The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-10-30
EXPRESSIONS REGARDING THE CA
NAL.

Those who insist that the Lake Wash
ington canal should not be made in any
sense political factor should read the
platforms adopted by conventions of the
different parties in the state and in the
counties of King and Pierce.
In King county there was q practical
unanimity of sentiment in regard to the
canal question. The county conventions
of both of the great parties warmly ap.
proved the construction of the canal. It
was when the state conventions were
reached that a divergence of opinion De-
came apparent. The Republican party in
its state convention Endorsed the canal in
common with other Improvements of the
state in the following language:
Resolved That we recognize the Importance to
our people OF the improvement of our rivers and
haroors, and that We specially commend as
worthy OF the attention 4 congress, the Column
bia river, the harpors of the Pacific coast and of
Puget ,ound, and a ship canal con Getting Puget
sound with Lake Washington; that we contenn
the action OF the Democratic House OF Repre-
sentatives in refusing an appropriation for the
opening OF the Columbia river and the Lake
Washington ship cana. and that we most heart
lily approve the course of Senators Alien and
Squire and Representative Wilson in their ad-
vooacy OF those measures: that we are heartily
In favor of a speedy opening to settlement OF
the Puyallup and other Indian reservations
witain the state.
The Democratic convention brought the
canal forward as q prominent political
factor by singing it out for condemnation
from among the various Improvements
suggested within the state. The resolu-
ton which the Democratic convention
passed is as follows:
We strongly condemn the course OF Senators
Allen and Squire in advocating appropriations
for the Lake Washington ship canal to the ex
clusion of needed appropriations for tine neces-
sary improvement of our rivers and harbors
When the Pierce county conventions
met, the unanimity of opinion against the
canal was apparently as strong as that of
King county in its favor. The Republican
convention adopted the following plank:
We, the Republicans OF Pierce county, in con-
venton assembled, do HEREBY reatfrm aud de-
clare allegiance to the principles OF the Repub-
lcan party. We indorse and commend the
Platform and principles promulgated at the
Minneapolis convention We also indorse and
approve the state Repu bican platform, except
that part of the fifth article referring to and in
dorsing the Lake Washington canal, aud TO
that portion thereof we unhesiiatingy aud un.
equivocaly repGdiate and condemn 1t as local
and private scheme, and entitled TO no political
cons deration-
The Pierce county Democrats, not to be
outdone by their Republican friends,
promptly ranged themselves on the side
of the question to which their state con-
vention had committed their party. They
adopted plank in which they denounced
the canal in the most unmeasured terms.
Il IS as follows:
We hold that the same economic principles
govern national, state, county, municipal and
domestic affairs; that the policy openly aivo-
Gated 10y the Repu blican leaders OF this state of
the Federal government appropTiat pg millions
OF dollars for the construction OF the LaAe
Washington canal. not for public use such rs
making harbor for a city, but Tor the purpose
of making q city for q harb0r, gu the pretext
that the distribution OF so much Federal money
would be public benefit, would apply equally
as well TO our state, county aud city govern
ments. such doctrine. Whenever applied, is
contrary to public economy good government,
snd common honesty. 1t il Unlimited in its ap-
ptlcstlon. revolutionary In It's character. and II
pubic affairs are Entrusted to men who cham
pon such false notions our treasures will be
empted immedi atsiy and our government
speedily dissolved
So the lines on this question were drawn
in the state. The state organization of
the Republican party is for the canal The
state organization of the Democratic
party Is against IL. In Pierce county both
The Republicans and Democrats have de-
cared against it, and there is every reason
L
solved; that IS to say. they will oppose the
Republican state ticket, In King county
both parties have declared in favor OF the
CANA. The only way by which a vote
carrying out these resolutions can be cast
Is 10 cast it for the Republican state ticket.
Il remains TO be seen whether tie Demo-
Gratis OF King county will stand by their
homes and their interests when they are
thus ASA led. We think they will.