; county clerk, Dorsey M. Hill; county auditor, W. J. Honeycutt; county treasurer, Philip B. Hawley; county prosecuting attorney, Lester S. Wilson; county assessor, Richard J. Berryman; county superintendent of schools, Grant S. Bond; county surveyor, Lewis W. Loehr; county coroner, Winfield D. Smith; commissioner first district, Geo. Struthers; commissioner second district, John H. Morrow; commissioner third district, J. N. McCaw (hold over); justice of peace, James J. Huffman; constable, Nels O. Peterson.
1906—County sheriff, James S. Haviland; county clerk, Dorsey M. Hill; county auditor, J. N. McCaw; county treasurer, Wm. J. Honeycutt; county prosecuting attorney, Otto B. Rupp; county assessor, Michael Toner; county superintendent of schools, Grant S. Bond; county surveyor, Geo. Winkle; county coroner, Geo. MacMartin; commissioner second district, J. L. Harper; commissioner third district, Wm. G. Cordiner; commissioner first district, Geo. Struthers (hold over); justice of peace, J. J. Huffman; constable, N. O. Peterson.
1908—Superior judge, Thos. H. Brents; county sheriff, J. S. Haviland; county clerk, James Williams; county auditor, J. N. McCaw; county treasurer, J. Carter Smith; county prosecuting attorney, Everett J. Smith; county assessor, Mike Toner; county superintendent of schools, Josephine Preston; county engineer, G. W. Winkle; county coroner, Geo. MacMartin; commissioner first district, Fred Greenville; commissioner third district, Chas. F. Cummings; commissioner second district, J. L. Harper (hold over); justice of peace, T. M. McKinney; constable, N. O. Peterson.
1910—County sheriff, Michael Toner; county clerk, E. L. Casey; county auditor, Jack W. Sweazy; county treasurer, J. Carter Smith; county assessor, L. R. Hawley; county superintendent of schools, Josephine Preston; county prosecuting attorney, E. J. Smith; county engineer, L. W. Loehr; county coroner, Emmett Hennessey; commissioner first district, J. N. McCaw; commissioner second district, Marcus Zuger, Jr.; commissioner third district, Chas. F. Cummings (hold over).
1912—Superior judge, Thos. H. Brents; county sheriff, M. Toner; county clerk, E. L. Casey; county auditor, J. W. Sweazy; county treasurer, Alex Mackay; county prosecuting attorney, M. A. Stafford; county assessor, L. R. Hawley; commissioner second district, H. D. Eldridge; commissioner third district, Jim L. Reavis; commissioner first district, J. N. McCaw (hold over); justice of peace, T. M. McKinney; constable, N. O. Peterson; county superintendent of schools, Paul Johnson; county engineer, E. B. Shifley; county coroner, Emmett Hennessey.
1914—County sheriff, Lee Barnes; county auditor, C. F. Dement; county engineer, G. C. Cookerly; county assessor, Rolla Proudfoot; county prosecuting attorney, Earl W. Benson (J. W. Cookerly was chosen coroner, but on account of irregularity of law, the attorney performed duties of office); county clerk, Ed Buffum; county treasurer, Guy Allen Turner; county superintendent of schools, Paul Johnson; county justice of peace, T. M. McKinney; county constable, N. O. Peterson; superior judge, Ed C. Mills; commissioners, H. D. Eldridge, H. A. Reynolds and J. L. Reavis.
1916—County sheriff, Lee Barnes; county auditor, Chas. F. Dement; county clerk, Ed F. Buffum; county assessor, H. S. Buffum; county engineer, Grova C. Cookerly; county treasurer, Guy Allen Turner; county superintendent of schools, Paul Johnson; county prosecuting attorney, M. A. Stafford; county coroner, Geo. MacMartin; justice of peace, J. M. Douglass; county constable, Jack McKinzie; superior judge, Ed C. Mills; commissioners, A. C. Moore, J. L. Reavis and D. C. Eaton.
POLITICAL HISTORY OF THE CITY
Municipal politics demand our attention in the remainder of this chapter. Containing over two-thirds of the population of the county, as Walla Walla City does, it would be expected that it would control county affairs to a great degree. But it has usually happened, very fortunately, that the smaller towns, with the country precincts, have held the balance of power between contending factions in the city. Hence, there has been general harmony of action in the political development of the two units. The city has had its life and the county has had its life.
We have already considered or will consider so many of the important phases of the life of the city under topical subjects, schools, churches, newspapers, lodges and industries, that relatively little remains under the more distinctive heading of municipal politics. After the initial organization already described in earlier chapters we may perhaps say that the next marked state was the new charter granted by the Legislature in 1883. That was a special charter, the only one of the kind in the state. Under its provisions the council on February 22, 1884, passed an ordinance, No. 185, which divided the city into wards and provided for a number of councilmen. As a matter of historical reference, we deem it worth while to incorporate that ordinance here:
Ordinance No. 185 passed the council of the City of Walla Walla February 22, 1884, receiving the approval of the mayor on the same day, and being entitled as follows: "An ordinance to divide the City of Walla Walla into wards, and apportionment of councilmen." The text of the ordinance is as follows:
Section 1. The City of Walla Walla shall be and is hereby divided into four wards, to be known as the first, second, third, and fourth wards.
