The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-09-29
In POOH-BAH'S COURT.
Hearing of Charges Against
Health Board Begun.
THE MAYORS MANY FUNCTIONS.
He II Judge, Jury, Complainant and
Prosecutor-Judge Jacobs Offer OF
Arbitration Rejected.

Mayor Ronald began the hearing OF the
charges against the board of health yesterday
afternoon, and evidently intends, as In the case
OF the board of public works. to be judge. jury,
complaining witness and prosecuting attorney.
The mayor came into his Office at the hour
set. as 1t was here the hearing was called, but
after few exchange, of courtesies the COM
pany adjourned TO the hall of the house Of dele
gates. Here the business was at once proceeded
10, the mayor in the chair. Judge Orange
Jacobs appeared for the board of health aud
Corporation Counsel Donworth for the city.
Judge Jacobs began by saying that he desired
to know ii the city would object to paying one
half the expenses OF q stenographic reporter.
Mr.. Donworth replied that il would not. and
Chief OF Police Jackson went in search of one.
Judge Jacobs then addressed the Mayor, call
Ing his attention to the fact that this case was
one which might properly Be entitled "The
Mayor OF Seattle VS.. the Board Of Health. J. T.
Ronald being complaining witness, prosecutor
and judge. He continued:
Now, your honor, in order to relieve you of
such an embarrassing position, We will waive
ali rights We may have before this tribunal and
VIII make four alternative propositions. Fnst,
We Will submit the case in issue to a body OF
three physicians. the corporation counsel to
choose one, the board of health one, and these
two to choose third; second, we will submit
this case to three lawyers similarly chosen;
third, we Will submit the case to three disinter-
ested persons belonging to neither OF the above
named professions, to be chosen as stipulated
above; or fourth, we will submit the case to
any one OF the superior judges sitting In Sc
attic, the selection to be made BY the corpora
ton counsel.
Corporation Counsel Donworth-This sounds
fair, Mr. Jacobs, and would be SO in fact were
this private case. But ii is not Furthermore,
the charter dcvo'ves the duty of hearing this
The Mayor-Tnis proposition does sound fair
and will undoubtedly have good political effect.
Mr.. Jacobs. Bat the mayor will not surrender Q
f~ht AIA0R n
counsel forgets that the deeision by the mayor
may be appealed to the superior court.
Judge Jacobs-IOur honor may do this ii you
choose, may DC accuser and judge in the same
case. II was to relieve you OF tina. position that
these propositions were made. But the
corporation is represented here by able,
upon him for a statement of the
clause in the city charter which devoives this
duty upon the mayor. Your honor can legally
remove these gentlemen without a trial. and
they can appeal to the superior court But 1
ask you whether it is fair to conduct this trial
in this way. find facts to suit your charges, and
then send these gentlemen to the superior court
handicapped with such u record OF findings AS
that? We have made our propositions in order
to relieve you OF what your honor knows as a
lawyer is unfair. l promise further that we
will abide by the decision of the arbitrator.
The mayor-The board of arbitrator you pro-
pose, Mr.. Jacobs, is a body utterly unknown to
the law. Even il the mayor and corporation
counsel consented, such consent could not con.
fer jurisdiction on an ILLEGAL body.
Judge Jaeobs-I desire to ask continuation
| OF this case. The citation to appear here was
issued on the Goth. This was two davs ago. 1t
| did not come into my hands till the night of the
26th had one whole day and parts of two
Others in which to examine and prepare this
case. Your honor knows that in the most
trivial cases in the courts twenty days time is
permitted before appearance. Does not your
| honor think~we are entitled to more time in a
| case which. like this involves the professional
honor, honesty and personal standing of my
clients?
Mr.. Donwortb replied that the request for
| time was absolutely right but that he would op-
| pose delay of over a week. After little delay
| the hearing was adjourned until Monday next
| at 10 a. m