The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1908-11-18
POLITICAL BOSS Is A
CANDIDATE FOR
OFFICE.
Postmaster Treasurer Mud
die Still Far From
Settlement.

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p. J. Smith, former county com.
missioner and boss Of the Kihe
county ring. Is the latest asplrapt
Tor the honors and emOlumente Of
the county treasurers office. Just
when Mr.. Smith entered the race ia
not known, but II is certain that n
The county commissioner. Ruther,
ford, Abraham and Buckingham. pei
an unhampered chance TO make the
appointment, Smith will ba
very seriously considered By them.
Aside from the candidacy Of Mr..
smith, the county treaEnrership "a
a. complicated as ever. Senator
Piles has taken hand In the mat
ter aud his activity IL causing con-
siderable unfavorabie comment by
those who object to having re-
sponsible county office made the
medium OF political exchange.
Five Candidates In Field. !
There are nov five candidates.
Smith. Lucius Mcclure. Ben Levy.
Dr.. r. c. Brier and Matt GormIey.
who has the nine legal points &C
corded 70 Possession.
What George r Russell intends
10 do, no one aside from himself
knows. and IL Is a question as TO
whether he has made up bis mind.
Whatever he does. be apparently
holds the key 10 the solution OF the
problem. He can pay no further at
tention 70 the office and leave the
matter entirely in the hands Of tho
courts 10 decide whether or not
Matt Gormley can continue: he can
qualify and resign and allow the
county commissioners freedom TO
exercise their choice. or be can
practically dictate who shall have
the office
Russeli's Position.
Mr. Russell feels that he Is under
an obligation OF honor TO fulfill the
promises he made before election
TO certain persons who were to hold
important positions under him. but
at the same time be feels that the
dignity Of his new office preciudes
him from becoming party 10 a
scramble for Jobs. lie Is con-
fronted by a dilemma which Is I'M
satisfactory 70 him whatever way
be acts
Il has been suggested 10 him that
be may dictate 10 the county com
missioners the name OF man to be
selected or approved by some or all
OF the civic bodies. The Idea IL
that the public In a general way
might unite on some business man
removed from politics and political
obligations who could perform the
duties Of county treasurer In an &C
ceptable manner. With the under
standing that the county commits
sioners should appoint this man, Mr..
Russell could qualify for the office
and Immediately resign.
Ben Levy Spoken Of.
In this connection Ben Levy is
frequently spoken Of. For years he
has been in the county treasurer's
office and understands the work in
every detail. II Is conceded that he
Is well. II not better equipped for
carrying on tho office than any per-
son who could be chosen az ran
dom.
There is some opposition OF per-
sonal character against Mr. CORN
ley's retention of the office, but
there is more general opposition
based on the Law. which distinctly
provides that the county treasurer
shall not hold office for more than
two terms. The law contemplates
that the office shall be thorouahIy
overhsuled once every four years
by a person with no interest In his
predecessor, and Mr.. Gormley's
critics insist that the law is a wise
one.
Opposition 20 Smith.
That almost any other solution
than the one that would put r. J.
Smith in the office would be accept
able 90 the public Is evident Such
an appointment would arouse in-
tense resentment. which would.
however. be without effect Ruther-
ford and Abraham. at the very least
calculation. have political debts to
paw 10 Smith and they are In a
position 20 flout any public protest.
II the board as IL is now constituted
made the appointment there would
be Rockingham 20 act with Ruther-
ford and Abraham to make Il unani-
nous. and II the appointment was
not made until after NJ. j. Carrigan
took office. there would still be the
two votes against him.