Sec. 2. The first ward shall be bounded as follows: Commencing at a point where the center of Main Street intersects the center of Third Street, thence southerly along the center of Third Street to the center of Birch Street, thence easterly along the center of Birch Street to the center of Second Street, thence southerly along the center of Second Street to the south boundary of the city; thence along the south boundary of the city easterly to the southeast corner of the city; thence northerly along the east boundary of the city to the center of Mill Creek; thence down Mill Creek to the center of East Main Street; thence along the center of East Main and Main streets in a westerly direction to the place of beginning.
Sec. 3. The second ward shall be bounded as follows: Beginning at the intersection of Main and Third streets; thence southwesterly along the center of Main Street to the west boundary line of the city; thence south along the west boundary line of the city to the southwest corner of the city; thence easterly along the south boundary of the city to the center of Second Street; thence northerly along the center of Second Street to the center of Birch Street; thence west along the center of Birch Street to the center of Third Street; thence northerly along Third Street to the place of beginning.
Sec. 4. The third ward shall be bounded as follows: Beginning at the center of Main and North Third streets where they intersect, thence running northerly on the center line of North Third Street to the center of Elm Street; thence northeasterly on the center line of Elm Street to the center line of North Second Street; thence northerly on the center line of North Second Street to the northern boundary line of the city; thence east along said northern boundary line of said city to the northeast corner of the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section twenty (20), in township seven (7) north, range thirty-six (36) east; thence south to the northeast corner of the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of said section twenty (20); thence east to the northeast corner of the city; thence south to the center of Mill Creek; thence down the center of Mill Creek to the center of East Main Street; thence westerly along the center of East Main and Main streets to the place of beginning.
Sec. 5. The fourth ward shall be bounded as follows: Commencing at the center of Main and North Third streets where they intersect, thence running northerly on the center line of said North Third Street to the center of Elm Street, thence northeasterly on the center line of Elm Street to the center of North Second Street; thence northerly on the center line of North Second Street to the northern boundary line of the city; thence west on said northern boundary line to the northwest corner of said city; thence south along said west boundary line to the United States Military Reservation; thence easterly and then southerly on the line of said military reservation to the center of Main Street; thence easterly on the center line of Main Street to the place of beginning.
ARTESIAN WELL, WALLA WALLA COUNTY
Sec. 6. The number of councilmen to which each ward is entitled shall be as follows: First ward, two councilmen; second ward, two councilmen; third ward, two councilmen; fourth ward, one councilman. And they shall be elected as is provided in section 7 of this ordinance.
Sec. 7. There shall be elected from the first, second and third wards each at the next general election and at every general election thereafter, one councilman, and in the fourth ward at the next general election and thereafter biennially, one councilman.
Sec. 8. All ordinances and parts of ordinances, so far as they conflict herewith, are hereby repealed.
ELECTION PRECINCTS
The city is divided into eight election precincts, designated as follows: Lewis, Clarke, Whitman, Steptoe, Mullan, Fremont, Stevens and Sims.
COMMISSION GOVERNMENT
Yet another change of great importance occurred by which in a special election of July 10, 1911, the commission form of government was adopted, 1,943 for and 1,049 against. This went into effect September 11, 1911, with A. J. Gillis as mayor. This step was one of the manifestations of that interesting evolution of political ideas common over the United States, perhaps especially in the West consisting of two working propositions which seem antagonistic and yet are not really so, but are rather parts of one movement under two different phases. The first has been the initiative and referendum and recall, by which in legislative matters a larger exercise of popular knowledge and oversight of laws is sought. That idea has a permanent place in Washington and most western states. The other idea is that of the commission form of city government, apparently just the reverse, by which executive authority is centralized and responsibility is localized in the hands of experts. If these two working forces may be harmonized in practical action, we may justly claim to have solved the fundamental questions of democracy and efficiency.
MUNICIPAL OWNERSHIP OF WATER WORKS
Municipal ownership of water works and the creation of a system of sewerage have been two of the most important of all questions in the city. We have already described the water system inaugurated by J. D. Cook, J. P. Isaacs and H. P. Isaacs and subsequently acquired by the Baker-Boyer Bank. On July 11, 1881, the first election on municipal ownership occurred, and the proposal was defeated by an adverse majority of sixty-five. But the natural evolution of a city calls for the public ownership of the water system, and the agitation continued. In 1887 the Walla Walla Water Company had made a contract with the council by which, upon the fulfillment of certain improvements, they were to have exclusive right to furnish water for twenty-five years. But in spite of the contract, an ordinance providing for a public system was presented to the voters in 1893 under the mayoralty of John L. Roberts. By an overwhelming vote the ordinance carried. The water company brought suit to restrain the city from installing its system, pleading its contract. After a tedious course of litigation the suit at last reached the Supreme Court of the United States. There it was decided in favor of the Water Company. The city was thus left in a hole, after much expense. But popular opinion had become thoroughly committed to the policy of public ownership and by a special election on June 20, 1899, an ordinance was passed for the purchase of the entire property of the Water Company for the sum of $250,000. With the purchase of the water system went also the adoption of a sewerage system. Many improvements and extensions have been made of both. In April, 1907, the headworks and intake on Mill Creek were installed. Extracts from the last report of Water Supt. R. F. McLean are here inserted and from them can be derived a view of the present condition of the water and sewerage systems:
The present mileage of the pipes in the water system is approximately seventy miles, of which something more than twelve is in the conduits extending from the intake to the city, and something more than fifty-seven is in the distribution pipes. The number of fire hydrants is 300. There are 524 gate valves for isolating different districts as desired. On December 31, 1916, the date of the report, there were 3,961 water services, and of these about eighteen per cent, or 789 are on meters. The meter rate runs on a sliding scale from twenty cents per 1,000 gallons to eight cents per 1,000 above 100,000 gallons. The flat rate is $1 monthly for each kitchen, with 25 cents for each bath and toilet, and $1 for each lot irrigated.
