The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-09-26
RONALD WILL STAY.
Political Reasons Against His
Resigning.
INTERVIEW WITH A DEMOCRAT.
A Vacancy in the once OF Mayor Before
November Would Precipitate .
Fractional Contest.

The probability OF Mayor Ronald resign
ing has set the politicians in the Demo-
cratic camp all agog; but since the first
hasty expression, Mr.. Ronald has declined
to be interviewed on the subject. It is not
the first time he has declared his intention
to resign, and it is not much of secret
that the antagonism he meets with
comes not so much from his political
enemies as from his political friends.
Should he resign, his successor would be
elected by the city council in joint con-
vention. In case of absence or ipcapacity,
the duties of the mayor devolve upon the
president of the board of aldermen, and,
next. the president of the house of dele
gates. But in the event of a vacancy in
the Office, the mayor. although elected by
the council, need not be member Of that
body.
A successor to Mr.. Ronald has. already
been talked of There are eighteen men,
bers of the council, and some of these
would vote against accepting Mr.. Ronald's
resignation on the ground that it would
be an unwise step to take. If it should be
accepted. then several names would come
up prominently. By virtue of the right
Of succession DR.. Sweeney, president
Of the board of aldermen, would
have claims for promotion, but he
would have the rivalry of the
other house to contend with, where DR..
Kloeber has strong following. Antagon-
ism between those two would provoke an
animated contest. Both are doctors; both
are active and energetic; vet each has his
special qualifications and, on the other
hand, no man in their position can fail to
make some enemies. Both r. H. CALI
gan and Thomas f. Drew, members of the
house of delegates, have been talked of
and the names Of several others have been
canvassed.
Then, outside the council. Fred E. San
der and d. H. Gilman have again been
talked of, but if the Office absorbs so much
time it is not easy to see how they could
leave their many enterprises to devote
themselves to city business. George Dom
worth has been mentioned, but it
is exceedingly improbable that he
would accept. His present salary is
as large as that of the mayor and his posi-
ton is in the line of professional prefer
ment. 1t is conceded, even by Republic
ans, that Mr.. Donworth is one of the
most efficient officials the city ever had,
and his removal to another Office would,
in the present condition of city litigation
and legislation, be misfortune.
'For political reasons" said q prominent
Democrat yesterday" consider it would
be mistake for Mr. Ronald to resign, at
least until after the election, and my judy
r.ent now is that he will not resign un-
til that time. It would bring to
the surface and force upon the
campaign serious and dangerous
schism in party politics. The Democrats
of King county are in an awkward plight
already. Those who care nothing for
Office are in favor of the canal and will
vote for every man on the Republican
ticket whose election will signify endorse
ment by King county of the canal.
The office-seekers, who fear their party
record being attacked in the future, will
vote the straight Democratic ticket-keep
quiet about it now and brag of it after the
canal has been secured and is no longer an
issue. These men would vote the Demo-
cratic ticket under any circumstances.
"But so long as local politics can be kept
out of the campaign. the majority OF nom
factional Democrats will vote for the DEM
ocratic electors, and so help Cleveland's
election, but vote the entire state and
county Republican ticket. There are hun
dreds of Democrats who have been in King
county for years, aud the old spirit is in
them. They have often clasped hands
with Republicans before when the inter-
ests of King county and Seattle were in
question, and they will be content this
year to vote merely for Cleveland-al-
though the free traders are not strong in
this part of the Union where the benefits
of protection are most generally and dis
fiucfivelv apureciated ~
"How would Ronald's resignation at
feet them, if that is the case2"
at would revive strictly local animosi-
ties. and, as is always the case, questions
of principle would be lost in the contests
of men. Known adherents of one faction
or the other would become marked men,
and they could call upon their friends to
vote for them III order to strengthen the
the faction to which they belonged.
present indications are that the Demo-
Gratis will vote for the Republican candi-
dates for the legislature. because the cleo
ton of q majority of Democrats would
result in the defeat of Allen--in itself a
condemnation of Allen and the canal and
in the election of Democratic senator.
which would kill all hope for years of the
canal being built by government aid
but you need have no apprehensions
on that score; Mr.. Ronald will not resign
until after election"