Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-10-31

The whole interest Of tho railroad
company In this canvass senters upon
the Delegate 70 Congress. That com
pany feared and justly, that the people
OF this Territory would In accord with
the demands Of every National Ccnvsn-
ton which has met during the present
year, demand Of Congress the passage
Of 4 bill forfeiting its unearned grant.
The Republican party Is In majority In
this Territory. Railroad agents we're
iustrucisd and their efforts directed 10
defeating an expression of the popn-
lar win by that Convention. II was
hoped that By 70 doing the public de-
mand for immediate and unconditional
forfeiture might be ssided. Il was be-
lisvsd that party fealty would DO sum
siently strong At the polls 10 overcome
the popular resentment that 70 secure
party success Republicans would sur
render principle, ssifie conviction and
consent 10 DO led 10 the polls With hooks
In their noses and collars about their
necks. Had there been sther great
questions involved, were this State,
wherein Electors for President afs 10 be
selected, Senators chosen and Con
gresham with vote and influence in
the House Of Representatives elected,
the plan would have succeeded. IT is
the method by which for many years
every State upon this coast has been
snthralled by railroad corporations.
But IL has become apparent that the
railroad company overestimated the
strength OF party ties, and nnderssti-
mated the intensity Of popular feeling
upon the only vital question nc issue In
this Territory. II expected that despite
the fact that large majority OF ths Re-
publican party are IN accord with the
declarations Of the National Conven-
ton upon the subject Of land grant for
fixture, they would. under party pres
sure, and urged by sense Of party 10y
atty, stultify themselves at the polls by
votiae for a platform and candidate hos
tile 10 their demands aud convictions.
In short, the railroad company having
captured it's Convention. thought II had
thereby surrounded aud corralled the
rank and file Of the Republican party.
II has at last awakened TO the fact that
even nomination by dominant party
Is not equivalent to an election. when,
as in the present campaign, the candi.
date and his platform antagouixe the
interests and demands of the body OF
the party.
Word comes from various parts Of the
Territory that the edict has gone forth
from railroad headquarters that nomi-
nees for county Offices by both the Re-
publican and Democratic parties. mast
be sacrificed 10 insure the election of
Armstrong; that his election Ia impera.
lively necessary for the railroad com
pany to save its unearned land grant.
To these desperate extremitics has the
candidate Of party, which did II rep
resent public sentiment upon the for.
fixture question. would have clear
majority OF 5000 votes in this Territory,
been driven. What more potent arRu-
ment can be urged upon the kepubh-
cans Of this county TO support and elect
the Democratic nominee. than the fact
that the defeat Of their Legislative
ticket Is sought 10 be accomplished by
trading of its nominees for votes for
Armstrong.
From every county Of this Territory
come words Of cheer. In every hamlet
the people are aroused and realize the
Importance OF the crisis now AZ hand.
The farmer, the logger, the miner. the
laborer, all the best representatives Of
that sturdy self asserting citizenship
which gives pride aud glory to Repabli-
can institutions, are in revolt 40 the at
tempted usurpation by huge corpora
tion, of ,heir sacred right TO declare
their own convictions, and make their
own demands, untramrlelled aud un-
swed. In this contest King couniy has
especial duty This county has vital
interest in the impending election.
Against the principles for which our
people have strenuonsly commended, the
railroad company has endeavored TO
mass the power Of great party. To
defeat declaration by the whole peo-
pile Of this Territory in accord with the
demands of justice, the emissa,iss Of
that corporation are using all the arts,
sophis,ries and corrupt agencies under
it's control. In neiShboFing ccnnty-
largely controlled by the Northern PACT.
DO and an auxiliary superintendent
are made that with respect 10 the head
OF the ticket there is no issue; thst all.
both Democrats and Republicans, are
for the railroad candidate. How far
that boast will be inside good remains
20 be seen. IL is evident. however, that
many prominent Democrats are using
every .dsrt in their power TO defeat
their party nomiaee for delegate %
Congress.
What il the dsiy Of the people Of this
county in the present contessy What is
the duty of Rspublicansf To our mind
but one answer can be given. That an
swsr il. Be consistent. Let your votes
support your declarations Of principles.
Express your demands IN the only pos
sible way. You have declared in favor
of unconditional forfeiture. k.nphasixe
that declaration by your votes. The
question ni forf~itare is not at issue be-
tween the two great parties Of tie ma
tion. IL isLn issue between The party
organizations 10 this Territory solely