The financial exhibit is in the highest degree encouraging to believers in the municipally owned system. The earnings of the system for the year 1916 were $87,852.26.
The mileage in the sewerage system in the last report is thirty-eight miles and 4,632 feet.
The report of the city clerk for the water department assets and liabilities is as follows:
| Assets: | |
| Water system property and plant | $635,762.85 |
| Sewerage system | 210,411.91 |
| Water system sinking fund | 42,091.18 |
| ————— | |
| Total | $888,265.94 |
| Liabilities: | |
| Bonds due November, 1919 | $133,000.00 |
| Warrants outstanding | 1,257.72 |
| ————— | |
| Total | $134,257.72 |
During the past ten years street paving has been steadily continued, until at the present time there are twenty-three miles of paved streets. While some of this work was very poorly done and the city has been compelled to repair the work of incompetent or dishonest contractors at a large expense, the paving system in general has been satisfactory, and is one of the great improvements of recent years.
One of the most important of all the features of municipal life is the parks. This topic will find place in the last chapter in a special article by Miss Grace Isaacs, who has been intimately connected with the establishment of a park system from the beginning.
CITY LIBRARY
Another valuable instrumentality of municipal life, which while not political in the common use of the term is under municipal control, is the city library. The last report of the librarian, Miss Ellen Smith, will give a view of present conditions.
Walla Walla Public Library, Walla Walla, Wash.: Annual report—January, 1917.
The Board of Trustees—Dr. E. E. Shaw, president; T. C. Elliott, secretary; Rev. C. E. Tuke, Rowland Smith and H. W. Jones.
The Library Staff—Ellen Garfield Smith, librarian; Dorothy Drum, first assistant; Nell M. Thompson, assistant; Ethel Jamieson, assistant.
Library Hours—Week days, 9 A. M. to 9 P. M.; Sundays and holidays, 2 to 6 P. M.
There are 4,962 active readers enrolled, or about one-fourth of the population of Walla Walla. Of this number 1,082 adults and 498 children were added the last year, making a total of 1,580 new registrations.
The readers took home 59,580 books, periodicals and pamphlets. Fiction reading is not so important a part of the circulation as many people think, as 55 per cent of the books read were of an instructive and informing character, an increase of 3 per cent over last year. The most popular classes of books of non-fiction in order of circulation are literature, useful arts, travel and sociology.
We have added 1,305 new books at a cost of $742.64.
Gifts have numbered 253.
There were 206 volumes worn out and withdrawn and fifty-six missing at inventory so the number in the library is 12,060.
Whoever you are, you must need to ask questions sometimes. There must be some things you do not know that you want to know. Librarians are paid to find the answers to your questions. These are a few samples of the questions that we have answered during the last year:
The number of grain bags used in the United States.
The design of the Christian flag for Sunday schools.
Directions for glazing of pottery.
Statistics of water-power plants.
Where is Matzos?
What is the high jump record of a horse?
How to pickle olives?
You have more than twelve hundred reference books, and hundreds of pamphlets which we are taking care of for you, waiting for you to come and ask your question. There are 106 current periodicals and five newspapers in the reading room, the back numbers of which may be borrowed for home reading. The current numbers of Atlantic, Century, Delineator, Good Housekeeping, Harper's Monthly, Ladies' Home Journal and Literary Digest may be borrowed because the library subscribes for an extra copy.
The story hour is conducted during the winter months on Wednesday afternoons at 4 o'clock. The average attendance is twenty.
The children borrowed 18,345 books during the year.
The children's room contains more than two thousand books including the best books written for children. The greatest care has been used in the selection.
Help is given to schools in selecting books for purchase. The smaller the sum to spend, the more important the selection.
One hundred and nineteen teachers have special teachers' cards for school use, including forty county teachers. City teachers may have ten books at a time; county teachers may have five.
The Art Club, Women's Reading Club, Educational Club and Sketch Club meet regularly in the club room at the public library. In addition to this the Good Government League, debating teams and clubs of college and high school, committees of the Woman's Park Club and Young Women's Club have appreciated the use of the room.
The day of largest circulation was February 12th, when 388 books and periodicals were loaned for home reading.
Twelve hours every week day your public library is "at your service." Sunday afternoon the library is open for reading only—often every chair is taken.
Useful arts, next to literature, was the most popular class of non-fiction circulated last year. Are you one of those who has profited by the helpful books on salesmanship, bees, advertising, poultry, etc.?
When you go on your vacation next summer take ten library books with you—loaned for three months. Three hundred and ten volumes circulated on vacation cards last year.
You own more than twelve thousand volumes. The one you've been looking for, the one that will tell you something new about your business or a new way of advertising it, is among them.
Six hundred and seventy-four books were washed with ammonia and water and then shellacked.
