The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-06-21
DIsTRusrFUL DEMOCRACY.

Out of their own mouths there is flow
ing abundant testimony that the Demo-
cratic brethren have no faith the one in
the other, and that the rival factions re-
gard each other with suspicion and dis
trust. This has been conspicuously shown
in recent discussions concerning the place
for holding their next national conven-
ton.
A short time ago it was given out that
Senator Brice, chairman of their national
committee, had expressed preference for
New York as the most suitable place for
the convention. Therefore the st. Louis
Republic read him severe lecture, attrib-
uting the expression of preference to the
inspiration of Governor Hill, and declar-
ing that wherever else the conclave might
meet it must not be in New York.
And the Cleveland cohorts all along the
line united in decrying the New York
idea and in seconding the Republics re-
monstrance. A convention in New York,
they protest, would be under the auspices
of Tammany and its galleries and sur
roundings would be packed ''by the pecu-
liar strata of society that makes the bone
and sinew of Tammany," which one of
their Mugwump allies has characterized as
composed of "roughs, toughs, pickpock-
cts, vagabonds" and by other like and I'M
savory epithets.
Suggestions favorable to San Francisco
have been opposed-the opposition origin
ating at the national capital-on grounds
no more complimentary to the elements
that will compose the convention; no less
distrustful that the convention will be as
sailed and captured by improper and
corrupt influences. 'If the conven-
ton wereheld in San Francisco"
say these critics, sit would be
largely composed ofproxies." Worse than
that, "San Francisco is three hours behind
the East in time" Such being the case,
..public sentiment could not be brought
into play to forestall and prevent contem-
plated jobbery"
Following this line of argument, atten-
ton has been called to the fact that when
it is but $50 A. NJ. in San Francisco it
will be noon in New York, and in case night
sessions were held what the conspirators
started out to do would have been effected"
before people east of the Rockies would
have received reports of the proceedings.
Here is broad confession that scoundrel-
ism is to be abprehended at either end of
the line, and that the delegates to the con-
vention will need guardians to protect
them against Democratic villainy wherever
they may meet.
But the argument against San Francisco
is equally good against any convention in
this western section for all time. A hun
dred years hence, or a thousand, it will
still be morning on this coast when
it is noon on the Atlantic. And
whether night sessions are held or day
sessions, the work will be done before it
can be accurately reported. Nor is it ap-
parent why actual delegates should be less
willing or proxies more willing to go
West than East. Nor is it apparent, as
these directors intimate, that s'public sem
timent" exists wholly and solely east of
the Rocky mountains.
The truth of the matter is, as these
newspapers and their correspondents well
know and tacitly admit, the party is desti-
tute of any high principle. broad policy or
lofty impulse, is concerned only about
spells, is unworthy of public confidence or
trust, and its conventions can only be re-
strained from disgraceful performances by
the maintenance of strictest surveillance.
Except on the ground of selecting the
point most cow nient to the greatest
number. il makes not one particle of differ
ence where the Republican convention
may be held. The party is willing to trust
its delegates wherever they may meet.