The Political Handover of 1892

Mr. J. T. Ronald will today assume the duties of mayor of Seattle. With him will come into office those who were his fellow candidates on the Democratic ticket. The change will bring the legislative branch of the city government entirely, and the executive branch very largely, under Democratic control. The citizens of Seattle who opposed Mr. Ronald's election will view the change without alarm. They are satisfied of his loyalty to the interests of the city, and believe that he will faithfully endeavor to give an administration which will merit popular approval. The dangers which threaten his administration arise from the defects of his own party. His greatest task will be to keep his supporters in check, and, if he succeeds in doing this, his career as head of the municipal government may be a brilliant success. He certainly enters upon his duties under the most encouraging circumstances. He has behind him a large majority of the voters. He has almost the entire city government absolutely under the control of his political friends. He finds the city in excellent financial condition, with the most expensive improvements completed and with the entire municipal machinery moving smoothly and satisfactorily. Above all, he may rest assured that he will meet with no carping criticism, no fault-finding for the sake of fault-finding, no efforts to thwart him in anything that he may do for the benefit or for the honor of Seattle.