WHAT WE HAVE DONE WITH YOUR MONEY
MAINTENANCE FUND—RECEIPTS
| Balance on hand January 1, 1916 | $ 102.97 | |
| City warrants | 4,900.00 | |
| Refunds on lights and books | 39.11 | $5,042.08 |
| ———— |
THE I. O. O. F. HOME, WALLA WALLA
MAINTENANCE FUND—DISBURSEMENTS
| Salaries | $3,038.40 | |
| Books | 665.61 | |
| Binding | 166.91 | |
| Periodicals | 228.00 | |
| Printing and stationery | 21.00 | |
| Furniture and fixtures | 175.15 | |
| Freight and drayage | 41.68 | |
| Light | 185.95 | |
| Fuel | 226.25 | |
| Repairs | 98.59 | |
| Incidentals | 37.45 | |
| Balance on hand December 31, 1916 | 157.09 | $5,042.08 |
| ———— |
LIBRARIAN'S FUND—RECEIPTS
| Balance from 1915, fine collections | $9.07 | |
| Balance from 1915, 5c pay collections | 7.80 | |
| Fines collected in 1916 | 472.73 | |
| Circulation of pay books at 5c each | 23.65 | |
| Donation from art club | 14.80 | |
| Miscellaneous sources | 3.00 | $531.05 |
| ———— |
LIBRARIAN'S FUND—DISBURSEMENTS
| Books purchased from fines | $57.88 | |||
| Books purchased from 5c pay collections | 29.15 | |||
| Periodicals | 31.12 | |||
| Book binding | 6.28 | |||
| Extra help, librarians | 141.40 | |||
| Extra janitor service | 4.75 | |||
| Supplies and incidentals | 254.70 | |||
| Balance on hand, fines | $3.47 | |||
| Balance on hand, 5c pay collections | 2.30 | 5.77 | $531.05 | |
| ——— | ——— | ———— |
There are many other features of the life of the city under political authority which would be worthy of mention, did space allow.
In one of the early chapters dealing with the founding of the city and its first incorporation, 1862, we gave the officers chosen in the first election of April 1st of that year. We now incorporate here the list of city officers from 1877 to the present. This is subdivided by the different forms of government under which the city has operated.
MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS
1877
Mayor—M. C. Moore.
Recorder—J. D. Laman.
Treasurer—H. E. Holmes.
Assessor—S. Jacobs.
Council—W. P. Winans, W. P. Adams, Wm. Kohlhauff, A. H. Reynolds and J. G. Justice.
1878
Mayor—James McAuliffe.
Justice—J. D. Laman.
Marshal—J. G. Justice.
Treasurer—H. E. Holmes.
Health Officer—J. M. Boyd.
Assessor—S. Jacobs.
Council—W. P. Winans, Wm. Kohlhauff, Z. K. Straight, M. F. Colt, F. W. Paine and J. A. Taylor.
1879
Mayor—James McAuliffe.
Marshal—J. A. McNeil.
Treasurer—H. E. Holmes.
Assessor—S. Jacobs.
Health Officer—J. M. Boyd.
Justice—J. D. Laman.
Council—A. S. Legrow, H. M. Chase, J. M. Welsh, R. Jacobs, Wm. Harkness, Wm. Kohlhauff, Geo. F. Thomas.
1880
Mayor—James McAuliffe.
Marshal—J. G. Justice.
City Attorney—J. T. Anders.
Treasurer—H. E. Holmes.
Assessor—
Council—S. Jacobs, H. M. Chase, W. T. Dovell, Wm. Kohlhauff, Geo. F. Thomas, J. M. Welsh.
1881
Mayor—James McAuliffe.
City Attorney—J. T. Anders.
Marshal—J. G. Justice.
Treasurer—H. E. Holmes.
Assessor—S. Jacobs.
Health Officer—Dr. A. N. Marion.
Council—Wm. Glasford, Ed Baumeister, A. H. Reynolds, S. Jacobs, W. T. Dovell, Levi Ankeny and Wm. Kohlhauff.
1882
Mayor—James McAuliffe.
City Attorney—W. G. Glasford.
Clerk—Le F. A. Shaw.
Treasurer—Richard Jacobs.
Health Officer—Dr. T. W. Sloan.
City Surveyor—J. B. Wilson.
City Assessor—Samuel Jacobs.
Council—W. P. Winans, T. J. Fletcher, John Dovell, N. T. Caton, A. H. Reynolds and Ed Baumeister.
1883
Mayor—T. R. Tannatt.
City Clerk—Le F. A. Shaw.
Treasurer—F. W. Paine.
Attorney—W. G. Langford.
Health Officer—Dr. A. N. Marion.
Surveyor—J. B. Wilson,
Council—W. P. Winans, Wm. Glasford, T. J. Fletcher, H. Wintler, John Dovell, N. T. Caton, A. G. Bowles.
1884
Mayor—T. R. Tannatt, resigned and F. W. Paine elected.
Marshal—T. J. Robinson.
City Clerk—Le F. A. Shaw.
Attorney—W. G. Langford.
Treasurer—O. P. Lacy.
Health Officer—Dr. W. G. Alban.
Surveyor—J. B. Wilson.
Council—H. M. Porter, W. O'Donnell, John Dovell, J. P. Kent, Thos. Quinn.
1885
Mayor—J. M. Boyd.
Marshal—T. J. Robinson.
Justice—J. D. Laman.
Treasurer—J. Chitwood.
Health Officer—Dr. W. G. Alban.
City Attorney—W. W. Newlin.
Clerk—Le F. A. Shaw.
Assessor—J. B. Wilson.
Council—J. W. Esteb, J. Picard, L. H. Bowman, H. M. Porter, W. O'Donnell, W. H. Kent and John Dovell.
1886
Mayor—J. M. Boyd.
