The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-05-01
RONALD MAY RESIGN.
Current Rumor That He Will
Return to Law Practice.
SWEENEY NOW OUT OF THE WAY.
Complex Interests 1t Work-Men Whose
Prsssnt Fortunes Depend Upon the
Action Of the Mayor.

past few days that Mayor Ronald intends
to resign his office on his return. It il not
possible to trace this report to any
authoritative source, bnt it is
speculated upon with various theories
by both his friends and his oppo-
nents in the Democratic party. All
that Mr.. Ronald has ever said on the SUBJ
ject is now revived. Last October Mr..
Ronald expressed the dissemination to re-
sign. for tho reason that his practice was
suffering through neglect, and he was an
noyed by the pulling and hauling of small
factions. Mr.. Ronald suddenly became
silent on the subject, and bore without
word the jibes at his seeming vacillation.
It is said now that Mr.. Ronald only
yielded to the strongest pressure on the
part of his friends. 1t was pointed out
to him that his resignation meant the ele-
walton of DR.. ]. P. Sweeney to the mayo
rally, and that would mean q triumph
for John Collins, to whose fortunes DR..
Sweeney had always been loyal. The contest
for supremacy is now renewed over the
disposal of Federal patronage, and when
Mr.. Ronald returns he will be at once
plunged into . vortex of contending
forces. Another problem awaiting him is
the solution of the gambling question. 1t
Is no secret that purse was made
up by the gamblers and turned over to the
Democratic central committee, With what
understanding is not likely to be divulged.
Mayor Ronald said once in the presence Of
a committee of the Chamber of Commerce
that he could make probably $780,
600 year if he were 80 dis
posed; and DR.. Sweeney testifes to tho
temptation of $500 a month dropped in
the waste basket" If any promise was
made or inducement held out it is not
likely that it can DO kept . secret much
longer. As the term wanes the evidence
will be conclusive that the compact can.
not be kept. Mr.. Ronald himself may pos
sibly have known nothing Of it at the
time, but it is no secret to him now that
some sort of an understanding was had.
Besides these troubles, Mr.. Ronald has
a large number Of important cases await
ing his return. and these will de-
mand his attention. Now that DIR.
Sweeney is unlikely to succeed HIM in his
mayoralty, he Is absolved from the condi-
tons existing when he withdrew from his
expressed determination.
Leander Miller would be apparently his
successor, although that does not follow.
A new election must be had. and there
10 more than one man who has
the very laudable ambition to be
mayor of Seattle. Mr.. Miller has the
confidence Of oil who know him, but in
the completely of interests the word has
been passed around that honors must be
divided, and it would be no reflection
upon him if another should DO elected, 20
as to have q turn.
Minor offices depend upon this question.
The kid committee is asserting itself
again in official circles, and the latest in
dication as to which way the wind blows
is shown by . straw. 1t was letter to the
board Of public works from Engineer
Talcott commencing Edwin Hall Warner.
That gentleman was believed to be can
didate for surveyor general. but he does
that what tempts him yet moro
In January next, and that Is not
so far off to the politician who plants
his seed early in the spring, if Mr..
Ronald is mayor. the successor of ]. w.
Van Brocklin will be U. r. Niesz.
If Ronald is not mayor, the field is open.
Jesse Cochran is between two fires which
are banked now. but will blaze out at the
first opportunity. J. T. Ronald is the
stoker of one, Lee Hart Of the
other. These things happen in
public life. If Ronald resigns,
Jesse Cochran would be free to follow the
policy of the party organization. between
which and the mayor there is very little
community of interest.
Unless all the signs fail, DR.. J. P.
Sweeney and :. NJ. Carson will be candi-
dates for mayor next term. CarsOn's
knowledge of city matters is regarded as
making him the best business man for the
office, and DR.. Sweeney's friends say he
is the logical candidate. At one time
i. was thought DR.. ]. S. KIoeber would be
a formidable candidate, but he is positively
not in the field. He declares that he is anx-
ious only to assist in making such amend.
ments to the charter as his experience in
municipal affairs suggests. He is not a
hide-bound party man in city politics.
II. +. Shields has been talked of, but he
has done nothing himself to warrant the
use of his name. In the board of aldermen
Brewer was mentioned, but his friends
expect he will be the next register of the
land office, although Judge Mcdonald is
running close race. Daulton was also
talked of, and it is not always
the quietest who gets left. Al
derman earle. who is practical
engineer, has been mentioned for the board
OF pu bic works If Jesse Cochran runs for
sheriff. These are not the only men who
have been led to aspire to higher
dignities, but they have not been so pro-
nounced. and depend less upon the matter
of immediate consideration-wheth or
not Mayor Ronald will resign.
The movement which led to DR.. Swee-
ney's resignation had its origin in party
pressure. 1t has had good effect in
bringing many matters to a more settled
condition, but it has had bad effect
speaking only in party sense - in
stirring up sedition among the disa ffected.
The temptation to make removals and
change things around has had
disturbing influence and has melted
those who hold no Office to
endeavor to make vacancies which.
under ordinary circumstances, could not
be expected during the life of an admins
tration, when once the appointments and
the disappointments were made.
The Dryest Climate in the World
Coronado possesses the finest and most
/ Il, II.