Seattle Mayor Ousted Amidst Gambling Controversy
Acting Mayor Sweeney is removed from office in a polarized battle between the board of aldermen and the administration over municipal morality and power.
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Acting Mayor Sweeney has been removed. The board of aldermen last night, by a practically unanimous vote, declared the position of president of the board vacant. Mr. Sweeney asserts that the action of the aldermen was induced by the fact that he had refused to permit gambling. The aldermen, on the other hand, claim that the question of gambling was not considered and that Mayor Sweeney was removed for inefficiency and for undue interference with subordinate officials. As no one was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the removal of Mayor Sweeney, it is probable that Dr. Kloeber is now mayor. Upon this point, however, there may be a question. Taking everything into consideration, it is certainly a scandalous condition of affairs, although in entire harmony with the line of policy of the reform administration.
“It is certainly a scandalous condition of affairs, although in entire harmony with the line of policy of the 'reform administration.'”
Internal power struggles within City Hall are a permanent fixture of Seattle politics. This 1893 conflict highlights the recurring tension between 'reform' moral posturing and the practical, often messy business of municipal governance.
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