The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-20
Not a Single Vote Was Cast
Against Senator Squire.
cALkINs MEN ATTENDED, TOO.
The Proceedings Were Entirely Regu-
lar and the Result is Decisive.
When the Call Was Read in the Olympia
Hotel Calkins Mob, Yelling in Fury,
Attempted to Tear Up the Paper
Tom Ewing and Nelson Bennett Led
the Angry Horde-Both Houses VIII
Vote I'm Separate Session Today
Squire on the First Ballot.

the Angry Horde-Both Houses VIII
Vote in Separate Session Today
Squire the First Ballot.
OLYMPIA, Jan. 19.-tSpecial "A caucus
OF Republican members of the legislature
tonight unanimously nominated Watson
c. Squire for United States soma
tor under circumstances that unmistak-
ably indicate his triumphant reelection
The drift of sentiment during the past few
days has been so strong toward Squire
that it wos today evident that ne had
clean majority of all the members of the
legislature, and it was therefore resolved
by the Squire to clinch matters by holding
caueus Fifty-six signatures, one less
than majority were obtained, the Calkins
contingent refusing to sign. Several men,
bers known to be for Squire were not seen,
or declined for personal reasons to enter a
caucus. Their votes. which could be de-
pended upon absolutely, gave Squire more
than the necessary number. Later, one
more was added, making the necessary
fifty-seyen.
The exciting incidents which followed
attack made by the Calkins strikers and
the stormy scenes which followed
at the caucus are described in detail
below. The result is complete
triumph for Squire, and is so regarded by
his friends and enemies. For reasons that
are given elsewhere an election may be
prevented in tomorrow's ballot, though
Squire will have majority of all the
xy.tn 1x,k
ergency arises Squire's election on Wednes-
day on the first ballot in joint convention
is a certainty.
OLYMPIA, Jan. 19.--TSpecial. IA scene
Of intense excitement took place in the
lobby of the Hotel Olympia about 7:20 to-
night, and precipitated the Squire forces
and the Calkins faction into a noisy con-
fiict nearly approaching riot and lasting
for many minutes. Howling, jeering,
shrieking men pushed and crowded and
yelled at each other until they were hoarse,
and cries for Squire" "Calkins," and
Carroll T" were raised from 500 yelling
throats in chorus as deafening and con-
fusing as pandemonium itself. 1t arose in
this way. During the day call for Re-
publican caucus to meet at O'Clock to-
night was circulated among the Republi-
can members of the legislature,
and at o'clock in the even
ing fifty-six signatures. ten less than
majority of all the members
and nearly two-thirds of all the Repub-
licans, were obtained. The Calkins faction
generally refused to sign the call, and an
nounced their intention of staying out.
When, however, they learned of the signal
success of the promoters of the caucus,
their discomfort broke forth into excited
anger, and they loudly declared that they
had been given no opportunity to join. A
consultation was held among Republicans
and it was decided that the call should be
read in the hotel lobby, and all the Repub-
lican members invited to join. A scene
of uproar and excitement was expected,
and therefore Representative Meany, of
King, who has strong voice and power
full physique, was chosen TO make the an
nouncement.
The hotel lobby is a room about 60 by
$50 feet in dimensions. At one end there
is broad staircase leading to the floor
above and making square turn to the left
at distance of half way. The lobby at
this time was filled with an immense
crowd of legislators, visitors and members
of the third house, smoking, talking.
laughing, telling stories and discussing the
senatorial contest. The number was prob
ably 500. When Representative Meany
appeared on the middle landing of the
staircase overlooking the lobby, holding in
his left hand paper, extending his right
arm over the crowd and commanding ST.
lence the hum of conversation ceased and
the crowd expectantly waited to hear what
he had to say. Mr.. Meany began as fol-
lows:
Republican members OF the legislature of
Washington: / have in my hand call for
caucus to be held at the capitol tonight, and
signed by ffty-six Republican members of the
legislature. 1t is a call of Republican members,
and their names are here appended. The call is
as follows:
We the undersigned Republican members
of the legislature of the state of Washington,
assembled at Olympia, appreciating the grave
responsibilities. both national and state, resting
upon US at this juncture and believing il TO be
our duty TO make all personal and local con-
siderations second TO the interests OF the
Republican party, and believing also that those
interests will be best promoted by harmony
among its members, and recognizing the fact
that the general practice of that party through
out the Union is in consonanee with the funda-
mental principle OF Republicanism that the ma
iority shall rule, agree to join in a caucus of Re-
publican members of the Senate aud House OF
Representatives for the purpose OF nominating
candidate for senator, and pledge ourselves 10
support its choice, such caucus TO be held Mon
day evening, January 10, in the ball OF the
House OF Representatives, at o'clock.
Read the Names loudly called voice.
Here they are" responded Mr.. Meany,
quickly, and he began 10 read the follow
ing list:
shaw o'Seil, Van Houten, Preston, Clough,
Watt Hyde. Frink, Forrest, Dyer, Van dc VAN
ter, Rutter, Brock, Plummer, Wasson, Megler,
/ Yeomans, Bothell, Adams, Meany, Mcknight,
! De SteigueF, Lswton. Thalman, Walker, Parcell,
/ Reitz. Ready, Putney, Reinhsrdt, Yancy. Col
/ lins, Cushman. Jones, Frater. Berry, Kennedy,
| Metealfe, Parrish, Hunsaker, Hastings, Rags
dale, Hanson, NJ. Anderson, Painter. Arrasmith,
| Mckay, Wyman, ssIlee, g. T. Thompson, Kin
near. Young, Morse, Parkinson. Candy, Powell.
| By the time the orator had finished read
| ing the call and began the list OF the names
! the fi1If Significance of the move began to