The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-05-26
MIR. RUPERT DID IT.
Manipulated the Port Towns
end Chamber of Commerce.
IN THE INTEREST OF TACOMA.
The Chamber Is Thoroughly Dead Now,
So 1t Can't Do Port Townsend
Any Further Injury.

WASHINGTON CITY, May Ex-senator AL
lison today introduced another remon-
STRANGE from the Chamber of Commerce
Of Port Townsend, Wash, giving reasons
why no appropriations should be made for
coast defense vessels for Puget sound
or for the construction of a ship
canal from Lake Washington to the
Sound. In the first instance the re-
monstrance says land deienses are much
better than vessels could be, and much ex-
pert testimony is furnished to prove that
assertion. AS to the Lake Washington
canal it is charged that the project is not
intended for the benefit of the public; that
its utility is very much doubted, and that
it is only a scheme to revive land boom.
PORT TOWNSEND, May 25.-[ Special. i
The Port Townsend Chamber OF Commerce
has been dissolved. About a score Of reso-
Lutte citizens and heavy taxpayers who
have largely contributed to the cham
ber's support attended a meeting for
the express purpose of dissolvng that
organization. kilograms of Indignation
were received by several members this
afternoon relative to the alleged protest
OF the chamber against the govern
ment appropriations for coast defense
vessels and the construction of the ship
canal from Lake Washington to
Puget sound, which was presented in the
United States Senate today by Senator
Allison. The members have been consid-
erably agitated regarding the protest first
adopted by the chamber in this matter,
and today's development abruptly termi-
mated the life of the chamber.
1t appears that few weeks ago at
Chamber Of Commerce meeting, when
nine persons were present, William F.
Rupert, formerly city editor of the Ia
coma Ledger, and who is now
at Vancouver attending the Democratic
convention as delegate from Jeffer-
son county, strongly opposed indorsing
the memorial which urged the gov
eminent appropriations for coast defense
vessels, river improvements and opening
the canal between Lake Washington and
Puget sound, and which had been sent
down from Seattle for Endorsement.
Rupert argued that if coast defense ves-
sci was built it would be permanently
anchored at Seattle, the home of Washing
tons western senator, and that the canal
project was to employ Seattle's idle popu-
lation and enhance real estate specula-
tons. He charged connivery on the part
OF Washington's senator to discriminate
against Port Townsend in the interest of
Seattle.
He was followed by Captain John A.
Plum, secretary of the chamber. who en-
dorses Rupert's ideas, and added that his
experience at seafaring was enough to con-
vince him that the canal project was not
feasible; that it was a scheme to boom
Seattle.
Judge James G. Swan and DR.. B. Con.
over severely denounced and condemned
the attitude of Rupert and Plum and
stamped their remarks as narrow-minded.
partisan malice. The resolution
was carried by one or two
majority. Considerable indignation was
manifested at the action OF the chamber.
but no action was taken at subsequent
meeting to correct the errors, as it was
thought by majority that no attention
would be given to the resolutions by the
Senate.
The Posr-1NTELLIGEScER correspondent
interviewed several members of the cham
Der tonight, and not one could be
found, not even President Bart
lett, who remembered of any ex-
pert testimony being introduced at any
meeting of the chamber relative to the
Lake Washington canal. Secretary Plum.
who has charge of the minutes and records
of the chamber, could not be found.
Frank a. Bartlett, president of the
chamber, while not indorsing its ac-
ton, said in explanation that he believed
it was the intention of the chamber
that night to protest against appropria-
tons for the canal, coast defense vessel
and river improvements until an appro-
priation was tirst secured for the construc-
ton of coast fortiications If coast de-
lenses are ever built they will be con-
structed on the headlands near Port
Townsend.
He said that the action of the chamber
should not be recorded as a personal hos
tile act toward Seattle, bat that it was