The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-01-21
RONALD is PATIENT.
He Still Awaits Replies From
Wolfe and Cochran.
THEIR RESERVATIONS ASKED.
Letters sent By the Mayor 60 the I've
Commsssfeners-Edwfn Hall Wsr-
ser Takes Charge.

removal OF City Engineer Thomson re-
mains unchanged. The mayor had visits
from several prominent Democrats ysster-
day, bat Mr.. Ronald declines TO speak on
the subject, except 20 say that the assur-
ances OF support he has received on Ill
sides only intensity his determination 10
right the wrong. if thas be possible. IL
may be that Wolfe and Cochran consider
themselves sufficiently intrerehed 10 keep
up their defiance Of public opinion until
e.ection day. but he will not cease his en-
deavors. He feels that he owes 1t 20 him
self, at the last hour Of his authority and
responsibility, TO place himself on the
side of deceney in municipal government
No reply has been received by him from
either Wolfe or Cochran to the letters sent
them on Thursday night, and both de-
clare that they will not resign. They also
decline TO make any explanation or 10 be
interviewed on the subject. The following
is copy of the letter cent 10 j. NJ.
Wolfe:
eft is with profound astonishment that
/ have this moment learned that the board
of pablic works 4 few minutes since re-
moved from office the city engineer. This
IS uncomfortable 20 me in view of our con-
yersatson on the subject at .. IN. today.
sirlng . change was that Mr.. Thomson
was Republican (which is not a fs-tb
and that he would not discriminate in the
employ ment of his subordinates in favor
OF one political party. This would be the
most pernictous practice that could be sp-
piled to the government Of a municipality.
l told you I did not desire the change
made, that IN view OF the present status
OF the public works and of the promiscuous
charges of extravaganza and jobbery, that
from political standpoint it would give
the color of truth to what our enemies say
OF Us, and besides, l did not believe that
any other engineer was at present quite as
capable TO pick up and 60 on With the
works as Mr.. Thomson, who has been so
familiar with them for so long. From,
your expressions 1 have had no reason TO
believe otherwise, but every reason for
believing that Is q matter Of respect for
my preference alone. II for no other reason,
you would keep Mr.. Thomson until re-
tired from Office two months hence.
This is no personal matter to me.
With all this talk of jobberv and extrava-
gance and with Thomsons well-known
character for honesty and competency,
must confess that this act has shaken my
faith in your good intentions cordially to
cooperate with me in carrying out my
policy. and believe you have sacrificed
the public welfare upon the altar to care
less. needless, reckless, ruinous partisan
ship. This last move destroys all my con-
hdence. not only IN your expressions of
friendship. but in your ability TO manage
these vast improvements in the interest
OF the public free from selfish or partisan
influence. You stated in the presence Of
the board Of aldermen at the time of your
appointment that whenever the time
should come that your policy and mine
should not be in harmony, that YOUR res
ignation would be in my hands. That
time has come. Your policy and mine
are Numerically opposite to- each other.
do not wish 10 he responsible longer for
any OF your actions. | respectfully re-
quest yonr immediate resignation"
The letter sent by the mayor to Jesse
Cochran is as follows:
eff you were sincere in your pretenses
and expressions at 40 this afternoon.
then you made a cowardIy surrender of
your principles thirty minutes later How
can ] trust man who will talk one way
and act anotherf How can /, who am
held responsible for the acts of this admin
istratiou. carry out my policy with Of
heers at the head of the department OF
public works who betray met | most re-
spectiully request your immediate reslg-
nation"
They will be given up TO a time deter
mined upon to respond, and If by that
time they still remain stubborn the next
thing will happen.
Yesterday there were rumors that
charges were 10 be preferred against
Mayor Ronald and his impeachment de-
manded. Lee Hart is said to have drawn
up a lot of charges based upon well-worn
material, in order to- scare Mr.. Ronald.
but If he has any such purpose more con-
sentative Democrats who have heard of IL
will openly discountenance IT,
Edwin Hall Warner entered upon his
duties as city engineer yesterday morning.
and he and Mr.. Thomson immediately
started upon the work OF making an In
ventorv OF the records, plats and plans in
the city engineers Office. This will take
until Monday afternoon, when Mr..
Thomson will be entirely relieved
The apparent lull is no evidence of idle.
ness Many matters in connection with
the board of public WORKS are being
brought to the surface, men who have hith-
erto been quiet having volunteered testi-
mony. The close OF the present admins
tration promises 10 be more sensational
than at any time during the pas. two
years. The krug delalcation. the shortage
in Gallagher's accounts in the manicipar
court, and the Wilson water bill have
kept citizens busy since the reform" adj
ministra,ion went into Office, but the
worst has not been divalged vet.
RErERIICaN NETEpAN rr.rr-