City Clerk—Henry Kelling.
Treasurer—R. G. Parks.
Attorney—J. L. Sharpstein.
Surveyor—L. A. Wilson.
Justice—J. D. Laman.
Health Officer—Dr. H. R. Keylor.
Assessor—Wm. Harkness.
Council—Wm. Stine, John Marion, John M. Hill, W. G. Tobin, J. Picard, L. H. Bowman, J. W. Esteb.
1887
Mayor—Jas. McAuliffe.
Marshal—T. J. Robinson.
Clerk—Henry Kelling.
Attorney—J. L. Sharpstein.
Treasurer—R. G. Parks.
Justice—A. J. Gregory.
Health Officer—Dr. H. R. Keylor.
Assessor—M. H. Paxton.
Surveyor—J. B. Wilson.
Council—D. W. Small, John Picard, Geo. Dacres, John M. Hill, John Marion, W. G. Tobin and Wm. Stine.
1888
Mayor—Geo. T. Thompson.
Marshal—T. J. Robinson.
Attorney—J. L. Sharpstein.
Clerk—Henry Kelling.
Treasurer—R. G. Parks.
Justice—A. G. Gregory.
Health Officer—Dr. Y. C. Blalock.
Assessor—M. H. Paxton.
Surveyor—A. J. Anderson.
Council—W. H. Upton, John Marion, J. M. Hill, R. M. McCalley, D. W. Small, John Picard and Geo. Dacres.
1889
Mayor—Dr. N. G. Blalock.
Marshal—T. J. Robinson.
Treasurer—R. G. Parks.
Clerk—Henry Kelling.
Attorney—J. L. Sharpstein.
Health Officer—Dr. Y. C Blalock.
Justice—John A. Taylor.
Surveyor—W. G. Sayles.
Assessor—M. H. Paxton.
Council—D. W. Small, Z. K. Straight, J. L. Roberts, J. F. Brewer, John H. Stockwell, John Marion and R. M. McCalley.
CARD AND BILLIARD ROOMS. ELKS' CLUB, WALLA WALLA
1890
Mayor—N. G. Blalock.
Marshal—T. J. Robinson.
Attorney—J. L. Sharpstein.
Clerk—Henry Kelling.
Treasurer—R. G. Parks.
Justice—V. D. Lambert.
Health Officer—Dr. Y. C. Blalock.
Assessor—M. H. Paxton.
Surveyor—L. A. Wilson.
Council—J. H. Stockwell, John Picard, H. A. Reynolds, R. M. McCalley, T. J. Robinson, Z. K. Straight and D. W. Small.
1891
Mayor—J. L. Roberts.
Clerk—Henry Kelling.
Marshal—T. J. Robinson.
Treasurer—R. G. Parks.
Attorney—W. T. Dovell.
Justice—John A. Taylor.
Health Officer—Dr. Y. C. Blalock.
Assessor—M. H. Paxton.
Surveyor—Lew W. Loehr.
Council—H. S. Young, Jacob Betz, A. J. Evans, J. H. Stockwell, John Picard, H. A. Reynolds and J. L. Jones.
1892
Mayor—John L. Roberts.
Clerk—Henry Kelling.
Attorney—W. T. Dovell.
Treasurer—R. G. Parks.
Marshal—T. J. Robinson.
Justice—Timothy T. Burgess.
Health Officer—W. G. Alban.
Assessor—M. H. Paxton.
Surveyor—Lew W. Loehr.
Council—B. D. Crocker, John G. Muntinga, E. H. Massam, J. L. Jones, H. S. Young, Jacob Betz and A. J. Evans.
1893
Mayor—J. L. Roberts.
Clerk—Henry Kelling.
Attorney—W. T. Dovell.
Marshal—F. J. Robinson.
Justice—W. T. Arberry.
Health Officer—Wm. G. Alban.
Assessor—J. B. Wilson.
Surveyor—Edwin S. Clark.
Council—Daniel Stewart, Jacob Betz, Norman F. Butler. B. D. Crocker, John G. Muntinga, E. H. Massam and J. L. Jones.
1894
Mayor—John L. Roberts.
Clerk—Henry Kelling.
Attorney—Wm. T. Dovell.
Treasurer—R. G. Parks.
Marshal—Winfield S. Halley.
Justice—W. T. Arberry.
Health Officer—W. G. Alban.
Assessor—T. H. Jessup.
Surveyor—Edward Clark.
Council—Milton Evans, Marshall Martin, E. H. Massam, Stephen Ringhoffer, Daniel Stewart, Jacob Betz, and Norman F. Butler.
1895
Mayor—John L. Roberts.
City Clerk—Alexander McKay.
Attorney—R. G. Parks.
Marshal—M. Ames.
Justice—Harrison W. Eagan.
Health Officer—Wm. G. Alban.
Surveyor—E. S. Clark.
Council—A. K. Dice, Jacob Betz, John D. Lamb, Milton Evans, Marshall Martin, E. H. Massam, Daniel Stewart and V. D. Lambert.
1896
Mayor—Jacob Betz.
Clerk—John E. Williams.
Attorney—C. M. Rader.
Treasurer—John W. McGhee.
Marshal—M. Ames.
Justice—E. H. Nixon.
Health Officer—Wm. G. Alban.
Surveyor—E. S. Clark.
Council—M. Evans, J. P. Kent, E. H. Massam, John Lamb and A. K. Dice.
1897
Mayor—Jacob Betz.
