The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1901-11-27

at present. let IA review our recent
political history.
In the spring ~ 1885. IN the IN
teresi Of law and order. Frank
-. Black was nominated and eject
ed mayor ~ the city of Seattle.
April 9. isps. Black resigned. and
Judge William u. Wood was elected
by the city council 20 an the VA
cnncy.
In the summer ~ 1881 gold was
discovered in large quantities IN
Alaska and tho Northwest territory.
resulting In great excitement and
the rapid development OF Seattle as
the gateway Of these vast gold
flelds
A clamor was Immediately SGT up
by the specializing element Of Seat /.
tie. including some % the merchants
and business men. for what r. known
as the wide open policy In city af-
fairs.
So violent was tAia mining fever
that the mayor abandoned his Of
fee and went to the mines with the
crowd.
on November 10. 1897. the city
council elected Hon. Thomas J.
Humes 10 fili the vacancy caused by
this stampede.
Al this time Il was no doubt well
Understood and agreed upon. by and
between the city council and the
newly appointed mayor, that this
vide OPEN policy was henceforth "a
be adopted; and. In fact, II was then
and there adopted; and has been In
operation ever since. with what ef-
feet and consequences we shall pres
emily see.
In the spring 81 1895 Hon. Thoma.
J. Humea was nominated the first
time to succeed himself as mayor.
by the Republican party upon law
and order platform. 1Inmes was
elected. but IN violation OF the
pledges IN the platform. has ever
since continued his wide open policy.
In the matter Of hls second nomi-
nation and election IN 1900. let u be
said 10 his credit that he mndc M
false pledges. but stood by and upon
his wide open policy with fortitude.
wide Open Policy
This wide open policy has now been
in force continuously some four
years. and ever since the election OF
Thomas j. Humes 20 be mayor. No
vembcr 10. 1897.
DO the people know what this wide
open policy iH2
doubt n. No one not connected
with II knows the full length and
breadth and depth Of the inlqulty.
As ! understand II. II means tho
non enforcement OF the laws Of the
land, and the substitution therefor
OF arbitrary rules and regulation
.nenRanA he the
machine IN power.
Every officer OF the city govern
ment. from the mayor 10 the doR
catcher. takes an oath THAT he will
support the constitution of the
United States, and OF the State OF
Washington, and the charter and
ordinances Of the city of Seattle. .
etc.
We have ordinances prohibiting
gambling and other vices. and i'm
posing penalties upon the violation
thereof.
The practice, under this wide open
policy, IN for the mayor through the
chief Of police. who II under his
control, TO designate when and
where and how and upon what terms
gambling and other vices may be
conducted. The mayor has repeat
edly stopped gambling for short
periods Of time, on account OF gam
blers' quarrels and perhaps for
other reasons. However, the fact
" that he stops or permits II Mt will.
These violhtors OF law submit 10
periodic ievics OF assessments not
provided for by law-call n by the
name OF fines or what you will.
These levieH are made and the as
sessments paid without resistance as