The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-02-22
RULE or THE MAJORITY
Leaders Of al Parties Agree
That It Is Good Politics.
DANGER IN FAcTioNAL FIGHTS.
The Views Of United States Senators
on the Olympia Deadlock.
DANGER IN FAcT,oNAL FIGHTS.
President Harrison Signs the Pacific
Reserve Proclama atlon-The Gold TX.
ports Due to scheme Of Bankers to
secure Government Bond Issue.

WASHINGTON CIrY. Feb 2l.-fSpecial. J.
Since the news was flashed over the wires
from North Dakota to Washington City to
the effect that the Republican legislature
had elected Democrat for United States
senator, a great deal of indignation has
been aroused .among prominent Repub-
lican politicians. This is especially true
in the senate, where the purpose of every
Republican is. and always has been, to
allow the majority to rule. The outcome
in North Dakota has thoroughly drawn
the attention of every one here to the
senatorial fight in progress at Olympia.
Some fears are expressed among Rerub-
iican senators as we'll as others that there
is possible danger that the bullheaded-
ness OF the minority of the Republicans
IN the Washington state legislature may
yet give the senatorship to the Democrats.
or to the anti-Republicans. This phase
OF the question has been discussed infor-
mally by the Republican senatorial steer.
ing committee, and many of the members
expressed anxiety lest the outcome at
Olympia might send another anti-Repub-
lican to the senate in the place Of 80 ex-
to be by his colleagues.
AnChC 10 OuS OuO VSAuiOu Ou tu0 hSVuO.
lican side in connection with the outcome
in North Dakota and of the situation at
Olympia, and that is that the majority
voting in the Republican caucus should
be allowed to have its choice ratified by
the Republican legislature on joint ballot.
The PosT-INTELLIGENcER correspondent
saw Senator Washhurn, of Minnesota.
this afternoon, and asked him his opinion
regarding the question as to whether the
majority should not rule in a case like
that at Olympia. The senator said:
hold to the opinion and always have that In
q case where a candidate has . clear majority Of
all the votes OF either marty In the legislature Il
10 outrageous for the minority to prevent the
election of the candidate chosen by the major
ity. Thatthe majority should rule IL Repub-
lfcan doctrine. and, as this 10 an established
fact. every goo; party man, no matter what his
political Affiliations may be. will bear me out in
this assertion. As l understand 10. the situa-
ton at Olympia is that Senator Allen at one
time only lacked FIVE or six votes OF . majority
on joint ballot The strongest Republican op-
ponent, according to tie dispatches have
seen, never had to exceed twenty -four
or twenty-six votes. This would give
Mr. Allen. who u the undoub.ed choice OF the
Republican party. msjorty Of two to ona It.
Is not only unfair 70 Mr. AAen that this dead,
AuC1 soOuAo uCueAnu0 SHu0 o1xCON1StHucGb,
but It would be unfair to any man in like posi-
ton. OF course, know nothing whatever
about the situation A. 1t now exists at Olympia,
but it seems certain to me that Mr.. Allen has
held nearly the solid vote of the Republicans
of the legislature for SO long period that he 10
entitled to an election. 1t seems to me to be
unfair to him. and not good party action, to
have delayed his election this long.
Senator Hansbrough, of North Dakota,
- - ,>l~i e
the outcome of the senatorial fight in hrs
state. 1t will be remembered that the
Republicans Of North Dakota had a ma
jority of thirteen votes on joint ballot,
and yet, after an unseemly conflict. last
ing several weeks, enough of these Repub-
licans voted for Democrat to elect him.
Several candidates secured a majority of
the Republican votes in different caucuses.
but none of them were able to hold them
in line, as has been the case with Mr.. Allen
at Olympia. Senator Hansbrough. like
Senator Washburn. believes that majority
rules should prevail in any party caucus.
He does not believe that the minority, as
has been the case in his state. should have
the right to wreck the party by electing q
Democrat to the United States senate
when the Republicans have a clear major
ity. In speaking of the situation at
Olympia, Mr.. Hansbrough said that all he
cared to say was that if any man had
clear majority of the Republican votes, he
was entitled to the election. He believed
there was danger in any other action.
Senator Pettigrew. of South Dakota, is
another man who believes that the major
ity should rule in party matters. The
South Dakota senator is a clear cut and
able politician. and Republican. to the
backbone He believes in caucus action.
and, further, holds to the opinion that a
good party man will abide by the will of
the majority.
Senator Davis. of Minnesota. realizes
full we'll that he was near the danger line
when he was up for reelection, because
several Republicans in the legislature in
that state attempted to bolt the Republi.
can caucus. The result was that he barely
succeeded in securing reelection. There
is no man who has considered the cases
in Minnesota, North Dakota or Washing
ingtou states who does not believe that il
is exceedingly dangerous to party in
terests for a small minority to stand up
and prevent the ultimate selection of
the party nominee IN any contest
of this kind. 1t goes without saying that
such prominent leaders as Senator'S Quay.
Allison. Hoar, Hiscock. Plat and Proctor,
on the Republican side, and Brice. Cor
man, Mills, Mcpherson, Gray and Others.
on the Democratic side. believe that it is
politics and in the interests of party or
ganization to permit the majority 10 rule
on contests when the party in the future
is likely to be injured by failure to support
the current nominees.
Senator Aliens friends on the Repub.
lican side of the senate do not. of course
believe that he is yet in any danger. and
are hoping that those opposing him in the
legislature will yet find it 20 the interests
OF the party to vote for him. thereby assur-
ing his return TO the senate Senator AL
lens course il defending not only his own
personal interests. but the interest of the
Republican party III remaining st Olympia
TO carry out the desires OF a great majority
of the Republican voters OF his state. is
commented on ali sides.