The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-08-12
THE REVOLT AGAINST WILSON.
Due to the Congressman's Personal Un.
popularity, . Friend Says.

Dae 10 the COu$reSSmdn,S ferSOu8l Un-
popularity, . Friend Says.
TACOMA, Aug. 11.-Several of the most
prominent Republicans of Spokane Falls
have been spending few days in the city,
among them Senator III. L. Houghton. who
came over from Olympia Saturday, where
he has been attending to his cases before
the supreme court. In the course of a con-
versation at the Tacoma with the uosr-IS-
TELLIGENcER correspondent Judge Hough-
ton expressed himself quite freely on the
subject of the recently developed opposi-
tioa to the nomination of Congressman
Wilson and the effort to force Judge Tur-
ner to the front as the representative of
what is alleged to be the prevailing Re-
publican sentiment, not only in
the Falls City, but in the coun-
ties of Spokane. Stevens, Lincoln,
and Whitman. Judge Houghton- stated
that he was away from Spokane Falls at
the time of the circulation of the petition
urging Judge Turner to become q candi-
date, and not having seen the document
he says he is hardly competent Judge of
its character, though he believes its weight
to have been greatly exaggerated by the
dispatches claiming that it bears the sigma
lures of 400 prominent Republicans.
Certainly the statement is not well calcu-
lated to inspire confidence in its accuracy
in the minds OF those who are at all famil-
lar with the personnel OF the party's prom
inentn list at Spokane Falls.
Senator Houghton's position is such as
to give much weight to his opinion of the
merits of the contest. if, indeed, it can be
said to have any merits. He is on the best
of terms with Mr.. Wilson, and is particu-
lar personal friend of Judge Turner, whose
nomination for congress he once earnestly
advocated and for whose appointment to the
Federal judgeship he zealously worked last
winter. He says:
believe the opposition to Mr. Wilson to be
based upon entirely personal grounds, and
hence do not regard 1t at all seriously. II Mr..
Wilson were guilty Of political blunders or
breaches OF political fealty; II he could be justly
charged with having been recreant to the trust
reposed in him as q represent alive of the princi-
pies and wishes of the Repui licsn party
in the state of Washington, there
wonld, of course, be reason for opposing
HIM upon gr unds of public and party policy,
and In that case the opposition would not be
confined to few ge tlemen in SpoKane Falls
who are anxious to have their axes ground. but
would extend TO 50 large number Of the party
leaders and voters in al parts OF the state as to
command serious consideration do not like
to see my friend Judge Turner put in false
position before the public. He is thorough
gentleman and an exceptionally able man,
highly regarded by his fellow townsmen, whose
expre ssions OF confidence and esteem he must
certainly apprecia most highly. l am not
surprised thai he has complied with the request
embodied in the petition re'erred to, though he
may easily have over stimatod its character and
influence. It is very evident to me that there
are other factors in the opposition besides the
removal of Postmaster Warren and the failure
of General Curry to get the United States mar
st alship, but you will excuse me from referring
part cuiarly to my personal knowledge Of them
will say, however, that they are all so personal
in their nature as to be almost barren of real
elements of strength. i am convinced that the
movement does not extend to the country, and,
in fact, have most excellent reason for be-
heying that the farmers are almost unanimous
in favor of Mr.. Wilson's denomination 1t is
generally considered that he has been a
jealous, faithful and efficient representa-
tive His services must be weighed
in political, not personal balances. and
so they will be. Even If the opposition TO him
was 8 strong in Spokane Falls as it is reported
to be, believe he is strong enough to secure a
majority OF the county delegation, as the census
shows that the country and smaller towns
united viii have larger representation than
the city. believe. however, that he win secure
the city delegation as well, and, furthermore
that he will be renominatsd by acclamation.
After giving us the man OF our choice last year,
against whom no valid political objections can
now be urged, this side of the mountains wonld
he warranted in refusing TO consider any other
man from our side, however able, should east
ern support be Withdrawn from Mr. Wilson. and
Won see do not regard that contingency as
being at all probable.