Attorney—H. S. Blandford.
Treasurer—John McGee.
Marshal—J. J. Kauffman.
Health Officer—W. G. Alban.
Surveyor—E. S. Clark.
Council—continued.
1898
Mayor—Jacob Betz.
Clerk—C. N. McLean.
Attorney—H. S. Blandford.
Treasurer—J. W. McGhee.
Justice of the Peace—J. J. Huffman.
Marshal—J. J. Kauffman.
Assessor—Fred A. Colt.
Health Officer—W. G. Alban.
Surveyor—E. S. Clark.
Street Commissioner—D. A. McLeod.
Council—E. H. Nixon, Marshall Martin, J. F. Brewer, Albert Niebergall.
1899
Mayor—Jacob Betz.
Clerk—R. P. Reynolds.
Marshal—J. J. Kauffman.
Attorney—H. S. Blandford.
Treasurer—Le F. A. Shaw.
Justice of the Peace—Wm. Glasford.
Assessor—W. L. Cadman.
Street Commissioner—W. H. Brown.
Surveyor—E. S. Clark.
Health Officer—W. G. Alban.
Council—G. W. Babcock, F. M. Pauly, E. S. Isaacs.
1900
Mayor—Jacob Betz.
Marshal—J. J. Kauffman.
Clerk—R. P. Reynolds.
Treasurer—Le F. A. Shaw.
Attorney—H. S. Blandford.
Justice of the Peace—Wm. Glasford.
Assessor—W. L. Cadman.
Surveyor—E. S. Clark.
Street Commissioner—H. H. Crampton.
Health Officer—W. E. Russell.
Council—J. F. McLean, Marshall Martin, J. F. Brewer, Albert Niebergall.
1901
Mayor—G. W. Babcock.
Clerk—R. P. Reynolds.
Attorney—H. S. Blandford.
Treasurer—Le F. A. Shaw.
Marshal—J. J. Kauffman.
Street Commissioner—H. H. Crampton.
Justice of the Peace—Wm. Glasford.
Health Officer—W. G. Alban.
Surveyor—E. S. Clark.
Council—J. F. McLean, W. A. Williams, Marshall Martin, J. Z. Smith, J. F. Brewer, John Kirkman and Albert Niebergall.
1902
Mayor—Gilbert Hunt.
Clerk—R. P. Reynolds.
Attorney—H. S. Blandford.
Treasurer—Le F. A. Shaw.
Marshal—J. J. Kauffman.
Justice of the Peace—Wm. Glasford.
Street Commissioner—H. H. Crampton.
Health Officer—W. G. Alban.
Surveyor—E. S. Clark.
Council—J. F. McLean, J. Z. Smith, W. P. McKean, J. F. Brewer, John Kirkman, F. W. Martin.
1903
Mayor—Gilbert Hunt.
Treasurer—Le F. A. Shaw.
Justice—J. J. Huffman.
Marshal—Alvah Brown.
Street Commissioner—H. H. Crampton.
City Attorney—H. S. Blandford.
Surveyor—E. S. Clark.
Assessor—W. F. Merchant.
Clerk—R. P. Reynolds
Health Officer—C. P. Gammon.
Council—Henry Osterman, Wm. Glasford, J. Z. Smith, J. C. Scott, A. J. Gillis, Eugene Boyer, W. P. McKean.
1904
Mayor—Gilbert Hunt.
Treasurer—R. G. Parks.
Marshal—Alvah Brown.
Street Commissioner—H. H. Crampton.
City Attorney—H. S. Blandford.
City Surveyor—W. G. Sayles.
Assessor—R. J. Berryman.
Health Officer—J. W. Ingram.
Council—J. G. Bridges, W. P. McKean, J. B. Brewer, Fred W. Martin, Wm. Glasford.
1905
Mayor—Gilbert Hunt.
Treasurer—R. G. Parks.
Justice—J. J. Huffman.
Marshal—Alvah Brown.
Street Commissioner—H. H. Crampton.
Surveyor—J. B. Wilson.
Clerk—R. P. Reynolds.
Assessor—R. J. Berryman.
Health Officer—J. W. Ingram.
Council—Wm. Glasford, W. P. McLean, W. H. Kirkman, J. Z. Smith, Fred W. Martin, J. P. Bridges.
1906
Mayor—Geo. E. Kellough.
Treasurer—R. G. Parks.
Marshal—Alvah Brown.
Street Commissioner—H. H. Crampton.
Surveyor—J. B. Wilson.
Assessor—W. S. Cadman.
Clerk—T. D. S. Hart.
Health Officer—Dr. A. E. Braden.
Council—J. P. Kent, R. H. Johnson, Eugene Tausick, Wm. Glasford, John Bachtold, W. P. McKean.
1907
Mayor—Geo. E. Kellough.
Clerk—T. D. S. Hart.
Marshal—Mike Davis.
Treasurer—R. G. Parks.
Attorney—Oscar Cain.
Health Officer—A. E. Braden.
Street Commissioner—H. H. Crampton.
Council—J. P. Bridges, W. P. McKean, C. H. Whiteman, John Bachtold, Eugene Tausick, J. F. Stack, J. A. Dunham.
1908
Mayor—Eugene Tausick.
Clerk—T. D. S. Hart.
Treasurer—R. G. Parks.
Attorney—Oscar Cain.
Marshal—M. Davis.
Surveyor—Lew Loehr.
Street Commissioner—H. H. Crampton.
Health Officer—A. E. Braden.
