The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-03-21
SEATTLE. MONDAY. MARCH s1.
THE NEW CITY GOVERNMENT.

Mr. J. T. Ronald will today assume the
duties of mayor of Seattle. With him
will come into Office those who were his
fellow candidates on the Democratic
ticket The change will bring the legisa-
tive branch of the city government entirely,
and the executive branch very largely, I'M
der Democratic control.
The citizens of Seattle who opposed Mr..
Ronald's election will view the change
without alarm. They are satisfied of his
loyalty to the interests of the city, and
believe that he will faithfully endeav-
or to give an administration which
will merit popular approval. The
dangers which threaten his administra-
ton arise from the defects of his own
party. His greatest task will be to keep
his supporters in check, and, if he sue
ceeds in doing this, his career as head of
the municipal government may be brill
liant success. He certainly enters upon
his duties under the most encouraging
circumstances. He has behind him large
majority of the voters. He has almost
the entire city government absolutely
under the control of his political friends.
He finds the city in excellent
financial condition, with the most
expensive Improvements completed and
with the entire municipal machinery NOV
ing smoothly and satisfactorily. Above
all, he may rest assured that he will meet
with no carping criticism, no fault-fnd-
ing for the sake of fault-fnding, no efforts
TO thwart him in anything that he may do
for the benefit or for the honor OF Seattle.
1t makes small difference who reaps the
credit for good deeds so long as they re-
dound to the glory of our city.
This does not mean that Mr.. Ronald and
his party will not be held to strict
accountability. On the contrary, their
mistakes will be pointed out and their
faults will be criticised. They will be ex-
pected to make good the promises which
they have made. They have charged cor
ruption upon the present city govern
ment; they will be expected to point the
corruption out and to punish those who
have benefited byit. They have charged
extravaganza; they will be expected to
retrench or to admit that they were in
error. They have declared that officials
were too numerous and salaries too large;
they will be expected to reduce the num-
Der of officials and to make the salaries
less They will be expected to give an
administration economical, careful and
absolutely clean, without favoritism, with
out any seeking after party advantage,
with view only to the best interests of
the city. Any falling below the high
standard which they have them
selves set up will meet with
criticism. and against such criticism they
cannot justly complain. They will, how
ever, be treated by the Republican press
and by Republican voters with fairness.
No baseless charges will be made against
them and no man will be assaulted and ac-
cused of dishonor simply because he is q
Democrat or because he is identified with
Democratic city government.
The Posr-lNrELIIeENcER feels that it
voices the sentiments of all Seattle Re-
puhlicans when it wishes success for Mayor
Ronald's administration and pros perity
for the city over whose government he is
to preside