The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-12-11

Thoughts on Murder Which Lead to .
Discussion OF the Duties OF . Mayor.

Thoughts Murder W nlcn LeaO 10 y
Discussion of the Duties OF Mayor.
The persistent refusal OF the British ministry
TO interfere In behalf OF Mrs. Maybrick. notwith-
standing the fact that she Is now dying in jail.
and that grea. portion OF tie British and
American press, as well as many prominent
public men OF both countries, have pleaded
again and again in her behalf, opens very in-
teres,ing field of thought-interesting at least.
to US in this country.
1t has well been said that eternal vigilance is
the price OF liberty: it is certainly true that
strict discipline is the price OF good order Is IL
not just likely that absolute ssrietness win
criminals is necessary to protect society against
the frequent murders as we have them occur IN
our midst? OF the Maybrick case IN Itself DO
not care to say much. There are as many peo-
pie that claim that Mrs. aybriek has poisoned
her husband as There are that claim that shs
had not. But she had legal trial, and jury
convicted her, and while, in isolated cases. ex-
treme strictness works an injury las perhaps IL
does in the cases of Mrs. Maybrick). this much
is certain, that the number OF murders. In pro-
portion to the population, is much smaller IN
England than in this country.
II is not popular to praise things English IN
this country. Yet at the risk OF being unpopu-
lar, venture the assertion that in no otnes
civilized country would people calmly witness
and tolerate so miserable spectacle as the one
presented to US last week by the notorious re
Some time las. summer one Murphy entered
saloon in the heart of the city, in broad day
light, and in cold blood, without the least pro-
vocation, shot and killed the bartender The
police arrested the murderer, who, by the way,
did no; deny ths bloody deed.
Public indignation ran high. 1t was muir
der pure and simple, and swift punishment was
demanded. The prisoner knowing the hope
lessuess OF his case. beshought himself of most
excellent idea. He poisoned the watch dog so
that be might burglarze the house uncisturoed.
He engaged the mayor of the city to defend him,
and truth compels US to record the fact that he
has not only succeeded in saving Murphy's
neck, but is now in fair way OF setting his
client at liberty SO that he may continue to
kill to his hearts content.
Certainly am not unmindfui Of the fact that
the law allows criminal. no matter how helm
Gus his crime, the aid OF counsel, and that it is
the duty of an attorney to defend criminals TO
the best OF his ability. but am not speaking of
Lawyer Ronald. I am speaking of Mayor Ronald
Much theorising and specializing may be done
ON this case. 1t may we'll be questioned whether
man who il getting $3.o00a year tosuperintend
the protection OF life and property in q city has
the right to defend a man who has committed
murder in the very heart of that city. A great
deal of credulity may also be given to the pre-
vaiing impression that Murphy. having done
considerable work in aiding in the election of
aid to defend his political booster. It may
further be seriously questioned whether the po-
lice department, whose duty 1: was to strain
every nerve in aiding the prosecuting attorney
in convieting the murderer did its duty. Re-
Numbering that the department knew that its
actual chief was highly interested in having
Murphy acquitted, I can not bring myself to the
belief that the police did its full duty in the
case. 1t may also not be out of place to utilize
this occasion and give piece of gretuitous adj
vice: Henceforth all of those who have for i'm
agine they have) a claim for damages against
the city will do well to engage the very success
full attorney. the city's mayor.
have heard some Democratswho have the
temerity TO defend Ronslds actions, say: "The
city is not paying Ronald for his entire time,
and as long as his time is his own he may en-
gage In whatever legal occupation he likes"
This is a mistake. / know that Mr.. Ronald
claims to be permitted TO practice law while
mayor, but tina: certainly was not the intent of
orr charter trainers I remember distinctly
when the question of the mayors salary came
up before the charter commission all agreed to
pay the mayor liberal salary so that the exc
cutive head of the city would devote his entire
time to the business Of the city. Well, Ronald
is doing It, He is diligently engaged in defend
ing the murderers of the city.
At last Tuesdays meeting Of the city council
q half-column communication from his honor,
the mayor, was read, wherein he eircuitously
informs the council that he suspects 'skin
games to be in operation in some house and
he requests the council to make due investiga-
ton into the matter It strikes me forcibly that
instead of the mayor making a holy show OF
himself and writing lengthy communications.
whose chief purport it is to work up a certain
kind of political capital for Mr. Ronald, the
mayor would do we'll to try and earn his salary.
Let him do the investigating himself Let him,
with the aid of the detectives end police force.
ascertain the exact nature Of tho. evil, and let
him devise some remedy for it and then go to
the council and say, az. the chief executive of
this city, have ascertained that such and such
an evil exists. and in my Judgment such and
such remedy is needed TO remove the evil. /,
therefore. recommend that you pass an ordi-
nance that will enable me to conduct the bust
ness and order of the city in proper shape"
That would certainly be much more business.
like than referring it to the council for investi-
CATION and then have the council refer IL to a
committee and then the committee drop the
matter and have 1t remain where ii started from.
! am. however, in a charitable mood just now
and take it for granted that an investigation is
about TO commence, and, for fear that there may
not be enough work for the committee to DO in
vestigatiag ono case, / respectfully direct the
committees attention to several more cases that
are sadly in need OF investigation.
For instance, the poker room down in Beede's
cafe tnow the Tivoli would stand investiga-
ton. There. gentlemen, you will find an alarm
ing number of young men, many much under
age. playing poker with professional gamblers,
smoking cigarettes at q terrible rate of speed,
the air, both moral and physical. foul unto sui.
location. a large number of non playing young
men lying about in idleness day after day, and
many other points that are sadly in need of
ventilation.
The crap game at the Peoples theater will
surely afford you both amusement and plenty
OF investigating labor. Come. come, gentlemen
OF the council, there is much that needs invssti.
CATION OF which tho mayor has not apprsed
you Try If you cannot give us reform" ad-
ministration, as you promised.you would.
RosH LooKRsH.
MIGNON.