Assessor—M. Toner.
Council—Fred Hull, Fritz Lehn, C. H. Cummings, Albert Niebergall, J. B. Stack, C. H. Whiteman, Alfred Bachtold.
1909
Mayor—Eugene Tausick.
Clerk—T. D. S. Hart.
Attorney—Oscar Cain.
Marshal—Michael Davis.
Street Commissioner—H. H. Crampton.
Assessor—M. Toner.
Health Officer—E. E. Shaw.
Surveyor—Lew Loehr.
Council—C. H. Whiteman, Alfred Bachtold, Fred Hull, Albert Niebergall, J. F. Stack, Fritz Lehn.
1910
Mayor—Eugene Tausick.
Clerk—T. D. S. Hart.
Attorney—J. W. Brooks.
Treasurer—Perry Lyons.
Marshal—Michael Davis.
Chief of Fire Department—Wm. Metz.
Street Commissioner—H. H. Crampton.
Assessor—A. R. Dorwin.
Surveyor—W. R. Rehorn.
Council—C. H. Whiteman, Harvey McDonald, Alfred Bachtold, J. F. Stack, Robert Breeze, C. H. Cummings, Albert Niebergall.
COMMISSION FORM OF GOVERNMENT
1911, 1912, 1913
Mayor—A. J. Gillis.
Commissioner—A. K. Dice, Geo. Struthers.
Attorney—J. F. Watson.
Clerk—C. Arthur Jones.
Engineer—W. R. Rehorn.
Fire Chief—Wm. Metz.
Health Officer—C. E. Montgomery.
Justice—T. M. McKinney.
Librarian—Ellen Garfield Smith.
Marshal and Chief of Police—Michael Davis.
Registrar Water Works—R. C. Stack.
Street Commissioner—R. A. Stockdale.
Superintendent of Schools—O. S. Jones.
Superintendent of Water Works—R. F. McLean.
Treasurer—John McGhee.
1914, 1915, 1916
Mayor—M. Toner.
Commissioners—A. K. Dice, H. H. Crampton.
Clerk—1914, 1915, M. A. Powers—1916, Fred G. Wills.
Treasurer—John McGhee.
Attorney—J. P. Neal.
Water Superintendent—R. F. McLean.
Police Judge—T. M. McKinney.
Water Registrar—E. T. Churchman.
Fire Chief—Geo. Guthridge.
Chief of Police—James Martin.
City Engineer—W. R. Rehorn.
Health Officer—C. E. Montgomery.
As the last glance at the political history of the City of Walla Walla we insert here the report of the financial condition of the City of Walla Walla June 30, 1917, as compiled by the Commissioner of Finance and Accounting, A. K. Dice:
Assessed valuation of the City of Walla Walla this year is $9,411,099, according to the report of the county assessor's office, filed this morning with the city commission. The assessment of the city this year shows an increase in valuation of approximately $100,000, last year's assessment having been $9,310,655. The report of the county assessor is as follows:
| Assessed valuation of the City of Walla Walla, 1917: | |
| Old city limits | $8,738,839 |
| First addition | 254,366 |
| Second addition | 94,460 |
| Third addition | 3,890 |
| Fourth addition | 250,260 |
| Fifth addition | 19,200 |
| Sixth addition | 46,084 |
| ————— | |
| Total | $9,411,099 |
The total includes valuation of public service corporation properties within the city limits, taken from the 1916 tax rolls.
The semi-annual report of the city clerk was also filed by Clerk Fred Wills this morning, the report showing the city's financial condition on July 1, 1917, and showing the receipts and disbursements from January 1, 1917, to June 30, 1917, inclusive. A summary of the report is as follows:
| Receipts, January 1 to June 30, 1917: | |
| Licenses | $ 3,108.00 |
| Fees, fines, etc. | 5,574.70 |
| Water department receipts | 38,985.85 |
| Cemetery department | 2,761.72 |
| Cemetery perpetual care | 4,343.69 |
| Cemetery trust | 8,421.64 |
| Interest on cemetery trust | 211.40 |
| General taxes | 110,979.81 |
| Road and bridge tax | 2,578.48 |
| Water works sinking fund | 28,228.33 |
| Interest on above | 483.69 |
| Firemen's relief and pension | 201.41 |
| Transfers | 549.19 |
| Local improvement district taxes | 85,913.76 |
| ————— | |
| Total | $292,341.67 |
| Disbursements, January 1 to June 30, 1917, by the various city departments: | |
| Administration | $ 3,272.60 |
| Streets | 18,218.73 |
| Water | 29,180.86 |
| Fire | 15,316.26 |
| Police | 6,722.74 |
| Treasury | 797.79 |
| Clerical | 836.87 |
| Bridge and creek | 1,047.20 |
| Engineering | 1,578.18 |
| Library | 2,000.00 |
| Park | 5,901.06 |
| Mounted police | 399.70 |
| Cemetery | 1,790.11 |
| Health | 3,294.82 |
| General expenses | 970.63 |
| Public buildings | 859.93 |
| Legal department | 763.70 |
| Firemen's relief and pension | 278.75 |
| Judicial | 252.00 |
| Electrical | 302.80 |
| General bond interest and redemption | 3,403.40 |
| Cemetery trust | 12,067.46 |
| Special assessments on city property | 515.05 |
| Water sinking fund | 38,491.03 |
| ————— | |
| Total | $148,311.57 |
THE DENNY BUILDING, WALLA WALLA
THE DRUMHELLER BUILDING, WALLA WALLA
The operation of the municipal warrants and the local improvement district bonds and warrants during that period was as follows:
| Municipal warrants: | ||
| Outstanding January 1 | $73,356.69 | |
| Issued | 148,311.57 | |
| ————— | ||
| Total | $221,668.26 | |
| Redeemed | 187,472.45 | |
| Outstanding June 30 | 34,195.81 | |
| ————— | ||
| Total | $221,668.26 | |
| L. I. D. bonds and warrants outstanding January 1 | 317,523.49 | |
| Issued | 48,186.80 | |
| ————— | ||
| Total | $365,710.29 | |
| Redeemed | 85,732.37 | |
| ————— | ||
| Outstanding June 30 | $279,977.92 | |
| The cash balance is given as follows: | ||
| Total cash on hand January 1 | $24,961.57 | |
| Total receipts | 292,341.67 | |
| Municipal warrants outstanding June 30 | 34,195.81 | |
| L. I. D. bonds and warrants outstanding June 30 | 279,977.92 | |
| ————— | ||
| Total | $631,476.97 | |
| Cash on hand June 30 | 34,516.31 | |
| Disbursements | 206,080.48 | |
| Municipal warrants outstanding January 1 | 73,356.69 | |
| L. I. D. bonds and warrants outstanding January 1 | 317,523.49 | |
| ————— | ||
| Total | $631,476.97 | |
ELECTIONS IN WAITSBURG
A summary of the municipal elections in the history of the second city in size in the county may properly appear at this point.
