The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1878-02-22
Official Press of King County
Friday, Febr'y 90, 1878.
AS A NON-PARTIsAN PROPO-
SITIOE.

The Tribune OF last Wednesday eve
ming has an article fav0riDg the nom
partisan plan of the Rev. Daniel Bag
lev. as embodied in his encyclieal letter
TO the press, in which be advocates the
nomination by the Republican party,
of the three Federal Judges as Dele
gates at Large. and the acceptance BY
them Of the three Democratic candi-
dates for delegates from the Judicial
Districts. While taking issue With US
on the question Of the eligibility Of the
Judges, it treats us with such courtesy
that we feel obliged to answer it IN tho
same spirit.
We object to the Judges being chosen
to represent the masses on an occasion
Of this kind. First, because they came
here as officers, and have no interest In
the Territory beyond thor tenure OF
Office second. because we don't believe
in their being allowed to make the law
fret. and expouui it afterwards; third
because the proposition to accept three
Democrats as an Offset for the Republi-
can Judges. has the unsavory odor Of a
bargain and sale, which is degrading to
tho honor of q free ard intelligent peo-
pie: and lastly. because we don't be-
lieve that any Constitution framed by
convention of office. holders will be
ratified at tue ballot.box by tie people.
But il non partisan delegates are
wanted. we will make proposition in
which We have the sanction aud au-
thority of many leading Democrats. 1t
is the nomination Of man to represent
King county III the convention who is
above partisan bias, and can be trusted
to stand upon his merits as a citizen.
We refer to Hon. Arthur A. Denny. ex-
delegate TO Congress. Hearing his
name mentioned in this connection the
other day by some friends III this city,
he declined the proffered honor on the
ground that his private business de-
manded his constant attention, and that
there were others better qualified
moreover. he added, he had no ambi-
ton for public honors, having long
since retired from political life.
We make his objections our own
preferences for Mr.. Denny, on this very
account. The fact that he retired from
political life at time when he had
just finished successful term in Con-
gress, and contented himself with the
seclusion of private citizenship when
he could have been re-nominated over
and over again. and IS often elected,
shows that he stands on his merits as
citizen alone. and rises above tho pro-
fessional politicians sordii plane. His
objection to serve on the ground that
more able men than himself can be
found here. Is untonable. 1t does not
require . meeting composed of Jeffer-
sons. Madisons and Franklins at this
late day. to frame State Constitution.
All it needs 10 man whose life is
practical and who possesses tho requi-
site sense of . citizens obligations-in
word. . man Of common sense. No
man ever possessed the popular conf.
dence to greater extent than MIR.
Denny. which is boat proven by the
way that men of opposite political
affiliations speak Of him.
We therefore ask the Democratic
Convention. which meets to-day, TO
ponder well upon this proposition. If
King County. by vote of both par
ties. sends Mr.. Denny to the Conven.
tion which frames tho Fundamental law
of our coming State. and all others send
men more celebrated rs partisaus than
IS citizens. she will escape the criti-
casm OF future years; and il will Be
said Of her that the intelligence OF her
people. on this occasion. looked beyond
the narrow limits of partisan bias, and
chose man whose reliability "a citi-
sen was his only pride. Again, while
We do not believe that it is absolutely
necessary for man to have landed on
Alki Point in 1882 or IS, tn qualify
bin to frame the Constitution. a, the
same time it 10 fitting concession 10
the element that stood the storm ,ha,
We, who came here in later and riper
years. might enjoy in peace the bless
ings which now surround Us. Aud As q
non-partisan proposition We submit the
case 10 the Democratic jury.
OREGON MEMORIALS.