The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-08-01
SEATTLE, SUNDAY. August /


Tire announcement that Hon W. u.
Wood isssands resssning the once OF
mayor Of Seattle vii, oe received with
reTysctful expressions Of hope for the
sueeexs Of the enterprise in which he
purposes 10 engage. As he considers Il
ia his interest TO take that step the cit1-
sens need only wish him well and for
themselves take such steps as shall ses;
benefit tie city.
ssacs Mayor Wood entered upon his
term there have been great changes In
this city X IVES a promising seaport
even then, but IL has since developed
also into a commercial center for vast
mining interests. 1t has sprung with one
leap 20 the frcn; as a metropolis. weleom-
ing all classes and conditions OF men.
with wisely varying tastes and interests.
Seattle needs for mayor a bread-gauxe
man OF the world. one who will look 20
the csty's material interests. It's citizens
are brought bach 20 the conviction that
the spheres OF usefulness are not all GEN.
yared In the mayoralty. and that there
are other and more appropriate places for
The city hall
A municipal corporation il not a forum
for the discussion OF es:hetics. nor a
training school for theological polemics-
II IL business organization far the pur-
pose OF levysnS saxes. and OF expend.ng
the proceeds In the supply Of water and
Light, affordlns protection from fire. pro-
s.aing police for the preservation OF or
der and insuring TO the citizen immunity
from ma,esration In the pursuit OK his
business.
The next few years afford promise of a
splendid prosperity. We shall be guilty
OF utter folly IL we do anything 10 check
that development. We have seen tens of
thousands Of dollars driven from this city
TO Tacoma and San Francisco BY a we'll
ntanlng ba; mistaken conception of the
purpose OF a municipal government and
the functions Of a mayor.
Nobody In Seattle. whose Judgment is
worth considering. desires 10 see iawiess-
ness or RIGHTEOUSNESS nn every side. There
IS 20 reason Why there should be either
But no man whose livelihood depends
upoa business activity. whose property
values depend upon increased population
or whose ability to pay taxes depends
upon an encouragement TO increased trat-
flc viii longer be- patient under a policy
which sacrifices prosperity to a restricted
knowledge Of human affairs.
The pelicy or the administration should
H. 70 accord the widest latitude of In
divduai liberty compatible with the COM
fort of all. II should not seek 10 Impose
npon strangers and visitors. or even upon
SIS citizens. restraints growing out Of the
iaiosyncrasies OF any man or SET Of men.
or Mayor Wood there Is no need 10
sr,aS bat in terms Of the highest per-
saasi respect lie Is conscientious and
manly. and In che prosecution OF bis
Views Ia the right place and at the right
time. he Is entitled 70 ali the freedom We
osspeaA TOR Ms fellow citizens who differ
to narrow and straighsiseed Tor grow
iag city and cosmopolitan seaport. and
10 this opinion We have the support OF
every business interest In Seattle.
ras opportunity has come r1ost oppor-
fuaeiy 70 change it-not - reverse Il. no;
20 ovorturn ihe excellent business system
az the executive departments. not 20 "a.
lax the economy which IS pr8ctlced, ne,
q let SO any az the good he has hrough
10 SIS councils. BOT TO broaden the civic
peliey. and transform the quiet village
o. Puritan Rsessielsm into the b.g. busy.
aus.i!ng city.