The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-07-14
VERY GOOD REASONS
Why a Democrat Votes the Re.
publican Ticket.
Mr.. FRANK MUssETeR EXPLAINS.
Mayor, and Captain Monroe Chief
of Police.

To THE EDITOR: More or less criticism has
been INDUCED in with the reference TO my ac-
ION IN .'boltine" from the decision of the re-
cent Democratic convent on. Doubtless this
criticism has been largely provoked by the fact
that was until within the past forty eight
hours) the secretary of the Democratic state and
county committees, aud OF the Democratic
leasne Many have assumed that because the
party has thus honored one within its own
ranks that 10 question the majesty of party
conclusion, arrived at after due elaboration in
open co .vention, is heresy as objectionable as
IL was at once considered 10 denv the iuisllibil-
ity of the pope To such abelief cannot sub
scribe my concurrence. and therefore beg leave
TO state through the columns OF the Posr-INTEL-
LIGENcER my reasons for not supporting Mr..
JohnColins for mayor, and Mr.. Nick Hanna
for chief of police
/ am willing to admit that. as q rule,
thorough organization is sine qua non in all
successful party contests; And that party disci-
pine, iudiciously exercised, is not without effect
in maintaining tie integrity ofparty iinea Fur
ther than this cannot go. for the great danger
TO every party lies in the conversioa-by few
men--of the party organization into mere parti-
san machinery, welded wholly and solely for
selfish ends and purposes, without regard to the
public good, and not infrequentiy without re-
gard to the welfare of the party which has con-
fded TO them the power which enables them to
The people, as a whole, are seldom wrong in
their conclusions. They may be misguided for
time, but sooner or later they will discover
their error. IL follows, then. as a natu raj Sc
quence, that that party (which may be the adj
ministrative power, at any given period, will be
accorded the hearty support of the people so
long as lis administration is marked BY firm
ness, conservatism, high morality and devo-
ton to public interests. As q rule it is only
when the party in power becomes ex,ravagant,
corrupt, and exhibits a disregard of public in
terest and public opinion that the people de-
mand change in the administrative
powers. Given: A good government,
and the party in power will maintain
its supremacy for an indefinite period. History
especially that OF our own country-is replete
with illustrations OF the truth of the statement
That the dominant party always loses control
OF affairs when its administration becomes i'm
pure. And this impurity is never brought on
by the people. as whole or by the masses
which adhere to the political faith of the ruling
power. 1t is either the result OF an overwhelm-
ing majority which induces the belief in the
minds Of the leaders that their party's supre-
macy is assumed for an unlimited period, or it
is the result of long continuance in power, or,
as heretofore stated, of the conversion of the
party organization with mere partisan machin-
cry.
The natural deduction, therefore, will be that
in order to have pure administration the party
in power must be pure. How can party pur ty
be obtained? / maintain that it is only through
those who are independent enough to think for
themselves: OF those who are bold and fearless
enough to defy the party whip when cracked by
the machine manipul ators'' of the party. Let
these manipulatoTs once understand that there
are enough independent spirits in the party to
upset their calculations and the best of princi-
pies will always be adopted, and the best of
men always put to the front 20 bear the brunt
OF the battle.
So much for the general charge that it is
wrong to bolt the party nominations. l de-
sire it understood. however, that the foregoing
has no reference TO the cases in point My sup
port of Mr.. White ana Mr. Monroe is accorded
them because l believe them to be the best men
for the respective positions o. mayor and chief
of police at this juncsure. Mr.. White has been
a member of the city council for tie past year.
During that entire period he has never missed
single regular or special meeting OF the council.
He is therefore familiar with the most minute
details of the city government at the present
time. As has re emily been remarked, sit would
not take him SIX mon his to familarjze himself
with the needs and workings of the administra-
ton
During the past year he has labored in and
out of season for the people of this city, sbso-
lutely negleciing his own private interests He
has assured the people that. If elected, he would
at once arrange his private affairs so as to de-
vote his entire time and attention to the city
government, clearly recognizing the fact that
the next two years are pregnant with great pos
sibilities for the Queen City. The closest scrut-
my of hts public record will reveal the fact that
he has been right on every proposition in which
the people have been deeply interested, and his
past actions should be a sufficient guarantee of
his future course
Personally, nothing can be urged against Mr.
Collins. care but little Tor the allegations that
"he is chronic ofice-seeker," or that "he is
running saloon across the Sound" etc. Mr.
Collins has perfect right to aspire to fill every
office in the land if he chooses TO do SO. That
is the inherited right of every American citizen
He may or may not be running a saloon
across The Sound" The national, state, county
ana city governments has iesitimitiZei the sale
OF liquors, and no one can dispute Mr. Collins
right TO make money this way if he prefers to do
so. But l do take strong exceptions to Mr.
Collins pos ton on the question OF working eight
hours day. Mr.. Collins is recorded by the
city clerk of this city as capitalist" He does
not needto nor does he work for his living.
do. Mr. Collins is at liberty to devote one hour
or twenty-four hours 10 his business Or he NAV
leave it alone altogether and employ some one
else to watch his business | an compelled to
work from early morning until late ut night for
my bread and bptter. SO are thousands of Others
in this city. We appreciate the fact
that just division of the twenty-four hours is
''eight hours for work, eight hours recreation
and eight hours for rest" Mr.. Collins does not
He can rest and recre ate the whole twenty-four
hours If he wishes TO do so. Doubtless this is
why Mr.. Collins assumed the position he did in
the formation of the eaarter on the eighth <
question. Mr.. Collins has so long been a rieh
man that ne is not in touch with poor one.
Mr. Whites accession of independence is of re-
cent date. IL is not surprising, therefore, that
! he should have advocates in tine council. the
| doctrine that eight hours should constitute a
| days work for all city employees.
shall support Mr.. Monroe because his record
| a soldier. as citizen and a business man
| is of a character TO guarantee clean aud eff
| cient police ofrer. H. will himself be chief of
police. for he S man OF strong force of charsc.
/ ter He is man OF more than ordinary execu-
tive ability. and will administer the laws inflex.
! IDLY. re ;ardless of friend or foe
cannot support Mr.. Hanna because "he is q
| good fellow" ana these good fellows" are in
| vsriably men without any force of character
| whatever. They haven't sufficient strength OF
| character IL make enemies. Everybody in the
whitechapel district likes Mr.. Hanna. and will
| be cut today working tooth snd toe-nail" Tor
| his election. A good recommendation for Mr.
| Hanna II he resides in that district, but very
poor one Tor the property owners i'll the Second
] Third and Fourth wards.
! Mr.. Hanna may BE- good and faithful notice
| officer. ! know of nothing 10 the CONTRARY bu-
| this is not the only qualification for CHIEF OF
| police of city as large aud growing as rapidly
as Seattle. And yet thIs-and good fellowship
is the only reason / have head advanced 70,
his elCc;ion by his most enthusiastic supporters
And again, IL has been openly asserted aud
| not denied, that Mr.. Hanna, while night iail
! waichman under sheriff william Cochrane
| was discharged for negleCting his duty and ire
quepting a gambling he'll on Commercial
street II this be true il cannot be said 10 be
1 the strongest certificate of character for Mr.