The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-01-07

The appointment of DR.. ]. ]. Sturgis by
Mayor Wood TO fiji the vacancy on the
board Of health made by the expiration
OF President Russell's term has stirred
up a good sized hornets nest, and If the
council confirms the appointment at It's
next meeting 1t may result in the COM
plete disorganization Of the board. A
Post-Intelligence reporter learned posi-
lively yesterday afternoon that one menu
Der OF the board has said he would re-
sign if the appointment is confirmed. and
he may be followed in this action by the
other.
DR. Russell proved himself to be one
of the best members the board of health
ever had. and there was a belief that
Mayor Wood would reappoint him. This
belief was not founded upon anything the
mayor had said or done. but simply on
tho assumption that the doctor had been
so acceptable member that he would he
continued In Office. just as Or. 5. j.
Holmes was. There is no salary in con-
nection with the position. SO ii was not
supposed that any physician was making
a fight for the place.
1t Is said that one day Dr. Russell met
Mayor Wood and told him that while he
did not intend to bring any influence to
bear for a reappointment, yet ii the mayor
saw 1T to send In his name and he was
confirmed. he would continue TO do his
best as a member of the board.
The mayor is said TO have bowed his
head two or three times. and then replied
that he would think the matter over.
Not long ago the mayor met Dr. Russell
and reopened the conversation about the
appointment The mayor had kept his
promise to think the matter over, be-
cause he is reported TO have told DR.. Rus
sell that he had decided to appoint some
one else. 1t is said the mayor assured
DR. Russell that there was nothing per-
sonal in the affair He had respect for
the retiring president and knew him 10
be a man high in his profession, but. on
the other hand. the homeopathic ply
sicians OF the city had been using their
influence to have one of their number
appointed on the board.
DR. Russell is reported to have accepted
the situation without shedding tear. and
so far as can be learned, the matter has
been dormant from that time on until
Mayor Wood sent I'm 70 the council the
name of Dr. ]. ]. Sturgis. It viii be re-
called that the council postponed con-
firma ton for one week. II appeared from
the report of the meeting that some OF
the members at least had not heard OF
DR. Stureis, and desired to know more
about him. how long he has been actively
practicing medicine In Seattle. and IL he
is entitled TO step in over weli-known ply
sicians.
Next Monday night the matter of con-
hrmaton viii come up again and some
people are inclined TO the belief that DR.
Sturgis will be turned down. Others think
he VIII 20 through flying. II has been
limited that one OF the reasons why Stur-
gis will be confirmed is that he might
favor the election OF a new health officer
DR.. Palmer. the present incumbent Of
that office, is. OF course not without his
enemies and il is alleged that they are
actively al work trying to get his scalp
A Post Tnta-Igencer reporter called up
on Dr. George II. Horton one Of the mem
bers OF the board OF health. last evening
and asked him II he had been thinking Of
resignlng. THAT Is right" he replied
is the appointment OF Or Sturgis the
caUse?" was asked. Not altogether"
was the reply.