The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-07-12
BROUGHT TO THE BAR
Ronald and Foftson Accused Of
Contempt Of Court
JUDGE GLASGOW THE AccusER.


The prospect Of Mayor Ronald and City
Prosecuting Attorney Fortson being tried
and sent 10 jail tor contempt Of cocr: viii
aaofd the h0odlums and ioAfess in daily
attendance - the police court considerable
grasincation today. They have both been
cited 70 shos cause Why they should not
b punished.
The facss leading up 10 the case are -
'oiioxs: On the Fourth of July great
crowds were visiting the Monterey and
harbor Matter Jeiich had trouble TO keep
the boat owners and masters In order. He
nnaliy svors out . warrant and had
Thomas Donovan. one Of the masters. ar
resssd for using profane. abusive and OBJ
scene language. whereby the peace and
quiet Of the city were disturbed. The
case came up for trial last Thur
day. and when Prosecuting Attor-
ney Fortson read the chsTgs Donovan
acknowledged that he Was guilty Of ''teii-
ing him TO 60 to h-L" To Judge Gias-
COWS request that he should plead
guilty" or mot guilty" 70 the charge -
read he made the same answer. He would
not plead guilty 70 the whole charge. but
simply acknowledged ceiling to 90 to
h-I."
A plea Of guilty was finally entered
against him and the Judge, - his 10 his
custom. asked for some statement of
facts in the case in order that he might be
governed in fixing the amount Of fne and
the severity Of the punishment. He ex-
amined Harbor Master Jelich. who stated
that Donovan had used the vilest language
imaginable in the presence Of hum
dreds OF ladies and children. In his
kAh ~lf ~ as~ oh
language and only admitted saying that
quandary as to what punishment to in
van was hardly guilty Of any offenss at
ness, he ought 10 b punished severely.
At this juncture Attorney L. B. Steiman
made his appearance for the defendant.
asked leave to withdraw the plea of
guilty" and to enter . plea Of mot
guilty" This was allowed and demand
was made for jury to try the case, which
was set for this morning at 10 O'Clock.
Last Friday JUST after the conclusion Of
jury trial. and before Diminishing the
jurors. Judge Glasgow asked Prosecuting
Attorney Fortson when the next jury trial
came up, - he wanted TO notify the jurors
on the regular panel when they should DO
present Mr.. Forts0n then arose and
stated that the case Of the city against
Donovan Vas the next jory case on the
docket and WAS sst for July II at 10 a. m.
He then continued, In open court and in
presence Of the jurors. that he didn't know
- he would prosecute that cass; that Mayor
Ronald had sent for him and called him
into his private Office and there advised
him that, inasmuch - . plea Of guilty
had been entered. his duties In the case
were ended. and advised him to have
nothing further TO do with it, and not to
prosecute it. He said that he afterwards
had gone to Corporation Counsel Dom
worth for advice and that Mr.. Don worth
had stated that inasmuch ~ Mayor
Ronald had instructed him not to prose-
cute the case he would not advise to the
contrary.
Judge Glasgow then excused the jury
until further notice. and. ~ he told . re-
porter afterward, the reason Why he did
not take instant notice OF Mr.. Fortson's
declaration was that he did not want to
do anything rashly, and wanted to con-
slider and reflect over the matter.
Yesterday morning, while the municipal
court was in session, tho Judge sent for
Mayor Ronald. who soon made his ap-
pearance at the judges desk. The judge
called Mr.. Fortson up, and then, after
calling the mayors attention to the case
and stating what Mr.. Fortson had declared
in eour. on Friday. asked him if it were
true that he had advised the prosecuting
attorney not to prosecute the case. The
mayor replied:
Ga Mr.. Fostsou's statement OF the facts, ! did
advise him not to prosecute the case
Judge Giasgow-What was that statement?
Mayor Ronald-He stated that plea OF guilty
had been entered against Donovan; that you
called up and examined Jelich and Donovan
and Afterwards ordered plea Of not guilty to
be entered, ana demanded q jury trial of the
case.
Mr.. Fortson here corrected the mayors
statement insofar a. il related to Judge
Giasgow's demanding q jury trial, aud at
the same time asked Mr.. Ronald if he had
not sent for him, which Mr.. Ronald adj
mitted.
Judge Glasgow then made statement
OF the facts In the case IS here narrated
and ut its conclusion stated that he was
determined that the case should be prose-
cused. and turning to Mr.. For,son said:
now command you, Mr.. Fortson. to prose-
cute this case
Mr.. Fortson-wi,h all respect to the court
khsu not prosecute the case unless my superior
offcsr, Cooperation Counsel Donw worth advises
me to do co.
The judge then turned TO the mayor and
asked him IL he still advised Mr.. Fortson
10 refuse 10 prosecute the case. Mr..
Ronald answered:
II the corporation counsel has advised Mr..
Fcrsson TO rely upon my advice. 1 shall not aa.
wise him to prosecute the case.
Judge Gisssow-vesy well, then. Mr.. Ronald.
you may show cause here on Thursday n.xt
why you should not be punished tor Contempt
OF court
Mayor Renali-l shalt oaey any order tia.
year honor Nay make that 10 legal
With this the executive of the reform
administration departed. and Judge Glas-
gov. turning TO Mr.. Forsson, said:
am determined that this case shall be prose-
cused, gn.ess Yea show come cause why il
should - dismissed. such - that you have not
snfssesent evidence TO seease . conviction
Nj. fosison-i am equally desessn ned no, to
prosecute. unless instructed 10 DO 90 BY ray su.
persor oGteer. Mr. Don worsh
Judge Glasgow ought to know xou,
daiies - officer OF this court II you doa,t
kaew them, Il shall he my UNPLEASANT eg,v To
teach yoa y hat they ara
The case comes up this morning a. 10
O'Clock. and If City Attorney For,son
persists in his refusal Judge Glasgow VIII
in all probability punish him 70. con-
tempt OF court, and commit him 10 iail if
be refuses 10 pay the fine.
Tne date for hearing the case ar.ins,
Mayor Ronald has not yes been set, bu; i,
~iA come up later. The case agains. hi.a
IS not so clear IS that against Mr.. Fort
L. -.