The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-09-22
DURIE IS ELECTED.
CITY Council Chooses a Successor
to Adolph krug.
THE COLLINS FACTION oowNEp.
Lively Contest Over the once of City
Treasurer-A Candidate for Post
master Sfdefracked.


city treasurer by the city council in Joint
convention 10 succeed Adolph krug. He
was chosen on the third baliot. but par
liamentary objection seemed likely TO cast
q doubt on the proceedings, and Corpora
ton Counsel DonxoEth earnestly pleaded
that the title 10 the Office be made unas-
ssilable by ratifying vote large enough
to place the majority beyond all question.
A fourth ballot was accordingly taken and
the election ratified by majority Of twelve
in house Of sixteen.
Several caucuses and conferences were
held during the day and at one time it
seemed probable that Josiah Collins, jr..
would get nine votes. He, however. de-
ciIned, and the choice was again scattered.
Fl. Z. Shields would have been selected
but for the fear that his membership of
the house of delegates and of the
finance committee would call out public
criticism. The same objection applied TO
W. s. Brace. A strong effort was made
for John Schram until somebody sprang
the story that he had voted for McGraw
for governor in preference TO Snively, as
70 whose moral fitness for so high an
office he had publicly expressed an en-
pha:ic doubt. That story settled his pros
poets. The same test was not applied to
ID. f. Durie. but it was felt that if he
could be put into the Office of treasurer
until March j. would sidetrack him from
the road to the postoffice. The postmas-
tership lasts four years and that office is
being sought for a less independent
Democrat Thomas B. Hardin was the
candidate OF Collins friends.
Mr.. Duria was born at Montrose. Scot
land, but has been citizen of the United
States for many years. He was delegate
TO the constitutional convention. and was
a member of the city council during the
mayoralty of Robert Moran.
The chamber Of the house of delegates
was denseiy crowded with well-known
Democrats when President Miller. after
caucus and a recess, called sixteen men,
bers to order, Alderman Brewer and Dele
gate Brace being absent. The election of
n city treasurer was declared the order of
business.
Delegate Drew moved that an informal
ballot be taken.
Mayor Ronald asked permission to say
that +. D. Graves was not candidate.
He accepted the Office temporarily at the
mayors request, but at a very early day
intimated that he had wished to be re-
lieved. He had only continued in the
Office at urgent requests. The mayor de-
sired to thank him publicly and warmly
for his services.
DR.. kloeber thought the council, as a
body. ought to thank Mr.. Graves for his
readiness to come to their aid. He had
rendered valuable services which no pc
cuniary return could adequately recognize.
He had answered call of duty at a try
ing moment. On motion of DR.. Jordan
the thanks OF the council were extended
to Mr.. Graves.
The chair then appointed Aldermen
Carrie and Cram as tellers.
Replying to Dr. Kioeber. Mr.. Donworth
said any vote of the convention, even if
informal, on the subject of electing
treasurer. would be binding if it was cast
in seriousness.
DIR. Kloeber thought it would be very
inadvisable to risk an informal ballot.
Mr.. Donworth said that the election be-
ing of such great importance it should be
very cautiously done. If an informal bal
lot were taken it might lead to complica-
tons. Where there were two courses. one
of which might lead to trouble and the
other would be without any danger. the
wise plan would be to avoid that which
had any danger of trouble.
The vote was then reconsidered, and DR..
Jordan moved that the convention pro-
coed TO elect treasurer; but
DR.. Kioeber asked whether
majority of all votes cast or a majority of
all the members was necessary. to which
Mr.. Donworth replied that there was
nothing in the charter specifically reauir-
ing a majority of all members. He read
the provisions governing the subject and
concluded that majority of the conven-
ton assembled was sufficient to elect.
The result of the first ballot was as fol-
inmg-