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



Was Breaking Down.
Mr.. Black was seen at his residence on
Beacon hill after his resignation had been
read aad accepted and his successor elect
ed. He stated that the letter of resigna-
ton contained briefly his reasons and all
Of his reasons for laying down the office
Continuing. he said that he had been per
s1aded to accept the nomination for the
office against his better judgment. for he
felt that his health would be unequal 10
the demands of the office. He had not
been. with his own consent. candidate
before the convention, but when the nom
ination came TO him with but thirty min
utes In which to make up his mind. he
had yielded to the pressure of his friends
and accepted His subsequent election was
certainly gratifying 10 him
He found. however. that he had under
rated the responsibilities, cares and anx-
ieties Of the office and their effect On him.
The pressure commenced before the cleo
ton and continued undated until mos:
OF the nominations for Office had been
made. The che serious evil from which
he suffered was the inability to shake of
the cares and worries of his position after
business hours. He took them home with
him and they disturbed his hours of rest.
His health had never been good. Some
years since he had two or three severe
hemorrhages. brought about by too close
confinement at indoor work. Since than
ii had become a necessity to him TO spend
a good share of his time in the open air.
He had arranged his business with that
end in view, and as a consequence his
health had become materially better. Since
taking Office he found that TO faithfully
discharge the duties 1t would be necessary
for him to devote at least five hours daily
10 desk work This with the necessary
and unavoidable demands of his private
business, had compelled him 10 give up
almost altogether his outdoor life, and his
health at once began TO be seriously at
fecfed.
Some days ago while on his way to his
office in the city hall he had a return of
an old heart trouble. Former attacks had
passed off In from three to four hours, bu.
this remained with him for more than
twelve hours. From that time he had
commenced TO think seriously of resign
ing. and had finally taken the step. he
added here that If the extraordinary pres
sure and worry of the first few weeks OF
his term had been postponed to the end OF
IL. he might have been enabled to hold
out. AS it was it was matter of get out
Of the Office or break down.
In addition to this. ii would be necessary
for him before this year was out 10 be a5-
sent from the state more or less. One
particular trip which was Inevitable, would
take him away for four months.
Mr.. Black said further that he believed
his successor, Judge Wood, was much more
competent for the position than himss L.
He was man of business experience
undoubted ability, and, he believed, of
much executive capacity-certainly in that
respect far the superior of Mr.. Black him
self He was satisfied that Judge Wood
would give Seattle an administration OF
which every citizen would have reason
TO feel proud. Mr.. Black was much graft
fed that the city council had so promptly
approved of his recommendation of a sue
cessor to himself. and he was grateful 10
them for their action.
Incidentally he observed that the wor-
ries and cares of his office had distracted
his attention from his private business in
terests 10 his serious detriment in some
instances. but he added that this fact was
not one of the causes which led to his res
ignation. He had expected such a result
TO follow when he took the Office Had
his health not been at stake he would
have put up with the damage to his pri-
vate business affairs in order that he
might conscientiously fulfil the duties
which he owed to the public When ne
found his health was actually and seri-
ously suffering. he felt il was necessary
for him TO retire. and he did so with the
less hesitation because he felt he was
leaving the administration of the city in
more competent hands than his own