The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-01-18
SEATTLE, WEDNESDAY,. jan. 4
THE sESAToRIAL CONTEST.


Olympia yesterday proved conclusively
that John B. Allen is the choice OF the
majority of the Republicans of Washing
ton. In the senate Mr.. Allen had fifteen
votes. against nine for Judge Turner.
Senator Sergeant, who was called away by
the burning of his mill, is sure to vote for
Allen, so that the Allen strength in the
senate lacks but two votes Of being double
that Of Judge Turner, while in the house
Alien has just double the strength of Tur-
ner and lacks but seven votes of clear
majority. Under these circumstances
there is no sound reason for further oppo-
sition TO the reelection OF Senator Allen.
Judge Turner has tested his siren 9Th fairly
in the legislature and Alien has beaten
him within his own party by two TO one In
both branches Of the Legislature.
The manly, patriotic course for Judge
Turner and his public-spirited friends
would be to Withdraw further opposition
- the clear preference Of his party, as ex-
pressed by its representatives in the legis-
iature, and consent TO the election of
Senator Allen. ANY less patriotic action
on the part of Judge Turner would be
grave political mistake, for if he persists
in allowing his name to be used to force
and maintain a deadlock. after the prefer
ence Of his party has been clearly mani
tested, he lends himself to the execution
of a policy fatal to all hope of party har-
mony for the future. In the vicissitudes
of state politics Judge Turner is likely to
be some day again urged by his friends for
preferment; if he bows to the expressed
preference Of his party today he
can fairly demand hereafter that he
be not made the object of factious
and sectional opposition should he secure
the majority Of the votes of his party in
the legislature. But If lie lends the use of
his name further as a flag, for the WORST
elements of personal warfare aud petty
strif, within the party, to follow he will
place himself in a false, impolitic and I'M
patriotic position. He will take the re-
sponsbility of creating the dangerous pre-
cedent Of factious and sectional resistance
to the rule of the majority within the
party, a weapon that can be used against
him with deadly effect in his subsequent
presentment as a candidate for high politi-
cal honors at the hands of the party
Judge Turner is in the prime of life; his
personal ability and private worth are
appreciated and acknowledged by his
party, but he has fairly tested his strength
against that of Senator Allen and he is
completely and fairly beaten. He can no
longer fairly permit the use of his name
TO perpetuate a deadlock that is at once an
economic injustice to the people of the
state and a grave and political blunder
from the standpoint Of sound party policy
for the future. Judge Turner's proper
course as a patriotic Republican is to
withdraw the further use of his name in
oppostio to Senator Allen. To do other
wise would be TO perpetuate false and
dangerous precedent which is certain to
be quoted against Judge Turner with
probably disastrous effect should he ever
again become q candidate for high public
office.
But assuming even that Judge 1ur-
ner intends 10 retire from the field
OF active politics he cannot afford
other than a condition of honorable
retirement: he cannot afford 10 sane
ton by the weight of his good name
and responsible public influence the per
petuation of policy that he does not need
TO he told must in the long run prove fatal
10 the harmonious action o! the party as
an influential and potential unit in is
subsequent battles for supremacy with the
opposition. Judge Turner cannot afford
10 be the tool o. 3 few party malcouients.
lnccnd,arios and disorEanlzers, who have
no uol!tlcs outside their passionate PER
sonal se!hshness and letty private spite, II
costly deadlock Is 10 re wantony inictei
upon the taxpayers 81 Washington, Judge
Turner can not afford rs Republican
leader and IoyAl soc der 10 share the guilt
al those who are reckless enough 10 he The
responsible agents and executives OF
tins utterly unjustiliab,e and unpatriotic
design.
Judge Turner can afford to be \ cor pr,i-
To- for the United States senate; but Judge
Turner can no; afford 20 become consyir-
stor against the future health. peace. har.
mony and success Of the Republican party.
one OF whose influential leaders and evan
relists he has been in the past and
doubtless hopes 10 he in the future.
The public-spirited friends Of Judge
Turner. who have thus far given
him their support, Will appreciate the
force Of this candid sppeal and we shall be
surprised If they continue to lend further
aid to the efforts OF few factious Renub-
hcans TO rsrpe;rate policy Of persona,
aud sectional warfare within the party for
the purpose Of defeating the viii Of the
majority Of .he party, who desire ;he re-
turn Of John h. Allen 10 the United States
senate.
A deadlock means an unjust, unneces-
sary and expensive halt in the business OF
n legislature. whose short session Of sixty
DAYS is not more than sufficient 10 discuss,
decide and enact legislation that is nsces-
cary and that the people have right 70
exncct will be enacted. II the time Of The
legislature Is wasted through needless
and unwarrantahle deadlock III the sen
atoriaI election the people viii suffer the
consequences n shape OF hAsty. iai-consid-