The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-08-28
KING AND THE CANAL.
Seattle Democrats Defy Their
State Convention.
WILL STAND BY THE COUNTY.
A General Movement to Vote for the
Republican Ticket-The Bolt
IN Open One.

Gratis to a man are hot with anger for the
singing blow In the face administered to
King county by the Democratic state con-
venton. The fact that the Republican
convention distinctly approved the move
ment for building the Lake Washington
canal, while the Democratic, at the
benest of Pierce county, unequivocaily
and bitterly denounced the enterprise, is
clearly impressed upon the mind of every
man in the county, and everyone resents
the outrage.
The leading Democrats make no pre-
tense of loyalty to the state ticket. The
state Democracy, they say. SO far as 1t
represents any principle in this contest,
stands for the un-Democratic idea of hos
tility to single community, and that
principle no Democrat in King county
can indorse. The convention adopted the
anti-canai plank not because anyone be-
lieved it honest or just to at
tack King, but because the scheme
seemed good one for getting
Democratic votes In Pierce county. The
promoters of the anti-canal plank never
for moment pretended that the resolu-
ton was anything more than bit of the
cheapest and dirtiest political expediency.
The only plea put forward for the Demo
cratic state ticket is that if the candidates
do not get a good vote King county will
have small delegation in the next
state convention. But against this
argument is urged the fact that if
the ticket is numerically slaughtered
now, then the state will be more than
ready to offer any reasonable concession
TO win back the support of the strongest
and most populous county in the state.
Yesterday knots of men were gathered
on all the street corners discussing the sit
uation. The Republicans, while as Seattle
men they resented the action of the DEM
Ocratic convention, were none the less
pleased 1T the certainty of Republican
success, not only in the county. but in
the state. Judge J. K. Lewis said: "Well,
the work of the week has settled the ques-
ton whether Oregon is going to run poll
tics here, and turn the state of Washing
ton against its own leading city. McGraw
will have majority of from 1000 to 10000
in the county, and probably 10000 in the
state. The Democrats have saved us the
trouble of making hard fight in King
county,"
The members Of the Peoples party are
trying to draw consolation from the war
in the ranks of the Democracy. They
argue. though on what ground it is hard
to see. that Lewis was defeated because he
was the friend OF workingmen and had
leaning toward the Peoples party, and
that now his supporters will come over in
droves to the third party. e. Clayson, one
of the greatest orators in the local
ranks Of the party-next to John
Z. Ennis put the case in this
way: Things. are coming our way. l
tell you they are looking mighty favorable
for the Peoples party. The action of the
Democracy has strengthened us, for a lot
Of Lewis supporters are coming over to
us. Much of Lewis strength was in the
labor unions, and all that will now come
to the Peoples party. Lewis is really a
Peoples party man, and that is why he
could not get the Democratic nominal
ton" A careful inquiry, however, failed
to discover a single Democrat or Lewis
supporter who was ready to declare him
self for the third party.
To find Democrat in Seattle willing to
acknowledge that he will vote his state
ticket and try to kill Seattle and the canal
was an impossbility. Most of them said
they would stick to Cleveland, but all of
them admitted that the universal knitting
of the state ticket made certain the loss
of both the national and the county can
didates.
There were plenty of execrations for the
King county men who went to the con-
vention to work against their own COM
munity and kill their own party here.
Those who in order to defeat James Ham,
ilton Lewis for governor lent their aid to
the passage of the anti-canal plank are
wreck passenger train and de-
stroy hundred lives in order
to kill the engineer. Two stories are being
passed around with much satisfaction
One is the remark that Franklin X. Lane,
chairman of the Pierce county delegation,
made at the close of the convention: "Of
course we mustered all the aid We could
to beat the canal but voice the feeling
Of every Pierce county delegate when |
say that words cannot express my hearty
and undying contempt for the King
county men who have been arrayed here
against their own city"
The other story is that when the anti
canal plank was carried, an anti-Lewis
man of Seattle asked for an Introduction
to that bluff and unyielding fighter from
Pierce county, Stephen Judson. The Sc
attic man began saying, Il want to con-
graduate you on your success" when
Judson broke in, II don't care to talk to
you; don't want to know you; | don't
associate with people of your kind. l am
here from Pierce county. fighting for
Pierce. but you. though here from King,
are traitor to her."
Those at the convention believe that
King lost the fight on Wednesday night
when III. ]. Snively, who as chairman of
the committee on resolutions had charge
of the compromise plank, moved for an
adjournment before a final vote was
taken adopting the plank. In the morn
ing Pierce rallied her forces and nut
through an anti-canal plank and King
| county was robbed OF even the benefit from
| the compromise Snively atterward re-
| ceived the nomination for governor. and
! in the minds OF many the two events are
| connected.
The opinion Is unanimous that the King
| county men who won the most glory are
| James Hamilton Lewis, J. T. Ronald and
| l.. c. Gilman. Lewis has the credit
! Of refusing the nomination for governor
IN order 10 stand by King county;
| and Ronald for the same reason declined
! the nomination for congress offered him
| by reclamation. Mr.. Ronald also made q
| fine speech IN the battle for the canal on
/ Thursday, and IN that memorable struggle
/ l.. G. Gilman showed himself a speaker Of
| great force. and q brilliant and gallant
| leader.
| Mayor Ronald is ut his posi- again. He
Is not disposed to talk much about the
| Democratic convention or the political