The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-03-06


This lie the morning Of the city election.
and il will be well for the conscientious
votsr 10 think of the record OF the city
government during the las. two years in
order tina. be may determine whether TO
cas-. his ballot in support Of those Who
have during this period administered the
city's afEairs
The administration Of Mayor Ronald
began with a grand flourish Of reform
trumpsts. Elected by independent vos-
ers and morally If not actually pledged
10 conduct his government on .
non-partIssn basis. he began by re-
moving Republican officials right and
left without the slightest preten-
sion OF adequats cause. Boards which
were made non-partisan by the terms Off
city charter were revoiusionizei within .
few weeks. Democrats being substituted for
and intent of the city charter was thus set
at defiance. and many OF its wisest provis-
ions were annulied.
This was but the beginning. Every de-
partment OF the city government was
organized on party lines. The inevitable re-
sui. followed. A small coterie of political
heeiers and boodlers pushed themselves to
the front and became the actual head OF the
city government. Mayor Ronald yielded
TO the demands OF the suoilsmen ia the
beginning and soon discovered that by so
doing he had raised power that threat
ened even himself. More than once he
has been threatened with impeachment
by the impudent wreckers who had de-
privsd him of all influence In the admins
tration Of which he was the nominal head.
Thus began and thus developed an ire
sponsibie government such as few cities
have ever been cursed with. . Its sole OBJ
Ject was spoils. Its members sought TO
enrich themselves at the expense Of the
city regardless of its interests or its well
fare. 1t was the boast of the
wreckers that before tho term
for which they were in power
had expired they would organize in Seattle
political machine so strong and SO COM
plete that It could successfully resist any
efforts that might be made by reputable
and responsible citizens to secure control
of the city government. The city hall be-
came nothing moro than . Democratic
headquarters and the center of political
activity Of the most demoralizing and de-
basing kind.
From this state of affairs came the
shameless robbery of the city treasury by
Wreeker Krug. From this state Of affairs
came the loud assertions of the incompe-
tent Comptroller Carson, who publicly
declared after almost one-quarter Of a
million Of dollars had been stolen, that
the funds in the city treasury were in tact.
From this state of affairs came the swim
ding hydrant contract, the rotten brick
contracts, the purchase of the Watrous
fire engine. and the numerous other
scandals of similar nature that have
shocked and amazed respectable citizens.
From this state of affairs came the EN-.
ployment Of political heelers on all sorts
of city work. From this state of affairs
came the summary removal Of Engineer
Thomson and the costly botching
of the work on the sewers. From
this state of affairs came the
alliance with gamblers and the .oiera-
ton shown to houses of prostitution in all
parts of the city. From this state of affairs
came the Overcoming arrogance Of the
board of public works and disregard of the
eity's interest so fragrant that even Mayor
Ronald was compelled to interfere and re-
move from Office two of the men who tod ay
are recognized as leaders of the Demo
cratic party. From this state of affairs
came naturally and inevitably the evils
which have fallen upon the city and which
have made its government a stencil In the
nostrils Of honest men.
The voter who cares for the welfare of
Seattle should remember these things.
lie should remember also that the gang of
wreekers who have thus attempted 10 lead
the city TO destruction are still in control
of the Democratic party. He should
remember that vots for Durie
Is vote for Wolfe, and that
Wolfe stands for all that is wors,
in his own party. lie should re-
member that the only possible way to ex-
press in an effective manner his opposi-
ton 10 the methods and practices which
have been in vogue N the city government
- TO east hts vote for BYRON Phelps and
the entire Republican ticket.
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