The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-10-13
Mr.. Ronald's Unfitness.

1t was the hope Of those who cherished
a kindly feeling for Mr. Ronald that af-
ter his experience as mayor of Seattle he
would refrain, for the future from thrust
ing himself forward as a candidate for
office, for which he had showed a glaring
unfitness. His selection as mayor was
due to political accident. and to a lack
of knowledge on the part of the people~of
Seattle OF Mr.. Ronald's manifold disquali-
fications for the Office. which were SUBJ
sequentiy revealed. Mr.. Ronald was
known as a man of clean personal habits.
His loud. emphatic way gave to the cas-
uai observer the impression that he was
O man of force; and his coarse. blunt and
somewhat boorish manner had created a
like impression of sincerity and honesty
OF purpose.
In one OF the spasms OF revolt against
the dominant party which are a peculiar
feature OF American politics, Mr.. Ronald
was elected mayor OF Seattle: ana with
him was ticket composed OF men from
all Of the various factions which oppose
the Republican party. There is not man
who was resident OF this city during
the administration OF Ronald who will
seriously challenge the assertion that It
was the weakest. tho most dehauched In
competent and corrupt administration
which ever disgraced this city: and when
It went out OF office there was sigh OF
relief from all decent citizens. without
city government was free from some scan
dal. and all were conducted purely as por-
tion by the ruling powers.
incompetent men. appointed for political
reasons. nearly ruined the city water
plant A prediction fob was sprung TO
have the putting in Of sewer system
done by days work. and positions on this
job were distributed by ward leaders
among the voters Of their political faith.
In this Job engineering biuneers were
made, which neeessitatcd a large share
OF tie work being torn up and done over
again. The excuse OF the engineer In
charge was worse than the original blum
der, lie alleged that some malicious per-
son had "cut the stick" with which he
was measuring the depth at which sewer
pipe should be placed. and consequently
the outlet Vas higher than the inlet The
police department and The are depart
mont were made political machines The
pledge which Ronald gave that he would
suppress gambling and regulate other
evils was aiSregaFaea. ami criminals we're
placed under trtente 70 ana given proiec.
tlOn By the pousical machine.
Finally, a newspaper srticls alarmed the
CITY treasurer. a EOod.naiHFe2 lnofscnsivs
man. the vistim % his political friends,
ana se fed the city. An Investigation 81
his accounts followed. ana IL was found
THAI he had loaned the city funds out
Araoag his personal ana politieal friends.
In his safe we're their personal notes
Ansoag the men to whom he had intrustes
ths 0ltS funds wers members az tAe ex.
ecativs committee Of The Ronald political
machine. the city Comptroller. charged
with ,hs duty OF auditing the sreasurer's
accounts. ana Mr. Ronald himself. The
mayor OK the city bad borrowed from
the city treasurer N.seo Of the money Of
SAe Sisy. and givon his personal note
therefor. AIR. Renald's friends assert
that he ala not know that 6, was city
money 10 was receiving, TAss may be
[ tss-@ II be had taken al iHsslllssas II.