The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-06
Survey of Senatorial Battle
Ground at Olympus.
GREAT eLuT OF POLITICIANS.
Mr.. Ewing, Of West Seattle, Confers
With Calkins, of 0costa.
Anything TO Beat Squire" Is the War
Cry of Tacoma, and There will Be
No Compunction About Throwing
CaIkins Overheard.


tracted to Olympia a large majority of the
members of the legislature which convenes
on Wednesday. The past three days have
been occupied by members in hunting for
rooms, or in establishing themselves in ho-
tells, the new Olympia and Carlton.
Headquarters have already been secured
for both Senators Squire and Mr.. Calkins
at the Olympia, and both were thronged
during the day by friends and supporters.
1t is very noticeable, however, that the
Squire men are heavily in the majority,
both among the legislators and members
of the third house. 1t is very clear that
Squire has long lead, and the only ques-
tion at this time seems to be as to the size
of his majority. Calkins' supporters are
extremely reticent and do not speak very
hopefully of the claims of the man from
Ocosta.
The legislature convenes on Wednesday
at 10 o'clock. The Senate will be called to
order by Governor Laughton, and the
House probably by the secretary of state.
The canvass for the speakership and presi-
dency of the Senate has begun. For the
former position there are three candidates,
Shaw of Clarke, Candy of Spokane and
Plummer of Jefferson, all members of the
last legislature. The situation has not as
yet assumed sufficiently tangible shape to
disclose who is in the lead. Candy claims
the united support of Eastern Washing
ton, and Plurnmer and Shaw are seeking
the votes of the party in Western Wash
ingtOn. Shaw has an enthusiastic local
following, and Plummer has. of course, the
Jefferson county delegation behind him.
The candidates for the presidency of the
Senate are Wilson of Kittitas, Thompson
of Pierce, Long of Lewis and Park
inson of Whatcom, while Hyde
of Spokane is being groomed AS
a dark horse. The chances are very largely
in favor of Wilson, whose services as
chairman of the late Republican
state central committee give him strong
prestige. C. NJ. Barton has so far no op-
position for secretary of the Senate. T.
G. Nicklin, of Whatcom, Fred III. Lysons,
of Snohomish, and w. E. Chandler. the
late assistant clerk of the last House, are
candidates for the chief clerkship. Sheriff
d. Z. Lesh, of Yakima, and s. H. Fried
lander, of Stevens, are in the race for SER
geant- of the lower House. The
number of aspirants for minor positions,
.clerkships, pages, ETC., is large and grow
ing.
All other questions are OF subordinate
interest to the senatorial fight. The situa-
ton is about as follows: There are LIZ
members of the legislature, of whom ninety
are Republican and twenty-five are Demo-
Gratis. 1t will be necessary for the sue
cessful candidate to receive fiftySeven
votes, a majority of all. If the Republic
ans hold a caucus there is no sort of doubt
that Squire ould be the nominee. There
fore the Calkins men will not go into a
caucus, but will insist upon an open fight,
depending upon the assistance of the
Democratic minority to create deadlock.
To be successful Squire must secure nifty
seven Republican votes, for no Democrat is
likely to vote for him. The policy of the
Calkins men will be obstructive, and
Squire must necessarily conduct an ag-
gressive campaign. Unless unexpected
complications arising ont of the election
of speaker, president of the Senate or
other important officers arise, Squire will
be reasonably certain of fifty-seven votes
on the first ballot. The election
does not occur until January 20,
and a great many things may
happen in that time. 1t looks now as
though the next fourteen days may wit
ness entire abandonment of the Calkins
campaign and desperate effort to make q
new combination to defeat Squire. 4fke
slogan of Pierce county is 'AaE<t1np
beat Squire and SsattkA - q, q zyrsf
impossible to give rs 9. eeslks
rate summaryo of - Aksfy to
vote for either < ASthis time
Squire ev;dently ~ o. 6fTty-iive votes
and Calxins fvxpts -hvel Counting the un-
certain M Hdo6btful for the latter. twill
be anerSssaty for the latter to gain nine
vxztrz i,ef1re he can make a combination
wSfh the Democrats efectual. No effort
IN III Spared between now and January
9o fok kecure the necessary number. The
frxer of the railroad influence is some
ZINES very great.
Governor Laughton has been working
almost night and day for over month
getting ready his message to the legisia-
ture. 1t is complete, and consists OF about
900 words Il found myself much em-
barrassed by the sudden manner III which
| was called upon TO assume the duties Of
the Office" said the governor today, but
I have done the very best | could. /" The
message will be submitted Thursday.
The leader of the Democratic minority
will he Goldman of Columbia, who made
a fine record In the constitutional conyen-
ton and who came near being the candi-
date for congress in place of /. c. Gritfitts
in 1s89. The Democrats will have inde-
pendent candidates for all offices, voting
~ Carroll for senator
An attempt is being made to involve the
sneakership contest with the senatorial
nght. The King county delegation Is dis
creetly holding aloof from any alliances
or entangiements, considering that pro-
nounced support for any candidate as a
delegation would be detrimental to Senator
souire,s interests. The report was Wig
oropslv circulated during the day that
Senator Rutter had his coat of working
for Candy. but the senator denies emphat-
icaIIy that he has expressed preference
for anyone. Each of the prominent can
didates was seen tonight and asked as TO
his chances. All refused 70 make specinc
claim though Shaw remarked facetiousiy,
s.f,andv is certain he has it, Piummer is
more than certain, and Shaw don't know"
Ii is anybody's race as yet Ii Is pretty
evident that Wilson will be the next presi-
dent of the Senate Long of Lewis, bis
most formidable rival, arrived tonight and
denied that ne is q candidate or ever was.
The scene in the lobby of the Olympia
os..- = ssi af5S 81 ss7 y AZ Sd
general dealers IN