The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-10-03
Showed Himself Absolutely In
efficient in Office.
Promised Voters of semitic Reform
and Forthwith Surrendered Him.
self 10 Appealing Demands of
Democratic once seekers-Ad-
mfnistratfon Remembered Only
for Scandals and DefaIcations.

making for the election OF j. T. Ronald
10 congress becomes more apparent. When
It In too late 10 rectify tho error. mem
bers OF the three fusion parties now see
where fatal mistake was made In the
defeating of James r. NcEiroy Mr. Rom
aids opponent, In the county convention.
There Is no question but that Mr.. Nc
Eiroy fs a far stronger man, politically,
than Mr.. Ronald. and would, If nominat-
ed have proved himself a far more dan
gerous antagonist 70 any Republican OPP
posed 70 him Than Mr.. Ronald. The most
serious objection to Mr.. Ronald, however,
II his record as mayor Of the city OF Seat
tic After six years In the grave OF
oblivion It has risen TO sit as n skeleton
at Democratic feasts. an ever-present re-
hinder OF two years Of the worst mis-
government the people OF the city were
ever compelled TO endure
so great was the reaction against Mr..
Ronald and his wing OF the Democratic
party since his term had expired both
he and all but n scattering few 81 his
friends and advisers during that troub-
ious period OF the city's history, have
been politically dead. Never since the Ron
MD administration Of 1924 has the Dem
ocratic party been intrusfed with the
reins Of city government This fact alone
- s,ifYic!ent 70 explain the large detection
Of Democratic voters from Mr.. Ronald
IN this campaign.
Against Mr.. Ronald as a private citizen
the Democrats Of Seattle have no OBJ
lection, but as an office holder a large
majority Of them are strongly Inclined TO
regard him ne an absolute imposshility,
not by reason Of any suspicion Of dis
honesty hut simply on account OF hts only
too well proved incamcity to fili even
an unimportant position In public life A
man who during two years trial showed
himself in every way unqualified TO act
Au mi Af 0AHte hA~ "a Ia
desire 10 entrust with the important task
Of representing the greatest state OF the
Pacific Northwest In congress.
n had History.
Tho history OF the Ronald administra-
tion is familiar story to large ma
well known. Mr.. Ronald was elevated to
the position of mayor almost by accident.
He was nominated by the Democrats ON
q reform platform in the early spring OF
1897 aerfous abuses had crept into the
city government under the administration
of hts predecessor, Mayor White, q Re-
publican. and the latter had been forced
by the leadsfs OF hts party TO resign The
feeling OF dissatisfaction among the voters
az the city. and although the city WAS
naturally strongly Republican they nocked
about the standard of reform raised by
Mr. Ronald and his followers.
Al tho end 81 one Of the most exciting
political campaigns the city has ever wit
messed Mr.. Ronald was elected by an
John Ieary, the Republican nominee. He
obtained his solid party vote. the entire
inoependent vote and large share OF the
Republican vote.
A few weeks later he went into office
under most suspicious circumstances He
had the cordial support Of practically
every citixen 81 the city. OF whatever po-
inieai faith. and had recognized that
fact bv thanking the independent voters
Ter their part In securing his election
and nledgtnR himself 10 a clean and con-
sarvative administration OF public af-
fairs.
with this promise on his lips he took
the first atapa toward carrying II our
~ sumrnariy removing from office all
heads Of departments wherever possible
ana appointing his political supporters 10
MI the resulting vacancies
This policy MIR, Ronald consistently car
ried out TO It's bitter end bad as the
White administration had been, the Rom
ah administration was Infinitely worse
Where under the White administration
two or three city officials had abused
their trusts Tor their own profit, but With
out directly robhins the taxpayers, under
Mayor Ronald they boldly piundered the
city treasury Itself 1t II putting n mildly
10 say that there was mere malfeasance.
nsHfeasances and nunfeAaance In office
during the two years az the Ronald adj
niinixtration that there had ever been be-
fore Ia the entire history of the munich
patty.
Was Personally N~spcnstbfc.
FER most Of the shortcomings 81 hts adj.
m'nistration Mfr Ronald was personally
responsible II had nefn hts good fortune
to I've az the head NJ nne of the strongest
city tickets ever placed In nomination by
any party IN Seattle. ON q We're such
men as George nsonwcrth. then a Demo-
erat. man OF sterling worth and spot.
less reputation. for corporation counsel;
Cant George IL FertSen. well known
Seattle lawyer who less than two years
ago fell white lighting Ter his ccnntyy's
tiaT IN the Philippines, for city attorney
George ]. stanesnan. a popular young
nenapeper man. for city clark, and So on
Evcn Honest Adolph Kxar. who a few
mouths later, under the EN- Influences ~
the men whom MayeF Ronald had gath
treasury and ffed from the city n de-
sauiter ADDED strength to the ticket as
noninre fer city treasurer Wncn he left
his bakery % take ofylCo under the Ronald
ADMINISTRATION he was looked upen as a
substantial citizen
h9t Mayor Ronald from the trst turned
ire pearss had elected e. assist htn IN the
government 81 the city. ana uneondition.
aliN surrendered himself 30 become th@
tool ~ ihe worst elemeat Of unc pemee-
raSN his Pledges ~ reform bic Wholly
ignored. and ta hts beast III 7 an elect
q mayor wa be mayer. he raid atal
less attention
Weakness ana varft3atinn became the
yoiSs ana hiuff ~ mAnneF though ne was.
4 seeu became evident tast be- wAs hut as
pMttv IN she hAats ~ Designing neraa-
Gratis whom he chose so Nls paltiiesl AZ
vltrss II was as oS@a rserst that the
laat mas Ne tsked Win was the mar
wNo nN2s inAuoNeea any stvRn Hrtlon aa4
tnls etaYa etcristse waa e&krn fnro account
Ny mo ward ~ea3efM AZ his parts Who
~easg&1 fgam him rewards Ter political SER
Nteeg. real @y Imaginary.
FnS THAI rsasan MAYER Ronald fsam
The ua0wtnNt that Ae wRs elestrI NnHi
ere ASS That ne BANDED ovaf the rsias q
government tn his Republican zrceeas y
ives avsleseb by = hungry hcyae n %.
Nceses kers attempting 20 satisfy whom
b. devoted bis entire time allowing ths
sgNirs W ghs tIty 10 conanct thsmsal1gs
as BEST they mlght With resalts easy g.
81 imagined
storm Centnr.
F0r several months Of she new uaAycr's
eafg lnistr&fien tha starn center wAs IN
the Sasgd ef public works inaHealstsiy
pfan taking eHace Mr. Ronald began his
work ~ reform rs Installing az mem
hfrs " thts irupertzp, branch u tNa eisy
goyrvnmert n Wolfe. who Nsd cecn
ct.p|1Ns3 ln ssttlns aud repairing trolley
Tslas f1r aUe 90 the lArge street railway
y. ell -, ~ l. .n.