The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-10-06
THE FACTIONS AGREE.
Pierce County Republicans
Make Concessions to Bennett.
TO PRevENTAB BOLT MOVEMENT.
Fremont Campbell Withdraw, and
Two Of Benefits Partisans Beaten
The "Ditch" Disapproved.

TACOMA, Oct. 5.-TSpecial. LII Judge
Fremont Campbell had been nominated
by the Pierce county Republican conven-
ton today the Bennett faction would have
bolted the ticket. Therefore Campbell's
candidacy was not pressed. In
the interest of harmony the anti
Bennett faction refused to pre-
cipitate split IN the party. An indi-
vidual was sacrificed in the interest Of the
party at large. Campbell's friends simply
''iaid down." They offered no objection
to the Bennett men organizing the con-
vention and offered no opposition to
w. II. Calkins being named as chairman,
with the understanding that he would
be unbiased. He proved fully equal
to the occasion, and facilitated
business in every manner possible. In
not pressing Campbell's candidate the
anti-Bennett faction expected that the
Bennett faction would insist only on an
anti-canal resolution in the platform,
otherwise the Republican national and
state platforms were to be Endorsed.
This plan was carried out. The
resolutions of the twenty-five dis
senters who had prepared resolutions
ton resolutions on the same subject, de-
nouncing the Republican party collect
lively and individually, were given no con-
sideration whatever. Under the circum-
stances all pride of opinion on the part of
the anti Bennett men was smothered.
Also, under the circumstances, the Benz
nett faction can do nothing less than to
give hearty support to the ticket.
Hztl r.
in supporting the ticket with all their
strength. This is exactly and precisely
what the Democrats Of Pierce county did
not want. They were on hand urging
every Bennett and anti-Bennett man to
pitch into . factional fight, hold
two conventions and make the fur
fly generally. In fairness it must be said
there were some on both sides who wished
to act upon such suggestions. Wiser coun-
sells saved them from playing into the
hands of the common enemy. On the
whole the only mistake of the
convention appeared to be in not
seating both of the contesting
delegates from the Second precinct of the
Third ward, allowing half vote for each
delegate. Instead, for the purpose of
weakening the senatorial strength of
Morris Gross, q popular young business
man, the committee on credentials threw
out the entire precinct, knowing full
well that it was one of the most
earnest anti-Bennett delegation in the
county. No purpose was served by this
procedure. If the influence of cool heads
had not been exerted at this time such
wanton action might have brought
on trouble. But having committed
themselves to the course adopted,
the anti-Bennett men stood firm.
AS heretofore stated In tho PosT-IyrELII-
sEScER, they would not bolt. At the
opening of the convention it was shown
by the votes taken that the forces were
evenly divided. Benefits personal fol-
lowing, coupled with various anti-dele-
gates, gave those with whom he stood near
ly If not quite half of the delegation. The
proposition to conduct primaries hereafter
under the Australian system was enthusi-
astically received. The nominations made
were heartily approved, and unanimous
supported, barring the assent Of q few who
will probably come to theic senses in day
or two, was assured.
Barring sacrificing Campbell, the anti
Bennett men were given all they asked at
the hands of the convention. An effort
was made to divide the honors evenly.
No straining was necessary ty bring sup
port to those who sacrificed Campbell. The
anti-Bennett men, however, did not at
tempt to grasp all that was conceded to
them. The conventions work was OBJ
structed by great number of candidates,
which necessitated repeated calls of the
roll At midnight only trifle over half
the work was accomplished. After that
hour business was rushed. as all of the
positions had been fully canvassed.
In order that there may be no misunder-
standing regarding the statements made
in the Posr-INTELLrGESCER to the effect
that today's convention was absolutely
anti-Bennett. when he and the
Ledger are considered without refer
ence TO local anti-Lake Washington
and on other anti-predudices, one in
stance Is here cited. L. +. Sampson,
at present county commissioner,
was supported by Bennett and the
Ledger for assessor. Above all other
candidates in the county Simpson was
Benefits and the Ledger's candidate. This
is admitted. Both Bennett and the Ledqer
have proclaimed it. Bennett made per-
sond fight for Sampson. Sampson
was defeated on square con-
test of rs to pos. Even when
IL was manifest that J. w. Kennedy
would be nominated, Benefits following
refused 10 allow his nomination by accia-
nation. This. it was feared by some
of Kennedy's friends, would de-
feat him. Ii did not. BENEFITS
strength under the circumstances was
greater than il otherwise would have been.
Undoubtedly X was greater than il would
have been on Campbell if his candidacy
had been pressed. Bennett could not even
hold his own precinct together for Samp-
son.
Another illustration of the anti-B Bennett
character of the convention was furnished
by the defeat of Fred G. Plummer
for county surveyor. Those who
still doubted, after Sampson was turned
down agreed that. if Plummer was. de-
featei it indicated BENEFITS weakness.
The result was: Piummer IL, Cyrus 70 \.
r. Wood 233. These are bn. two
Of many similar eases. As for the
bar nominations, that proposition would
have carried with greater acclaim If Ben
nett had not favored il. II was bound TO
carry anyway, Just as soon as Campbell
was nos forced before the conven-
ton. Had the friends Of Campbell
been given the naming of the county
ticket they could not have consistently
asked for ha.t "a many nominees
a. gravitated into their laps.
At I:So q. ia. the drowsy delegates
were aroused by mereiTaent caused by
placing Nelson Bennett. u. Z. Ti;low. ".
ii. Ca.kins. II. c. Clemens, John I. Ray
naond and John Gonna in nomination Tor
county wTeekmaSter. Gonna won.