The Wild West of Snohomish City Hall

At the present time, the people of Snohomish are wondering who the real officials are to whom allegiance is due. First, the city council 'fired' Marshal William Brown and elected Addison Cleveland in his place. Brown, however, refused to vacate the office or give up the insignia of the office. Result: Brown's office was forcibly entered, the safe broken open, and some stuff taken therefrom; a fight between Brown and Policeman Cole, who refused to recognize Brown after the city council had deposed him, ended in Cole's arrest after a free fight between himself, Brown, and another policeman. Then Brown took the matter before the superior court. Pending the decision of the superior court, the city was blessed with two marshals. At length, the superior court decided in Brown's favor, but the supreme court reversed the lower court. Then a city election was held and Dr. S.K. McReady was elected city physician. A few days afterward, however, it was discovered that he was ineligible, owing to the fact he had not become a full-fledged American citizen. Nevertheless, no one appeared to care about the matter, and the doctor holds the office to the satisfaction of everyone. Then, on the 15th of January, the newly elected city council proceeded to 'fire' Marshal Cleveland and reinstate his predecessor, Marshal Brown. The former, however, is now giving Brown a dose of his own medicine, and contends that he was elected for a year, and that he intends to remain the city marshal for the remainder of the year—about eight months. Brown, therefore, has had to resort to the courts. Yesterday papers were filed in the superior court by ex-City Engineer James, contending that the present incumbent of the city engineer's office, H. Anderson, is ineligible on the ground that he has not resided in the county a sufficient length of time to qualify him to hold the office.