City Council Ousts Park Commissioner
William E. Bailey is removed from his post after being absent from the city for more than sixty days, sparking a shuffle in local governance.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Park Commissioner William E. Bailey was legislated out of office last night, a joint resolution having been adopted by each house of the city council declaring the office held by him to be vacant. Delegate Shields offered the resolution for the reason that Bailey had absented himself from the city for more than sixty days without leave of the city council. Delegate Crichton asked if anyone knew of his own knowledge how long Mr. Bailey had been absent, and Delegate Drew said that it was a matter of public rumor that he had been gone about three months. The resolution passed. A communication from Mayor Ronald was read nominating F. F. Randolph as park commissioner, vice W. H. White, resigned, and the appointment was confirmed.
“Delegate Drew said that it was a matter of public rumor that he had been gone about three months.”
Local political squabbles over the vacancy and control of municipal boards have been a feature of Seattle city politics for over a century. The use of 'public rumor' to justify ousting an official sounds like a scene from any modern council meeting where political maneuvering dictates civic appointments.
From readers
No comments yet. If you know something about this story — a correction, a family memory, a source — it belongs here.