The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-04-30
MORE SILLY CHARGES
Mayor Ronald Hurls a Feather
at Republicans.
BOARD OF WORKS ARRAloNEp.
A Determined Effort to Create more
vacancies-HeiIborn and Rinehart=
Gifted to Answer.

ing TO get control Of the board of public
works. r. II. Calligan, now a member of
the house of delegates, when member OF
the charter commission in 1890, and speak
ing of that department, said: Let me
have the appointing of the board of public
works and / will dictate the political con-
troll Of this city," Working upon this idea
the "kid" committee and the mayor have
worked to a common end. They have
been fortified and given backbone" as
they call it, by an army of applicants for
the positions which are expected 20 be-
come vacant. Mayor Ronald has alter
nately coaxed and half threatened both
Major Rinehart and Mr.. Hebron, the
two Republican members, with view to
getting them to resign. They both declined,
on the ground that the charter
clearly intended that the board should be
independent of political influences and for
that reason had made it a rotary office.
Major Rinehart's term expires in January
next, and that of Mr.. Heilbron a year
later. The mayor is required to appoint
one Democrat and one Republican, so
that there were not many offices to go
around, but the su 5ordinate offices are
tempting. In the water-works there are
the superintendent, book-keeper, cashier,
inspector, three engineers, stokers, and
construction and operating force; the
street department consists of the street
commissioner, time-keeper, teamsters and
laborers; the sewer department has a FORE
man and laborers; the department
of public buildings has a superintendent,
clerk, mechanics and laborers; and the
city engineers Office has, besides the city
engineer and deputy, force OF fifteen to
twenty.
The mayor and his kitchen cabinet have
had several consultations. Ronald had
scruples against maligning men with
whom he has been on terms of acquaint-
ance for several years and some OF the
committee were unwilling to incur the
odium, but the pressure on the TART of ex-
pectant office-hoiders was too great and a
decision was reached a few nights ago.
On Monday the mayor addressed letters
to Major Rinehart and Mr.. Hebron ask
ing them to resign. He volunteered the
promise that il Major Rinehart would re-
sign he would guarantee to keep Mr. Hol-
brook, the secretary, in his place until
January next.
The letter to Mr. Hebron was as fol-
lows:
SEATTLE, Wash, April 25, 1892.
George II. Heilbron, Esq, City-Dear Sir:
trust you viii pardon me Tor again bringing
this matter to your attention, but / am certain
that can govern this city aud carry on the
contemplated Improvements at much less ex-
pense IL could have the privilege of appoint
ing new members OF the board of public works.
am perfectly willing TO assume every responsi-
biiity OF the administration oil the city's affairs
and TO stand or TALL by the record we make, If |
can only choose my own agents. Without de-
string to reflect in any degree upon your good
intentions or your integrity, and in the most
friendly spirit and without any feelings except
those OF personal esteem, | most respectfully
request that you will resign and give me the
opportunity to appoint your successor as a
member OF the board of public works I am
yours very respectfully,
J. I. RONALD Mayor
To which Mr.. Heilbron made the follow
ing reply:
J. 7. Ronald, Mayor, Seattle, wash.-Dear Sir:
Your favor OF the 18th inst. came duly to hand,
and Its contents have been carefully noted
In reply to your communication beg TO say
that am unable to comply with your request
that tender TO you my resignation a member
/, OF the bosrd of public works. ! should be lack
ing in what conceive to be my duty should L
consent to be party 10 plain and palpable
violation OF the spirit OF the charter under
which this city is governed. Thanking you for
your expressions Of personal esteem, and re-
GREETING my inability to accommodate you in
the premises, beg to remain, very truly yours,
6. ii. HEiLBEoS.
Major Rinehart made only a verbal
reply, declaring that he knew of no reason
why he should resign; and If the mayor
thought he had cause for removal it was
his duty TO act.
Yesterday citations were served upon
the two Republican members of the board
Chief of Police Jackson was directed to
serve them, and this was done in the pres
ence of Junius Rochester.
The charges against George ii. Hebron
are as follows;
State OF Washington, county OF King. city of
eeattlc. So.
The mayor of the city OF Seattle to George II
Heiibron. member OF the board of public works
of the city Of Seattle
Greeting; Whereas. heretofore, towlt: On
tho iiih day OF April AID. 1892, Thomas F. Drew,
NJ. J. Cook aud q. X. Coryell, a committee of
the house of delegates OF said eity OF Seattle re-
ported to said house certain charges again st
you for misieasaneo and malfessance In Office
asa member of the board OF public works of
said city of seattle; and
Whereas said house OF delegates has referred
said report TO mo rs mayor OF the city of Seattle
20 exhibit and prefer charges against you;
Now, therefore, |, J. T. Ronald, as mayor of
the said city of Seattle. hereby exhibit and pre-.
fer against you. the SAID George H. Hebron a.
smomber of the board Of public works OF the
said city Of Seattle, the following charges OF
mIs;essaucc. malleasanoe and non ieasance in
oifioe as q member OF sad board of pu bile works
towit:--
Charge THAT George II. Hcilbron. being
member OF the board OF public works of the city
OF Seattle, King eouoty, state of Washington.
unmindtul Of his duties as member Of said
board of public works and in violation OF his
oath of ofliee and OF the charter of said city of
Seattle, to-wtt On the -- day OF - A. D.
1901, acting as a member OF said board Of public
works Of said city Of Seattle did then and there
together with the othor members of said board,
vote In favor OF insurtGg this rus ehuery. engines
and boilers at the Broadway pumping ststion
then belonging to and being the property Of
the said city II seattle. with the American In.
eurance Company Of Boston In the sum OF one
Thousand si,SN dollars. That afterwards 10.
wit: on the 18th day II May, A p. 1891. agree
abe 20 said vote Of said hoard Of public works,
the said American Insurance Company of Bos-
ton entered into It's certain contract in writing
with the city 81 saatt,e. commonly known
90 policy Of Insurance. whereby tho
ssi American Insurance Company Of
Boston, ter aud in consideration OF the
sam of twcnty-seven dollars aud bfty
cents tsgT sol 10 Il in hsni paid insured against
loss BY Ere the ssid machinery, engines and
boilers al the Broadway pumping E;s;iou IN the
city Of Seattle in the SUM 81 one thousand
si.o1el dollars, for tbs period beginning with
May ~, A. D. Is9i, and ending May -. A. o.
1892, which policy OF insuraRes Is numbered
2,9I5S Thst st the time OF said vote and the
Issuance OF said policy of Insurance the ageucy
al SAID company in the city OF Seattle, through
which sSid insurance wSs perfected vas the
Washington Territory Investment Company, =
corporation duty created, organised aud exist