The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-04-07

morning to find themselves under n new
mayor Just who the new mayor Is VIII
depend on what time this morning each
particular citizen gets hold OF the news.
Unless the particular citizen receives the
news rather late. the executive head Of
the city government will be Acting Mayor
CrchtOn. but as soon as certain formali-
ties are complied with. as they probably
Will be at an early hour this morning. the
mayor OF Seattle win be william ID.
wood. who was last night chosen 10 III
the vacancy caused by the resignation of
Frank ID. Black.
The council had apparently settled down
10 the busy hum OF treadmiii session:
the clerk had read the innumerable foios
OF previous meetings; one or two other
formal matters had been taken up, when
without n single preliminary cough or
gesture. the clerk announced a commun'-
cation from his honor. Mayor Black. and
read the following. addressed to the city
cour ell:
The Resignation.
Seattle. April 6. 1896.
"Gontlemen: ! beg 10 hand you hereby
my resignation OF the office OF mayor OF
the city OF Seattle. to take effect upon
the election by you aud qualification OF
my successor.
an accepting the nomination Cor the
office Of mayor ! did SC reluctantly. be-
ing at the time fearful that my health,
which IL never robust would not endure
the worries incident 10 the administration
OF public office. I find now that / cannot
with safety TO my health longer attempt
10 perform the duties OF the office and
am determined that | will not do ha;f
duty. My reasons for taking this action
so soon after entering office IS that | be-
leve the interests OF the city will he bet
ter suhserved II my successor shall have
opportunity TO serve for long portion
more even parts.
1T would much temper my regret at
my failure to serve my fun term OF office,
II I might he allowed by you the liberty
OF suggesting 10 your consideration as
my successor the name OF Judge william
u. Wood. II this suggestion should meet
with favor at your hands shah know
that I have conferred a benefit upon the
city by my resignation, though I am Of
tn conviction that any other action on
your part win be well calculated 10 pro-
mote the good OF The city.
Il have the honor 10 he.
Very respectfully yours.
'F. u. BLACK"
\ Wild Commotton.
moments breathless silence followed
the reading q this letter Then a motion
was offered 20 take recess. ana that &C.
ton was about TO be taken without extend
Ing - the letter The courtesy OF formally
''reCciViu@' ID when polite aftsrthought
rescued and o. motion Il was received.
Then the recess came. and with q the
storm OF excitement broke. The rcmhe =
Of fho council. an save Hurd ana James.
wifh4!eM 70 an Inner room. ara a. once
plunged Into an earnest consultation.
throughout the rooms ana hal!wavs there
WAS a wild coulmotion and mon ga;hUre.
about In knots 10 discuss the great sur
prise. each apparently with s.me explara-
ton ga offer. Some reason 10 su~C -sf. soma
prophecy 20 make ana sacA cauf-ssir;
that while he thought De was pretty we'll
posted in what was goiuE on. yet 'he r-s-
ignatlon had taken him completely ty sur
prise.
The minutes passed on and san the re-
cess continued. Sooa ;he cchaurE cauaciI-
men called Corporation Counsel Brow q
into their consulting room ana asked his
oniUiou as IS how long a period lhty woult.
b. allowed in whieh 90 elect a mayor IN
case they should accept Mayor Blacks res
.arauo3. Il subsequently, leaked ont ;ha;
this WAS not The only point that proiractsd
their conference. that several 90 the eour-
cimcn wished. before adopting Mayor
Hacks suggestion as 20 hls successor. 20
make sure 90 Mr.. Woods position with
reference 90 several Important matters II
was evident tha; This could not b. done
last might as Nj. Wood VAS out az his
home SO the recess. which was az first
expected 20 continue i've minutes grew tC
half an hour
At last H was OVER N-ver crowtel
courtroom Was hushei Irto mo-v complete
silence AZ the comirc ln 90 a iarE-ieiavei
fury chan thar which feu erou the crowd
last ufcNt s@ the eonocilmeu uleI SLOWLY
back INTO the chamber.
Promptly apHu thv call 90 order Raw
mont offered roSollfion accepting tht
resignation ~ Mayer Nack. ANA the r,l
was called for q vote on the resolution
showing ten aycs. ellison. McNrdl- avs
Nttiu Vufiug rn- eo tho tts.llsien trs
vai.oi ana fhc resignation VAS accepted.
Woods Election.
Then Chapman offered -s-~olgtiou tra
William H. Wood Pa, elected MAYOR * th.
city 81 Seattle to nl The Vacancy cause.
t.r she vcsierAafi0a 90 Frank g. 1tlaek
l'ran this resolution. tsitfrs wore apali-t
"a and the vote fNv Wascr resulted as :
lows. William II Weod 70. Eths-.
AEnso-. sr g. A. the tsllef- luaIvsrtcnt
it omitted Hurt IN taking up ths ballots
ra4 the clerk Esd slreedA tsll.eyl rem !.l
for W ..na AMI ,~o for lNirSor y rrl t4ls,