Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-06-04
Nv What Authority!

The Seattle Dispatch recently an
nounced the appointment OF MIR. j.
A. Kuhn, of Port Townsend, as dele
cate to the National democratic
Convention, which meets in Cincin-
natl, on the 22d inst. Who author
lied credentials to issue, is not
stated, but subsequent number OF
the same paper leads US to infer
that Col. Nash, the Chairman OF the
Democratic Central Committee Of the
Territory, has assumed the respon-
sibility of directing how the party
shall be represented in the Conven-
ton. We are strengthened in this
belief by the fact that Mr.. Kuhn,
previous to his trip East, addressed
letters to each OF the members OF
the committee asking for authority
70 act in the capacity of delegate,
but as there has been no meeting OF
the Committee, or, so far as we can
ascertain, no consultation or concert
of action, we are at loss to know how
q certificate could have been forward
ed which would serve, even as the
Dispatch views it, rs " a compliment
airy ticket, by which its possessor can
get admission to the hall as specta-
tor of the proceedings OF the Con-
vention, without vote or voice in
its deliberations. 1t is not ex-
pected that the delegate from Wash
ington Territofy will carry an in
Auence in the Convention which will
in any great degree shape its delio-
erations, but the action Of the Com
mittee is not, on that account, any
the less legitimate subject of crit
icism, or less deserving of censure,
if it's action has not been consistent
with usage and propriety. We have
claimed the privilege of criticising
the machine tactics" of our polite
al opponents, and have condemned
the unjust usurpation of authority
by which minority appointed del
egates to Chicago and performed
various other acts for advanc-
ing The selfish.purposes of the clique
which control, the Republican party,
and due regard for consistency, if
no higher motive, suggests that we
condemn similar acts of our own
political organization.
With Mr.. Kuhn's party record we
have nothing to do. 1t was for the
committee to decide-if they assume
right to appoint delegates-wheth-
er psrsistently boiling Democratic
caucuses and conventions and sup
porting the nominees Of, and accept
ing Office from, the Republican party,
does not place him without the pale
of the organization they have been
chosen to represent. Ii it does, and
he has shown such vacillation, they
had 10 right to make the appoint
ment His solicitation of the trust
did not carry with i; any obligation
On the part OF the committee to ac-
ce;he, unless it was in accordance
with usage and right and lie was
known to be o fair representative Of,
and acceptable to, the Democratic
party. They are Of course, answer
able to the party for their action in
the matter.
Whether Mr.. Kuhn is a reliable
Democrat, or not, is well known to
everybody who has noted his politi-
ca course TIE past few years, and
all the " credentials issued by one,
two or half dozen men, does not
change it, Or will it serve to give him
the least prestige with the possibly
successful candidate in the approach
ing national contest. We have no
fears OF the result, be circumstances
rs they may, but We do think the
committee, or some part of it have
made b.unier which the party
should at the proper time and in
fitting terms, unhesitatingly rebuke.
DELETE Brents seems 10 be at
continual Warfare with Congress.
After accusing both houses of dis
LOYALTY lie COMPLAINS that his re-