The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-03-01
THE MAYOR WILL GO.
Ronald Leaves Today for a Visit
South and East.
HIS ADVICE TO THE COUNCIL.
Recommendations ~ to the Issue Of
Bonds FOR Needed improvements
Talk About His Trip.

OF Mexico, back through the Southern
states. thence 10 New York and returning
to Seattle by way of the Worlds fair. He
officially announced his intention in the
following communication to DR.. J. r.
Sweeney:
Tomorrow ct SIS will leave the city Of Seat
tie to 60 beyond the corporate limita During
my absence and until my return. the duties of
the ONCE Of mayor will devolve upon ana be
discharged by you mayor by virtue OF your
Office as president of the board Of aldermen OF
said city.
Acting Mayor Sweeney announces that
he will be at the city hall daily from IL
until O'Clock to transact city business.
Mr.. Ronald visited the chamber of the
board of aldermen, and was called upon
for farewell" speech, but he said he did
no. feel that it was a farewell; he intended
coming back. The fact was that he was
tired; he had had no vacation for eleven
years, and he had long planned this trip.
He spoke briefly Of the efforts OF the city
government, and felt the verdict would be
that they had tried to do we'll. He had
no doubt things would 60 along smoother
after he got away. as he seemed to be the
bone of contention. That did not bother
him, however. He called attention to the
necessity for issuing bonds to take up out
standing warrants. The city of Seattle
had, he said, q chance, to do
what the city of Chicago had done,
and that was to voluntarily assume an in
debtedness which had been declared ille-
gal. He had no doubt the people would
honor their promises and not evade pay
ment of a just obligation through a tech
nicality. He felt assured that the city
bonds at 5 per cent. could be sold at a pre-
MUM. He also advised that sos 900 more
be expended on the Lake Union sewer tun-
mel, upon which masonry work was now
suspended. There is money enough to
finish the south sewer tunnel. There were
fifty miles Of streets, some of which ought
to be severed by the time the tunnels are
ready. Mr.. Ronald. in passing. paid a
high compliment to City Engineer Thorn
son. The sanitary condition of the city
was, he said, better than might be ex-
pected, but he advised that the people be
requested to vote 100000 bonds for the
purpose of putting in sewers which were
urgently needed.
1t is necessary also, he said. to have a
new pump. The Dow is almost useless
and the city can only calculate on {, 500. 900
gallons daily. and the,city is getting pay
for over 100000 gallons. There is an ap-
parently inevitable waste and q new pump
is absolutely necessary. He strongly urged
early movement toward the Cedar river
system as q matter of self-protection, as
the cost Of maintaining pumps will soon
be greatly beyond the interest on bonds
for the entire outlay, which will insure
pure water for all time to come.
He advised, also. that the city own its
lighting plant. Altogether. they should
issue bonds to validate outstanding war
rants to the amount of $500. 900, sos, 900 for
the sewer tunnel. $500. 900 for a sewerage
system, and $1,000, 600 to complete the
Cedar river system. The people of the
future will enjoy these advantages; let
them help pay for them. In conclusion,
he earnestley appealed to the council not
to overrun the revenue, as there was no
excuse now for issuing illegal warrants.
He had no doubt history would do this
administration justice. He babe the
members goodbye.
Aldermen Sweeney and Jordan expressed
the good will OF the board. Mr.. Sweeney
said his policy would be to act simply as
mayor. leaving each of the departments
and commissions to look after their own
affairs without any interference from him.
''By the end of your term you will need
a rest, too" remarked Mr.. Ronald.
[Laughter.l The members wished him q
pleasant journey.
As he shook hands with the aldermen
DR.. Jordan remarked: "If you run short,
Mr.. Mayor, draw on me-" to which the
mayor replied: II am sure if needed it
you would honor it, DOCTOR"
In an interview last night Mayor Ronald
stated that he was going to take vaca-
ton and try to regain his health: that
when he was chosen mayor he had tried
to drop his private business, but found he
could not make living and pay his debts.
Now he was tired out and, with his wife
and eldest daughter. proposed to have q
pleasure trip. He said that his partner
would be in communication with him each
day so he could be called home, but he had
no intention of coming until July if every
thing went right in Seattle. Il expect"
said he. "to visit California, the City of
Mexico. go to New Orleans, Florida, Sa-
vannah, Atlanta and other Southern cities,
and return about the first Of July"