The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-04-02
A WAR IN THE CAMP.
The Mayor and His Party Lead
ers Are Now at Odds.
THE wHEEL-HoRsEs IGNORED.
Many Are Asking How Fred =. Sander
Secured Control Of 81 Much
Patronage.

Ano Deuhocrdtlc contest over the Qletr1-
oution Of the city Offices has apparently
developed into free-for-all fight. The
iaitniul have gone hungry so long that not
q man ofthem is able unmoved to see the
ioaves and fishes go to another.
The citizens of Seattle will remember that
before the Democratic city convention
had nominated J. T. Ronald for mayor, his
ancient rival in the party-John Collins
made desperate but Intellectual attempt
to capture the primaries and thwars the
ambition of Mr.. Ronald, a. 1t had been
thwarted once before.
Failing at the primaries, Mr.. Collins.
who doesn't give up, made q new plan. He
endeavored to work up sentiment in favor
OF Fred E. Sander and stampede the con-
vention for him when the time came for
the mayoralty nomination. This scheme
was SO far successful that on the night be-
fore the convention men could be found
willing to bet that Mr.. Sander would be
nominated
But when the morning came Mr.. Sand
er's name was not even mentioned, and
Mr.. Ronald had everything his own way.
This harmony, though very beautiful on
the outside, was not effected without a
good deal Of negotiation. which resulted
in compromise. Mr.. Sander did not
withdraw from pure love OF Withdrawing,
for backing down is not his favorite amuse-
ment. And the event has shown that in
politics a. in business he is fully able to
take care of himself. and likewise of any
friends who may stand in need of watch
full assistance.
Mr.. Ronald was nominated, and the
campaign was put in the hands of
special committee. of which Percy w.
Rochester was chairman. The members
of this committee worked night and day,
and majority of nearly 1880 for Mr..
Ronald gave color to the claim that the
work was we'll done.
Mr.. Rochester and his associates natur-
ally felt that they were entitled to some of
the fruits of victory, but they soon found
that their recommendations for appli-
cants tor the various city offices
amounted to very little. Mr.. Roaald
talked of "my campaign" "my election"
and my administration" 1t so hap
pened that on March 8. net only Mr..
Ronald, but over twenty other Democrats
were chosen 10 Office, and they thought
that they, too, should have something to
say about the disposition of patronage.
Mr.. Ronald seemed to think otherwise.
He called them together several times,
but there was not much consultation, for
he merely told them what he wanted
DONE and insisted that at his word of COM
mand everybody should fall in line and
drill.
As might be expected, there was not
little grumbling, but no open break came
until the new officers went in, and the
work Of making appointments began.
Romayne E. Fitzgerald, Jack Dalton and
several Others who had poured out their
blood on the political battlefield, wanted
to be deputy clerk, and each had support
from members of the committee and of
the city council. But suddenly some one
touched the button. F. D. Ogden, friend
of Fred E. Sander, but almost unknown
in local politics, came on the scene. and
without delay secured the coveted prize.
A fight even hotter was being made for
the place Of chief of police. James w.
Mcleod, James NJ. Quilter. Charles Esplln,
IT,, H. G. Thornton and two or three more
who had agonized at Democratic ward
meetings. were securing recommendations
from committeeman, councilmen and
other worthless. But one fine morning
Andrew Jackson, who had built street
railroads for Fred E. Sander, walked into
the race and found it walk-over.
NJ. W. Willis, DR.. C. A. Gay, James
Neatly, and others too numerous to men,
ton, were casting longing eyes toward the
police commission. But Mayor Ronald
showed them all aside and nominated E.
+. Whittier, partner of Fred E. Sander in
the Union Trunk line.
This move on the part of the mayor was
the last straw. The disappointed candi-
dates, the city central committeeman and
the campaign committeeman all have
their blood up. For several days they
have been asking whether they or Fred E.
Sander ran the cam paign, and whether J. T.
Ronald or Fred E. Sander is mayor. The
strong opposition to the confirmation of
Z. F. Whittier is due to a general desire to
check the mayor and show him that he is
not absolute. The talk that Mr.. Whittier
is corporation man is mostly pretext.
The appointments have cause so much
dissatisfaction that even Mr.. Ronald has
paused to consider. Yesterday he called
the committee together for the first time
since the election and held conference.
An effort is being made to reach an agree
ment by which Mr.. Whittier will be con-
firmed. To this end w. s. Relic. Mr..
Writers friend, will not be appointed
park commissioner, but B. E. Bennett,
the lawyer, may come in for the place.
Tonight the Democratic committee
meets again. The only member who is a
candidate for anything is L. D. Ross. He
is out for comptroller, but the mayor
favors J. NJ. Carson. If the committee is
snubbed, however. something will drop.
Mayor Ronald has declared himself as
preterring Neil Adair for license collector;
but Jack Dalton has warm friends in both
the police board and the city council.
Under the circumstances Dalton will not
withdraw at present.
Thu 0Mce NJ Counnfrnllar