The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-08-25
PLANK FIVE.
ALKau, Whitman county, Aug. 10, 1892

ALKALI, Whitman county, Aug. 19, 1892
To THE EDITOR: A plain farmer and lifelong
Republican, desire to ask you or the editor OF
some other leading Republican paper the reason
of all this controversy about "plank s., In our
state Republican platform.
have read ana carefully studied the objec-
tionable "plank" aud fail to see therein any,
thing which authorizes such . storm of words
and tempest of vtuperation.
Had been a member of the state convention
at Olympia, perhaps, from motives OF harmony
only, should have voted for the majority re-
port on PLATFORM but am unable to see any just
cause for the vigorous onslaughts, such rs are
being made by so-cailed Republican papers
upon the plank" as adopted, in fact these at
tacks appear to me to be splenetic.
The "plank,' as read English, recognizes
the importance" OF all necessary internal i'm
provements and asks for federal aid. To be sure,
1t directs attention especially to the Columbia
river, the harbors and defcnses Of Puget sound,
the Lake Washington canal (placing the latter
lastS and then asks for the speedy opening OF
the Puyallup and other Indian reservations in
our state.
What is there in this specification to warrant
such flood OF abuse?
Vancouver, willapa, Port Townsend. Gray's
Harbor, Port Angeles, spokane-a!l parts OF the
state are included in the general terms of the
much derided "plank." II is broad and ample
and does cover the whole state. The name OF
Seattle does not appear, nor. in fact, does that of
Tacoma Is this latter omission the cause of
the intense hostility we notice as originating
from one particular, personal source? Repub-
licans all over the state are rlghtfully very dis
satisfied with any party leader who del berateiy
and without just cause manufactures clubs for
Democrats 10 use. "A secret foe is more TO be
dreaded than an open enemy"
When We think of the great personal interests
involved We are compelled 10 doubt the disn-
terestei nature OF the motives inducing these
attacks.
Any member Of party, It matters not how
rich or powerful, who assaults OF causes to be
griss is not brought directly TO his own mill is
not a true patriot.
Every principle Of party iealty or political 10y.
atty would seem TO demand that he should first
resign al positions OF trust and confidence in
that party, affiliate openly with tho opposition
orgo Of in party" By himself
am not politician or pretend 10 under
stand their o;tjmes peculiar and devious WAYS
bat 10 an everyday kind Of a Republican, one
who adherss TO that political faith from princi-
pie and not Tor gain or iucre. IL seems If these
attacks upon "pisnk ave- OF our platform, our
state convention, its nominees and the actions
OF the Pierce county delegation ara very repre-
heusi bic, If arising from a Repu blicau source
must then have their origin in seliishness, ana
a.so show al utter LACK OF q proper conception
of the duties OF partisaus regard for the " Il
OF the ma ority. entirely uuanticipaied or could
have teen expected from the quarter whence
this intense, angry opposition appears 10 origin
ate. REPUBLICAN,