100 years ago in Spokane: Mayor steps down; Wobblies mum on New Year’s resolutions

The Spokesman-Review wrote an editorial tribute to Charles M. Fassett, who stepped down as mayor as of the beginning of the year.

It ended “a period of continuous service at the city hall that began with the institution of the commission form of government in 1911.” Since that date, Fassett “devoted his efforts chiefly to the development of the city water department,” and as a result, “the water service has more than kept pace with the growth of Spokane” and made it a model for other cities.

“Progressiveness and the modern idea in city government have been characteristic of all of Fassett’s official work,” said the editorial. “He has been a student of municipal management, has kept constantly in touch with new tendencies and improved forms … He is the direct opposite of the old type of municipal politician.”

He never resorted to what the paper called “dodges for getting votes.”

Fassett had served two stints as Spokane mayor, the first from 1914 to 1916, and the second beginning in 1918.

From the Wobbly beat: The Spokesman-Review went to the city jail to ask prisoners about their New Year’s resolutions, but didn’t get much response from the 18 Wobblies being held there.

They elected a committee of three to talk on behalf of the prisoners, and a spokesman for the three said, “We have nothing to say to reporters, as you never say what we tell you, but just what you want to say for yourselves.”

He did say, however, that jail is a “poor place” to make a New Year’s resolution.