The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-24
THE MANIFESTO OF THE GEN
ERALS.

The remarkable address to the people of
Washington issued by Nelson Bennett, II.
z. Houghton, Thomas Payne. w. 81. Doc
little, Miles c. Moore and Thomas Ewing.
the alleged managers of the collapsed
Calkins canvass, reads like page from
the score of comic opera. To the general
public 1t is meaningless procession of
high-sounding phrases. To one familiar
with the details of the recent canvass at
Olympia, it is a ridiculous attempt to re-
verse the truth, and TO fasten upon the
victors the faults of which the vanquished
know themselves to be guilty.
The Calkins canvass was, from its incep-
ton, based upon Misrepresentation and
corruption. When the legislature as
sembled at Olympia the Calkins managers
were on hand surrounded by such horde of
corruptionists, representatives Incorporate
power and disreputahle politicians, as the
commonwealth of Washington had never
before seen. From the beginning of the
active canvass no day passed without the
circulation of its own particular lie, no
hour passed without its story of attempt
cd corruption. The mismanagers of the
Calkins canvass called to their assistance
q band of detectives who bounded the
supporters of Senator Squire by night and
by day. No trick known TO politics, no
step however disreputable, seemed to the
supporters of Judge Calkins beyond the
pale Of legitimate political warfare. They
feared neither God nor man, neither pub
lie opinion nor the law, both of which
they shamelessiy violated.
As for the corruption to which they re-
sorted. the instance made public by Rep
resentatIve Metcalfe is but one. That it
was isolated "a solitary departure from
the angelic methods employed in all other
cases by such political purists as Bennett,
Clarke, Houghton, Payne and Ewing-no
sane man believes. 1t was in full keeping
with the canvass of which it was striking
incident.
As to the Misrepresentation, the willful
lie circulated during the absence of Sena-
tor Squire in Seattle is a fair instance. The
facts connected with this are well known.
Senator Squire was called 20 Seattle on
business. He left Olympia on Sunday
afternoon and returned on Tuesday MORN
ing. There was neither secrecy nor occa-
sion for secrecy in connection with
the trip. The Senator's movements
were well known and were fully
reported in the Seattle papers. Yet
in Olympia was circulated the infamous
lie that the Senator was confined In a
room in that city, suffering from an attack
of delirium tremens. This black and
baseless Islander was used to influence the
votes of legislators by at least one signer
of the manifesto of the generals long after
its falseness and its foulness we're known
10 all.
And these men, who refused 10 tolerate
the idea of caucus and did all within
their power 10 destroy party discipline,
read lecture TO the Republicans Of Wash
ington. These men, who link their names
to cause reeking with misrepresentation
and corruption, pirate of political purity to
the people Of Washington.
The canvass of Senator Squire was clean,
upright and honorable. Ii it was other
wise, let the manifesto-makers specify in
what respect. There has been enough of
vague destinations ana foul whispers. Ii
these purists know OF corruption. let them
point il OUT Ii they DO not know of il, let
them cease their malignant vilihcation of
those whose only offense is that they
thwarted bold ami determined effort 10
throttle the public sentiment of Washing
ton and 10 nullify the popular will.
The public may well wonder why these
manifestoes are issued, why these whines
issue from the threats OF the hirelings
and wo1sd-be henehciaries OF cause that
is lost. Why do these beaten plotters BY
broad insinUation attempt 10 fasten upon
others suspicious which are certainties
when applied 90 themselves Why do
they labor 70 convince the public Of their
purity, like harlot endeavoring 10 prove
her Chastity The public may well ask
these questions, and the answer is not
difficult 10 guess. The Calkins canvass is
not completed. Indeed, il has but
begun. Ii is safe prediction
that tao years hence Judge Cal
kins will be a candidate for the
seat occupied by Senator Allen, and
il is safe prediction that his alleged man
Sgers will then call 10 his assistance the
same corruption, misrepresentation. abuse,
violence and brutality which marked their
effor, 10 place their candidate in the seat
Of Senator Squire.
Enough of these ridiculous maRifestoes,
gEaced as they are with apt quotations sup
al.
Moore. Let them cease. Ii there are
charges 70 be made agains; Senator Squire
or his supporters, let the people know
what they are and on What they are based.
IL there are ne such charges, let this aooa