The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-02-27
| POLITICAL PLOT.
Democratic Politicians Want
Thomson's Scalp.
MAYOR RONALD IN A DILEMMA,
A Conspiracy to BE Sprung This After
noon In the Board Of Public Works
Efficiency Not Wanted.

another demonstration this afternoon, al
though tremendous attempts have been
made by the better element of the Demo-
cratic party to prevent it. One of the
most efficient officials in the city govern
eminent is Reginald H. Thomson, the city
engineer. He was appointed solely for the
reason that he was believed to be the best
available man. He has not merely tho
surveying of the new streets to attend to.
but has been the constructing engineer on
the two sewer tunnels. the amount of ex-
penditure involved in which will be alto
gether about $3.50. 900. When Mr.. Thorn
son was appointed he made it stipula-
ton, as SO much was involved both as to
expenditure of money now and Of perma-
nent stability of the tunnels. that he
should be free to select his subordinates
solely with view to their fitness for the
exceptionally skilled labor they were to
perform.
This was agreed to and all efforts to
compel him to make room for political
seekers after office were anavailing. Not
only has he accomplished one of the most
remarkable engineering feats of the time,
but his reports and his suggestions have
been sought for by municipal engineers in
many other states.
Nevertheless. he must "go," except in
one contingency. Since Alderman Wolfe
who, although not particularly we'll known
here, has been placed on record in the
eastern part of the state, was appointed
on the board of public works to succeed
Major Rinehart, politicians have become
emboldened. They now demand that
Thomson shall be ''tired" to make room
for Camp. Who is Camp? Well, it is
said he will fill the offices with men who
want them, and that is sufficient record.
The major, to his credit be it said, has
cajoled and threatened in order to stop
the scheme.
He can hope for no help from Wolfe.
And this is why. The mayor had been
on bad terms with the board of aldermen,
and he promised them by way of pacitica-
ton. that he would appoint their choice to
the coming vacancy in the board of pub
lie works. Carrie, Miller, Wolfe and In
gram were talked of, but when the an
nouncement was made that Wolfe was the
choice, Ronald went wild. He declared
in a voice which could be heard half
block away. that he never in his life ex-
perienced such prompting to deliber-
ately break his word. Wolfe knows this,
of course, and he doesn't train" with the
MAYOR.
Wolfe is safe in Office for three years,
and he feels that he can defy those who
have the city's interest at heart, better
than he can defy those who have the Dem
ocratic party's interest at heart.
Jesse Cochran has only two years to
serve, but he is crazy to be sheriff. He
swears he will not die until he has downed
Bill Cochrane. Now, in order to attain
that exalted ambition, it il said, he is
willing to sacrifice the city's interest,
Thomson. or anything or anybody on
earth. This the Democratic workers
know; and although it is as sure as death
that he will never get the nomination, he
is being fooled into the belief that he can
if he will only ''get into line and make
himself solid with the boys"
1t was concocted that today Wolfe and
Cochran should vote to remove Thomson
and appoint Camp. But on Saturday
afternoon there was q storm aroused.
Mayor Ronald sent for Cochran and told
him he had submitted to a great deal of
abuse for having weakly yielded to the
opportunities of the gang, but he would
never. if he could help it. permit this mon
strous outrage on the city. He finally told
Cochran that if he voted to fire"
Thompson he would remove Cochran and
prefer charges against him.
Thus the matter stands: it is a pretty
spectacle for those who worshipped tho
golden calf
Meantime, Mayor Ronald is in an awk-
ward fix. He has promised his family to
go East on trip planned last fall, and all
the arrangements are made. Yet he has
the police trouble on his hands. On Tues
day night the inquiry into charges against
Chief Hunt, of the fire department., will
be begun; and now he has the worst of all
evils to face. 1t is not certain that he will
be able to go. The worst charge made
against Mayor Ronald by his friends is
that he knows what is right. but has not
backbone enough to do it.
In ho -