, 1892-08-24
CONVENTION
Opened With Prayer by Rev.
c. l. DiYen.
ALL READY FOR HEAVY WORK
TONIGHT.
Senator EShelman the Tempo
Tary Chairman.
COMBINATIONS FOR AND
AGAINST LEWIS.
What the BlalOck and Shaw Men Say.
A Determined Fight Against
the Seattle Canal.

the Seattle Canal.
By O'Clock this morning most of the
political chess players among the delegates
to the democratic state convention, had
assembled in the rotunda of the Olympia
hotel, in prime condition for almost any
kind Of a combination. Some Of them had
been out until the meridian hour of the
preceding night, but that didn't seem to
make any difference. Tokens of brotherly
love abounded on all sides, in the form of
cordial handshaking and whispered con
fdences.
Great pillars in the democracy of Wash
ington moved about serenely, with supple
spinal columns and ready tongues, stopping
now and then to exchange courtesies with
humble brethren from the rural districts.
Democracy, as defined by Noah Webster,
had for the moment placed plebian and
patrician on a common level. Above the
perpetual buzz of conversation and iangle
of frequent outbursts of laughter, loud and
hearty, arose the doleful strains of an
accordeon, under tine personal manage
ment of a tourist, in front of
the hotel. A thoughtful-looking indi-
yidual, with heavy shoes, circulated
among the delegates, offering for sale a
combined cane and flagstaff, especially de-
signed for political demonstrations. He
also had buttons for sale, but the delegates
were too busily engaged in contemplating
the Lewis combination and the possibility
ofa "slip between the cup and the lip"
How does the situation stand now 2'
was asked ofa delegate.
"Oh, our mans goin' 10 get there" ne
replied, leisurely lighting a cigar.
"Who is your man2"
"Lewis."
$50 YOU think you have asure thing2"
"Yes, of course; d-n it; why not give
the young man chance"
He slapped the reporter on the shoulder
with a newspaper and hurried away to join
some fellow delegates who had assembled
from the regions below
At $3.50 the situation was practically un-
changed, both sides claiming to have mat
ters in the proper shape for victory
Opponents Of James Hamilton Lewis as
serted that they could control over 200 votes
that would insure the nomination of Car
roll and Goodman for congress and either
Colonel Shaw or DR.. Blalock for governor.
This, they claimed would down the en-
dorsement Of the canal scheme and place
the democracy in commendable attitude
before the voters of the state. Those inter-
ested in the success of Colonel Lewis an
nounced at tclosing time last night that they
would be able to control the votes Of Clal-
lam 9, Columbia 9, Island a. Jefferson 8,
King 30, Ktttas IL, Kitsap g. Lincoln IL,
San Juan A, Snohomish 10, Skagit 10, Spo-
kane q, Stevens 7, Whatcom 13, Yakima 7;
total, 164.
Those opposed to the nomination of
Lewis boldly claimed Pierce 81 southeast
ern Washington, 55; southwestern Wash
ington 76, and 85 scattering from the coun-
ties ofSkagit, Snohomish, Whatcom, ISL
and, Okanogan and Lincoln.
The change Of perhaps one or two
counties meant the breaking down of sew
eral rods of fencing for somebody.
An uneasy feeling was manifest this
morning, plainly indicating that none Of
the combinations we're so securely cement
ed together. Chairmen of delegations hur
ried hither and thither, announcing meet
ings and urging their men to "comt
along
Southwestern Washington delegates
were hurried together, evidently for tn,
purpose Of considering new scheme o.
putting a new face on an old one.
Shohomish men were stirred up anC
brought to the front, and inside of half al
hour official and unofficial caucuses wer
in progress in all parts of the hotel. Th
first impression made by the hurrying t.
and fro was that about two-thirds of tn
delegates didn't know what they wanted
and the second was that they didn't know
how to get it.
at is the story of dude and a ditch,
commented an observing delegate who pre-
ferred to be seen and not heard. "Kin
county is determined to have the cana
scheme endorsed or make somebody suffe
for it. I see that Lewis claims to hav
been offered the support of the Pierce dele
cation if he would yield the canal quei
ton. He'll never do that and it will tax
some fine playing to get enough disintel
ested delegates to carry him over the il
dignation Of those who think Seattle
asking too much"
The demonstration at the hotel last nigt
when the Thurston county democrat
! club rendered all the delegations a serenad
was looked upon this morning by the Lev
is men as an indication of preference f,
that gentleman as the democratic choi,
for governor, but the Thurston club men
bers say it was not for Lew
or any other candidate. tt
speeches for that occasion were in read
ness when the Capital City band appeare
in the hotel rotunda and began to rend
patriotic airs. Enthusiasm began to bul
BILE over and when the musicians stopp,
for a supply Of breath. Lewis WI
J. vociferouslE called out. When the a
Plsuse had subsided he mounted q tab