The Spokane Cash infusion that bought a mayoral bid

In connection with J. T. Ronald's frank avowal that he was in the race for mayor, it is well known that the Democratic leaders here offered the nomination to H. Gilman, but he flatly refused it. The next most available candidate was J. T. Ronald, but he said frankly that he did not care for the nomination. He was not averse to accepting honors, but the fact was that he had no money to spare for a campaign. He told his friends that he preferred to practice law for two or three years yet, and then he would be in better trim financially for going into politics.

The Democracy of the city was in desperate straits for a candidate and insisted that Mr. Ronald must run. Those on the inside say that he did not give his final assent to the plan until he was promised substantial aid from a prominent Democrat east of the mountains—none other than J. J. Browne of Spokane. The story goes that the Democratic central committee already received $1,000 as an earnest of Mr. Browne's interest in his canvass.

It is well known that Mr. Browne is ambitious to sit in the United States Senate, and to compass that honor he has spent and will spend money freely. Mr. Browne does not care to wait six years and so he will do his best to secure a Democratic majority in the legislature at next fall's election, and he can give them more material aid than a Democratic victory in Seattle at the municipal election.