The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-03-15
THE KING - DEAD; LONG LIVE
THE KING


When the reigning sovereign of France.
ana for a long time OF England. died. It
was part Of the heraid's duty to proclaim
from Q public place: lie Roi est mort:
yive lie BOT" In the same breath which
announced the demise OF one king was
made the announcement Of the succession
of another, In order tina; there might b.
not one moments interval between two
reigns; and thus was the semblance Of
perpetual government maintained
Tomorrow At noon Mayor Phelps WIN.
metsphorically. hand over the keys Of the
city to Mayor Black; and 1t the same time
the other departments will change hands.
II has been a short two yeau since Byron
Phelps, J. NJ z. Atkinson. w. T. Scott
ana n. +. Stewart took ofnce-shorfer
probably to them than TO the rest Of W.
Aldermen elise, LoveJoy, Compton and
Anderson had expected to remain two
years longer, but the new charter takes
them out; and with them 80 Leander
Miller. r. NJ. Daulton. J. r. Brewer. J.
Eugene Jordan. who went In with J. r.
Ronald ard have served four years: and
DIR. J. p. Sweeney. who has served fve
years, having been reelected. OF the DEB
cgates william voigt. Frank w. Goodhus.
James Gleeson, Frank n. Little and H. A.
Kistler will be missed
Tho past two years have afforded trying
times and the good judgment OF mayor
and council mas been severely tested. Only
a firm determination to keep down ex-
penses could have carried this city
through the last half OF the two years
on a cash basis. The council has borne
much condemnation. arising from its ef-
forts at retrenchment. most men dis
pensef with or whose salary was reduced
having a grievance which prompted at
tacks on other Iines Some there were
who bore the necessary evil with fortitude
and went on doing their duty with no less
fidelity.
Mayor Phelps has made a most consci-
entious and honorable mayor. He has
been patient under criticism. easy to APP
proach, but difficult to work" careful TO
watch tho merit of officers and allowing
no other consideration 10 influence him:
doing his duty manfnliy and braveiy as
he saw It. unmoved by interested clamor
and not deceived by pretended friends of
the city who sought TO promote their own
selfish purposes under cover Of public zeal.
In his efforts the mayor has been loyalty
supported by the other members OF the
administration and by the subordinate on
GERS. City Treasurer Atkinson has been
honest and capable. Corporation Counsel
Scott. with tho able assistance of Frank
A. Steele. has achieved some very notable
legal victories for the city. and the benefit
OF his labors viii reach far into the city's
future. The municipal court work has
boon mos. credltably done by Ellis de
Bruler: and the public verdict upon tho
city clerks office cannot be mistaken.
II the new city council acts. on tho
whole, as wisely and with such earnest
consideration for the diversified interests
done they will so out OF Office deserving
far more credit than the present members
have received only those who have
closely watched the proceedings. knowing
the city's financial condition. and realizing
the mischief TO result from extreme meas
ures. can appreciate the anxious thought
many proposed measure obtained. For
tunatoly. four OF the Old members viii be
m the new council 10 aid with their ex-
pcrlence the newcomers. Some OF the lat
ter have had legislative experience. but
the better their knowledge Of the true con-
dition OF the city. the clearer viii be their
course. The ensuing year will bring to
every member a realizing sense OF the re-
sponsibiilties of his office; before the sec
ond year opens M there VIII be great
Improvement and government viii be
easy. Hard times make government dlffi-
cult. and some OF the problems before the
council viii soon convince the members
OF the truth OF this.