Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-09-03
DISSATISFACTION.

There is some dissatisfaction among
members of the Rspu blicaa party in
this county, and the sdvisability of or
gsnizing an independent party is being
freely discussed. Admittedly, the Re-
publican party has, il united. a ma
jority of from 800 to 1909 votes in the
county. There are two propositions
now being considered by the Demo
cratic party here-one Ii to nominate
straight party ticket and trust to the
aid and sympathy Of dissatisfied Re
publicans for its success the other TO
put before the people fusion ticket,
composed OF certain popular Repabli
can nominees and certain Democrats
though. TO be of exceptional personal
popularity. SO far as we have learned.
the question has not yet been definitely
settled.
The main cause Of dissatisfaction ia
not apparent. BY some it is commended
that the Convention by whom the nomi-
nations were made was not in reality
Republican; that its delegates were
elected by voters, q large majority of
whom were not Republicans. This
claim ia based upon the fact that at the
primary election large number of la
dies participated. These, exercising
for the first time the right of suffrage
at a county primary, had of course no
previous record rs members Of a party
organization, not having had the right
10 vote at previous elections, and there
fore not being upon record either as
Republicans or Democrats. Il is al
legged that by the aid of these votes
delegates were elected who, without
them, would have been defeated, and
that thereby an element not of record
as belonging to tho Republican party
controlled the Convention and selected
the nominees.
We cannot agree with this claim. IL
/. the duty Of the Couuty Central Com
mittee TO prescribe tests for voters at
primary elections. II no test Is pre-
s,ribed there IL no obstacle, nor can
valid objection be raised to the vote of
any qualified elector. Casting vote
At a primary election where no party
test Is imposed 10 the privilege Of each
and all. The deposit Of such vote in
The absence Of test places upon the
voter moral obligation to support the
nominees OF the Convention. Any
slector, without reference to his past
partisan record, has the right to vote at
9 party primary unless prseluaed by
tAt adopted by the regularly oonsti-
tused authorities o. the party. And
every elector thus voting Is bound in
honor. In the absence Of fraud, treach-
cry or abandonment Of principle, to
support for Office the nominees Of the
party, II they are capable and honest
men. These principles of political
ethics are 80 we'll established AZ TO need
no argum ent.
As remarked above, the ladies whs
voted at the Republican primaries we're
entitled 10 do 50. No test vas Inn
posed. By participating in that cleo
ton they declared their political prefer
eaoss and implicitly agreed to support
the Republican ticket This addition
10 the strength Of the party IL yolauta-
ry and welcome. We have heard litsle
objection 10 the nominees for county
Offices. 10 10 we believe generally con-
csded THAI they are competent and en-
titled 10 the Support Of Republicans in |
King County. The main objection ap-
pears 10 so TO the Legislative ticket, the |
nominees whereof are said TO be in IA. |
vur Of woman suffrage. No complaint
is made as 20 their competency or apsi-
tude for Legislative duties. bat /, is Oh.
ieeted thai they are opposed 10 re-
peal Of the Law passed by che last Leg
islaturs u this Territory extending the /
~t&~esN AA4&Nae4G W No&Ac1s tut4 "
sue h 10 be made. % h - veil thai il be
done now a. hereafter. and xe predict
that upon thai wheel many objectors
will be broken. There are great many
people In this coansy Who are not in |
favor Of veaaaa suffrage. There are a
great many who were not in favor of
thus extending the elective franchise. /
There are numbers both Of men and |
women who are nos yea eanvineed that /
the principle 10 correct or the results 1
claimed By iis advocates can or will be |
attained. Bat there Ia strong disps.
siticn 10 give the experiment. for such
IL is. ample time and opportunity TO !
prove itself beneficial or injurioas 10
government Legislation eonferring
upon women the right b vote 10 the |
outgrowth Of prolonged discussion. Il
has been for many years . cus<siea be- /
fore the Lszislatnres Of Numerous
States and Trrriserisa Il vas adopted
BY this Territory after sharp eansess.
waaaa suffrage 10 nos q law. We be-
lave Il shoui8 and uiIi h oixaa armada