The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-10-30
M'GRAW AND THE CANAL.
SEATTLE Oct " 1907


To THE EDITOR: am frequently confronted
by both Populists and Democrats with the argu-
ment that 1--WE are in favor of the canal, but
how is a vote for McGraw going to aid the
building OF the canal?"
This arrument has all the appearance of
plausibility, since 1t certainly 10 true that the
governor of the state has vote upon the ap-
preparation OF money, which is the main factor
towards the building Of the canal Yet closer
Investigation will convince one that the defeat
OF McGraw means the absolute defeat of the
canal. In the event OF McGraw's defeat, the
enemies OF King county, led by Mr.. Bennett
and his Tacoma contingent will go to congress,
before which an appropriation bill for the con-
struction OF the canal is now pending, and say:
"Mr. McGraw is recognized as one OF the lead
ing and most popular Republicans in the state
OF Washington. His defeat can, by no process
of reasoning, be construed as q personal defeat
He was defeated because the state OF Washing
ton repudiated the canal. In other words, our
people in the state OF Washington do not want
the canal"
And we mast admit that such an argument
would be mos: powerful. just as much as the
election OF McGraw will be an unanswerable
argument in the hands of King county and its
friends that the state OF Washington wishes the
building OF the canal Looking at it in this
light it must be admitted by all reasonable men
that this is the only question confronting us 30
i.
for one, fail to see why any one who is wiling
that the general government should build the
canal, sh Iuld vote against McGraw.
Mr.. Nelson Bennett looks at the matter pre-
cisely in the view herein presented At
meeting last Monday in Tacoma he stated that
the plank in the Republican state platform
which Endorsed the canal is not as bitter to him
as a statement made by MoGraw recently at a
meeting in ABERDEEN, Lewis county At that
meeting. and was present at the time, Mr.. Nc
Graw said 81 am informed that there are Re.
rubiicans here who will vote against the Re-
publican state ticket on account OF the CANA
If there be such l wish them TO understand
that l am as much responsible for the canal
plank in our platform as Is any one else. And
If their conscience dictates to them to vote
against me because of the canal, good and we'll.
But beg OF them not to vote against the state
ticket as a whole" Mr.. Bennett CONSTITUTES this
manly sentence hurl of defiance And for
that reason he (BsnnetD leaves no stone un.
turned, resorts 10 methods never before known
in political campaigns-and all, not because he
has any opposition TO McGraw personally but
because McCraw embodies an idea. This Is
plain talk, but incontrovertbla And II there
Is man in King county who is opposed to the
building of the canal. then it would be folly
for him to vote for McGrsw. On the other
hand. every one, respective of politics, who is
in favor OF the canal and its consequent: bene-
fits, is in duty bound to vote for McGraw.
No amount OF argument can possibly
strengthen or weaken the pos ton herein taken
Ii simply narrows Itself down to this one propo-
sition: II McGraw is defeated 10 will be taken
"a Reputation OF the canal by the state OF
Washington ii he is elected II will be taken as
al Endorsement
Eastern papers that are entirely unbiased,
and which, as q rule, are the authority for all
congressman of the nited States recognize the
fact that the leading issue In the state OF Wash
ington is the canal. And ii Is conceded by all
that this coming election will decide the late of
the canal, for = time at least. Certainly grant
that meritorious Improvements are finally
made, and believing the canal to DO merltort-
Gus, fully admit that even in the event OF
McGraw's defeat the ca7al will ultimately be
built But when Is the question.
AT presen, King county's labor for the last
fifteen years has reached the point OF ripenlng
The senate has passed an appropriation, and in
the house such a bill Is now pending Elect
McGraw aud work on the canal vii undoubtedly
commence before the LIST OF next May Defeat
him and ii means the waiting for the mex,
twenty years ABB SPRING.