The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-02-05
The Spokane Leader Abandons
Turner's Lost Cause.
FROM SENSE OF PARTY DUTY.
The Other Members of the Spokane
Delegation Ready to Follow.
Only, Regardless of Effect ON the
Party, and His Own Followers See
It-Several Bills Get Through.

OLYMPIA, Feb. 4-TSpecial.l 1.-The change
OF Representative Ludden, of Spokane,
from Turner TO Allen today marked the
beginning of the end of the senatorial
contest. Mr.. Ludden, like most of the
other members of the Spokane delega-
ton, was convinced more than o week ago
that Turner's candidacy was an altogether
hopeless one and has since felt that the
minority was not only placing the Repub-
mean party in peril, but pursuing course
OF utter political folly, it having been fully
proven that Turner'S chance was gone. Mr..
Ludden believed. with many other friends
OF Turner, that he should withdraw and
permit his followers to put an end
to the dissension in the party ranks
by following the course of real
Republicans and cooperating with the
majority. Mr.. Ludden was under no obli-
cations to remain with Turner when it be-
came apparent that the latter had aban-
doned every desire in the contest except
the unworthy one of defeating Allen
and was endeavoring to use his sup
porters solely for that purpose. But though
1t was no longer q fight to elect q
Spokane man, bus to down Allen, no mat
ter who might win, Ludden continued
voting for Turner longer than any reason
able man could ask. His change today
was the result of determination to do
right by his party and to free himself from
the false position in which Turner had
placed his followers, in reckless disregard
of his party's welfare. No doubt the
course of Turner in the last few days had
much to do with precipitating Ludden's 8
action today.
The attempt of Turner to use his voting
strength as club with which to drive
Allen from the field, and the effort of the
Judge" to trade his followers to some un-
known third man without their con-
sent, was resented by Mr.. Ludden,
as it should have been by all
who have any independence of spirit.
Though the Reriew and the anything to
beat Allen" crowd in Turner's train will
denounce Ludden, he is assured of ap-
proval by the great majority of his con-
stituents. The proofs are rapidly multi
plying that the Republicans of Spokane are
becoming disgusted with Turner's recent
course, and that they are not in sympathy
with tine revengeful motives that now
alone govern him. The "rule or ruin"
scuttlers are endeavoring to discount the
hOSS Va A<uNNNh w oCCi0kiuk tuas hc udS
been actuated by desire to reward Senator
Allen, because the latter secured clerk
ship for relative of the former in the
Federal service. No one believes that
Ludden was influenced by any selfish in
terest. He is generally credited with hav-
ing acted from the purest of motives and
to have been inspired simply by desire to
do his duty as good Republican.
There is little criticism OF Ludden's
course by the other members of the Spo-
kane delegation. Most of them are in en-
tire accord with his views as to the stua-
ton, and are not unwilling to have Sena-
tor Allen win. The Spokane men who have
voted for Turner have been entirely loyal to
him, but they understand that the issue is
no longer one in which Spokane's inter-
ests are concerned, but to the extent that
Turner is able to shape it. is fight for
revenge. Undoubtedly Spokane will still
further aid in promoting party peace by
the election of the Republican nominee.
When Ludden rose today at the calling
of his name on the first ballot he
instantly monopolized attention. The
listlessness of the members and
spectators was changed to absorbing
interest in what the Spokane
member was about to say. All felt that
the reports of his disposition to change to
Allen were about to be verified. His tone
was most earnest one and every
sentence was a proof of his sincerity.
1t was clear that he was guided by strong
sense Of duty. He was listened
to throughout in absolute silence, for no
one wanted to miss a word, but when he
closed with the announcement of his vote
for Allen it was greeted with wild applause
and cheers, and President Luce felt called
upon to use his gavel vigorously in an at.
tempt to restore order.
Some of the Allen haters have been en-
deavoring to persuade John l.. Wilson to
enter the senatorial contest. but to quote
Turner again, This is not dark horse
year." and the state is not likely to be put
to the great expense of holding special
election for a successor to Mr.. Wilson.
Attorney-Generai Jones, who is here, is
also being groomed by the "last ditch"
anti-AiIen fellows, who are now desper-
ately striving to find candidate who can
draw more votes than Turner has.