The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-03-06
EXPLANATORY LETTER FROM MIR.
BAGLEY.

SEATTLE, March 5, 1891.
To THE EDITOR: The writer feels sure you
did not do him an intentional injustice in your
editorial OF this morning, wherein you Saw: IAN
attack was made in the city council by one of
the delegates at the last meeting upon the char
ac.er OF Mayor Whites appointments" The
writer made the only ''attaek'' that was made
that night and he did not cast any imputation
upon the gentlemen who were selected by the
mayor for park commissioners, library board,
health board, board of public works or
city comptroller. At least twelve of
these gentlemen are well known to the
writer and he has been proud to class
them among his personal friends, and would be
loath to believe any evil of them and the last to
cast a suspicion upon them. The matter of the
appointment of the clerk of the police court
was under discussion and objections to the pro-
posed appointee had been urged and motion
made to reject the nominee. The writer pro-
tested that It would be unjust to brand the
young man with rejection without first
giving him chance for q hearing
without first taking pains to ascertain his char
acter and qualifications. In this connection the
writer made the remark that he should look
upon any appointment the mayor might make
with suspicion-meaning, of course, for the
position under discussion. The pertinence of
this remark cannot be obscure. The writer has
taken frequent opportunity to express his dis
satisfaction with the course of the chief of
police, the police commissioners aud the mayor
In fact. he has held the mayor directly response
bic for the immunity from arrest OF the gam
blers, prizeiighters, prostitutes and kindred
law-breakers. More or less OF this element were
prominent in aiding him in securing his nomi.
nation; and on election day were his poisiest
strikers. Not afew of these men have since had
his at any and all times: have made his Office
their resort, and have made the management of
the police affairs of the city reproach to all good
MOI mn VT nf he nf,v>. M
police court is the place where the vicious eIe.
ments of the slums are tried and upon the no.
lice judge, clerk and bailiffs falls much of the
burden of maintaining law aud order The no
lice judge has already been appointed by
power higher than the mayor, but to the latter
falls the selection of the police clerk The lat.
ter position is one OF responsibility, and ii is of
more Importance that he should be honest than
competent. though as a matter of course, he
should be both. With this total disbelief in the
good intentions OF the mayor, can any SURPRISE
exist that the writer should have suspicious of
any man whom the executive should appoint TO
the place under discussion or to any other posi-
ton connected with police affairs? The mayor
had many of the best men of the city as sup
porters at the last election, and most all of the
worst men as we'll Where the interests of
the gamblers, plug-uglies, riffraR would
not be endangered he nominated good
men TO Office, but to even up matters he an.
pointed chief OF police as nearly satisfactory
as possible TO the leaders OF the First Ward Re
publican club and their compeers. 1t is said of
these men that they play square game" and
are good men OF their kind, so pardon is asked
OF them in advance should any remark made
here CRATE upon their sensibilities. Some time
ago the writer undertook TO explain to the chief
of police the writer's ideas in regard TO police
and municipal affairs, and there is reason to
believe that the chief understood the explana-
ton. The writer now hopes that the editor and
the public will understand the difference in
estimation in which are held the good and
efficient officers of the city government on the
one hand and the mayor and chief OF police on
the other. c. B. RAGLHY