The town at the junction of the Touchet and the Coppei, first known as Delta, became Waitsburg in 1868 by vote of the inhabitants. On February 23, 1869, W. P. Bruce plotted the first townsite. On February 8, 1881, the town was incorporated. An election on February 28 resulted in the choice of G. W. Kellicut, William Fudge, Alfred Brouillet, M. J. Harkness and E. L. Powell as trustees, with the first named as chairman. Later in that year a decision by Judge Wingard invalidated the incorporation of all the cities in the territory, except Seattle and Walla Walla. By reason of this Waitsburg was reincorporated by charter from the Legislature. Under this new charter an election took place on May 1, 1882, in which the city officials chosen were these: G. W. Kellicut, mayor; William Fudge, A. L. Kinnear, P. A. Preston, D. W. Kaup and M. J. Harkness, councilmen.
The mayors of the city in order, beginning in 1883 and extending annually to 1905, were as follows: W. N. Smith, W. S. Mineer, E. L. Powell, P. A. Preston, re-elected in 1887 and 1888, C. N. Babcock in 1889, S. W. Smith in 1890 and 1891, Frank Parton in 1892, J. H. Morrow in 1893 (and during this year the important step in municipal development was taken of a city water system), J. W. Morgan in 1894 and 1895, T. L. Hollowell in 1896, D. V. Wood in 1897, E. W. McCann in 1898 and 1899, J. H. Morrow in 1900, T. M. McKinney in 1901 and 1902, E. L. Wheeler in 1903, C. W. Preston in 1904.
Beginning with 1905 and extending to 1917 the mayors and councilmen have been these:
1905—Mayor, D. V. Wood. Councilmen—E. M. Denton, W. J. Earnest, T. J. Hollowell, M. H. Keiser, Frank McCown.
1906—Mayor, J. B. Caldwell. Councilmen—E. M. Denton, H. D. Conover, W. S. Guntle, J. B. Loundagin, P. C. Perkins.
1907—Mayor, Geo. M. Lloyd. Councilmen—Dr. R. E. Butler, L. H. Macomber, H. D. Conover, J. B. Loundagin, W. F. Pool.
1908—Mayor, R. M. Breeze. Councilmen—L. H. Macomber, H. D. Conover, J. B. Loundagin, H. E. Boynton, George Kruchek.
1909—Mayor, R. M. Breeze. Councilmen—J. W. Taylor, L. H. Macomber, J. C. McAninch, H. E. Boynton, E. M. Denton.
1910—Mayor, M. O. Pickett. Councilmen—H. P. Petersen, Dr. R. E. Butler, W. J. Earnest, W. G. Shuham, Geo. M. Lloyd.
1911—Mayor, E. L. Wheeler. Councilmen—H. P. Petersen, W. G. Shuham, D. P. Hayes, R. G. Eichelberger, L. R. Perrine.
1912—Mayor, E. L. Wheeler. Councilmen—L. R. Perrine, D. P. Hayes, R. G. Eichelberger, Geo. M. Lloyd, A. G. Loundagin.
1913—Mayor, E. L. Wheeler. Councilmen—W. D. Wallace, A. J. Woodworth, Roland Allen, Forrest Carpenter, D. P. Bailey.
1914—Mayor, W. D. Wallace. Councilmen—D. P. Bailey, A. J. Woodworth, W. S. Guntle, D. B. Stimmel, J. W. Taylor.
1915—Mayor, E. L. Wheeler. Councilmen—W. D. Wallace, A. J. Woodworth, J. W. Taylor, O. B. Smith, E. J. Call.
1916—Mayor, E. L. Wheeler. Councilmen—E. J. Call, W. D. Wallace, A. C. Macomber, A. C. Spafford, A. J. Woodworth.
1917—Mayor, E. L. Wheeler. Councilmen—W. D. Wallace, E. J. Call, A. J. Woodworth, A. C. Macomber, A. C. Spafford.