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1,227 stories matching mayor
- The Mayor Fires Two Police Commissioners to Keep Blackchapel Shut
In a single day, Mayor Phelps removed two police commissioners, accused them of conspiring to protect a red-light district and oust Chief Rogers, and installed replacements before the House of Delegates could slow him down.
- The Mayor Fired Him; He Took City Hall to Court
Police Commissioner John O. Niggle challenged Mayor Phelps's removal power—and his fellow commissioner Cheasty refused even to shake the mayor's hand.
- The Mayor's Power to Fire: Seattle's Removed Police Commissioners Fight for Their Jobs
J. G. Niggle and E. G. Cheasty argue that Mayor Byron Phelps removed them without notice or hearing—and that the city charter requires cause, not whim.
- The Night Seattle’s Mayor Nearly Fired His Police Board
An executive-session showdown over Chief Rogers ended with Mayor Phelps handing a commissioner his own removal papers — then taking them back.
- Tacoma’s Mayor Fires Public Works President After a Heated Exchange
David L. Demorest tells Mayor Orr he wants nothing more to do with his administration; by evening the mayor has a letter ready declaring him out of a job.
- A Mayor Suspends His Fire Commissioner—and a Firehouse Scandal Erupts
Mayor Phelps removed Commissioner George T. Masel amid a fight over Chief Allen and a teenage girl's allegation against a fireman at department headquarters.
- The Mayor Fires a Police Commissioner to Save His Chief
Seattle's mayor removes John G. Niggle from the police board, accusing him of protecting prostitution and conspiring to oust Chief Rogers — then demands that two more commissioners resign on the spot.
- The Mayor Clears the Room: Phelps Fires a Fire Commissioner and Stares Down a Coup
When Fire Commissioner Masel and two allies tried to break Chief Allen on a trumped-up morals charge, Mayor Phelps suspended Masel for not being a freeholder — and the three commissioners walked out into the night.
- Fire Chief Ousted in Late-Night Commission Coup
A divided fire commission removes Chief Allen for 'incompetency' and taps ex-Chief Kellogg, prompting a furious protest from the mayor.
- The Mayor's Private Police Force
A police commissioner resigns after Mayor Ronald demands the dismissal of specific officers to clear the way for his own political appointees.
- The Police Chief Who Refused to Reopen Seattle's Red-Light District
A behind-the-scenes account of how a police commissioner tried to oust Chief Rogers because he wouldn't let the Blackchapel cribs rent again—and how the mayor stopped him.
- Seattle's Mayor Overreached: Judge Langley Voids the Police Commission Firings
The mayor's summary removal of Police Commissioners Niggle and Cheasty was null and void, the court ruled, leaving Chief Rogers in charge and the city's police leadership in limbo.
- The Duke Who Dropped In: A Wealthy Widow Marries a British Peer in Seattle
On June 20, 1898, the Mayor of Seattle officiated the wedding of Mrs. Hammarskjöld and the Duke of Marlborough, drawing crowds and high-society witnesses to City Hall.
- The Mayor's Chair Is No Bed of Roses
Olympia's old city officers resign to clear a ballot-printing challenge, the new mayor takes the oath—and both incoming and outgoing officials warn that public service brings more abuse than thanks.
- The Mayor Who Acted as Judge, Jury, and Prosecutor
In 1892, a high-stakes power struggle over city contracts led to a surreal administrative trial where the Mayor of Seattle presided over his own accusations against the Board of Public Works.
- City Hall Showdown: Council and Reformers Clash Over Charter Revision
A heated joint meeting of the city council and civic organizations debates whether to call a special election for a new city charter, with accusations of bullying and claims of wasted taxpayer money.
- The Midnight Purge of the Seattle Police
Mayor J.T. Ronald orchestrates a defiant, late-night suspension of Police Chief Bolton Rogers in a battle for control over the city's executive branch.
- The Mayor, the Commissioners and a City Hall Truce
Seattle's police board waits for Mayor Phelps to make his next move after a judge sides with Commissioners Cheasty and Niggle.
- The Unholy Alliance Behind the Mayoral Win
A deep dive into the disparate coalition—from saloon owners to railroad bosses—that ousted Mayor Campbell in favor of George P. Wright.
- Mayor Hunt's Foundry Fix
The city’s mayor stands accused of forcing a conflict-of-interest contract for ironwork to his own foundry, costing taxpayers dearly.
- A Mayor, a Rigged Lottery, and the Fight for Olympia's City Hall
A month out from the municipal election, the Tribune accuses Mayor J. C. Horr of quietly fixing his fences for a second term — and the drawing of lots that handed one councilman a longer seat looks to a good many people like a put-up job.
- The Mayor Fired Him; He Says the Charter Says Otherwise
Ex-Police Commissioner E. C. Cheasty asks a judge to overturn Mayor Phelps’s removal, arguing City Hall ignored the charter and punished him for a political vote.
- The Mayor's Split Personality
Seattle's local newspaper prints conflicting editorials on the same day, alternating between praising Mayor Henry Yesler and condemning his lack of courage.
- The Mayor's Gavel Clashes with Councilman Hedges
A power struggle in Everett's City Hall turns theatrical as the mayor attempts to silence a council member by calling in the police.
- The Janitor War at City Hall
Mayor Ronald and the Board of Aldermen are locked in a standoff over who gets the keys to the city building.
Also about this, in other words
- The Town Council's Musical Chairs
After the incoming mayor resigns immediately upon taking the oath of office, the city council descends into a scramble to fill the vacancy.
- The City Charter of 1886
A legislative blueprint defining the duties of Seattle's mayor, council, and police as the growing territory formalizes its municipal rule.
- The Mayor and the Mutinous Council
Mayor Geo. F. Richardson defends his administration against accusations of 'rocking the boat' in a fiery public letter.
- The Mayor as Judge, Jury, and Prosecutor
Mayor Ronald faces criticism for holding hearings where he acts as the sole arbiter in a case involving the removal of city health officials.
- The 'Wise Men' Choose a Candidate
A closed-door committee of seven selects a business-friendly mayoral ticket in a move to 'run the city like a corporation.'
- City Hall Under Siege
Mayor Ronald is coerced by a stormy aldermanic caucus into appointing J. M. Wolfe to the Board of Public Works.
- The New Boom in Port Townsend
Fresh from the recent election, the new municipal government promises rapid expansion and a bold vision for civic infrastructure.
- The Mayor's Political Purge at City Hall
Mayor Ronald’s controversial investigation into the board of public works reveals deep-seated tensions over patronage and political maneuvering.