The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-07-14
ToDAY's ELECTION.

The voters of Seattle are today called
upon to choose between two sets of candi-
dates for the several more important city
offices. We have for tie first time in the
history of the city government contest
based upon party lines. It's to be regretted
that this is the fact, but that it is a fact is
due to the policy OF the Democratic leaders
who took the initiative and forced the
issue. Their hope was and is TO carry this
city for their party candidates by hook or
by crook and to use the victory as the be-
ginning of fight to capture the whole
state and put it in the Democratic column
in company with the solid South and the
free-trade Democratic states of the North.
Accepting the issue which was forced
upon them the republicans have named a
full city ticket. They have selected for
the several offices men of business charec-
ter and standing, not mere ornamental
fgureheads, but men familiar with the af-
fairs of the city and capable of taking hold
OF them at once and meeting promptly the
urgent necessities of the time. The men
named for the more important positions
are closely and accurately familiar with the
work to be done, and may be relied upon
to serve the city with energy and fidelity.
For MAYOR, a man has been chosen from the
present city council, where during
the past year, he has been distinguished by
being on the right side of every important
question. He has particularly distin-
guished himself by his advocacy, in sea.
son and out of season, of measures designed
to increase our water supply and to
afford adequate protection against the dam
gers of fire. Ii he shall be elected it will.
If the influence of the mayor can
accomplish it, put an end to the DELAYS
which have hindered the proper and neces-
sary development of our water system. 1t
will. furthermore, infuse spirit of energy
and impose strict methods of business upon
the general affairs OF the city.
The Democrats have named a ticket in
very marked contrast. 1t is not the pur-
pose of this journal to engage in "mud
throwing" but this much may be said
without oifense, namely, that the Demo-
cratic ticket affords no assurances superior
to that of the Republican ticket,
while, on the other hand, it pre-
sents many points OF inferiority.
The candidate for mayor is not familiar
with the details of city affairs and could
not in half year acquire such informa-
ton as would enable him, even should
he be inclined TO do so, TO proceed with
energy and positive intelligence with the
conduct of city business. There would be
no assurance in the election of Mr.. Collins TO
the mayoralty OF any positive policy in any
direction. Nobody knows what his policy
would be respecting the water question or
any other OF the several important ques-
tons now before the city. His election
would at most be an experiment, and there
would Of necessity be dead halt in city
business until he could acquaint himself
with It's details and with the necessities o.
the situation.
There can be no question as to the right
| or the wrong of this matter. 1t is right e
vote the Republican ticket because it viii
insure an energetic and capable city GOV
ment and because it will rebuke the politica
managers who have intruded partisanshir
into affairs where partisanship has No
| proper part. II will be wrong TO vote tho
Democratic ticket because it may involv,
the election OF set of officers unfamiliar
with the work to be performed, who's.
names afford no assurances concernins
| public policy, and who in their candidacy
| represent an arrogant attempt to intrud,
partisanship in its worst phases into oul
city government