The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-02-19
NEARING THE END.

mo change" are the words that briefly
sum up the senatorial situation at Olym-
pia. The minority that have from the be-
ginning supported Judge Turner have
stubbornly maintained their position for
another week in spite of the indignation
of the people whom they are supposed to
represent. The legislature will remain in
session less than three weeks longer, and
the time is drawing near when a decision
must be reached. It therefore becomes of
interest to consider the contest in its
various phases and to speculate regarding
the possible results.
We have steadily adhered to the opinion
that the legislature would finally re-elect
Senator Allen. This opinion we see no
reason to change. There is absolutely no
objection that can be urged to him that
is entitled to consideration. He is a man
Of the highest ability, of unquestioned in
tegrity and the manifest choice not only
OF an overwhelming majority of the Re-
publican members of the legislature but
also of the people of the state. The oppo-
sition to him springs from coterie of dis
appointed, disgruntled politicians who
have stopped at nothing to prolong the
deadlock. Their hope has been that if
they could prevent an election until near
the end of the session, they could succeed
in breaking the Allen RANKS. As to the
means they have adopted to accomplish
their end, the less said the better. That
they have been thoroughly disreputable
Il f,,l 60
facts for a moment doubts.
Another powerful influence that has
been at work to prolong the deadlock has
been the Northern Pacific railroad. This
corporation has had a two-fold object in
view. First, to divert the attention of the
public and OF the legislature from railroad
legislation, and second, to prevent, if pos
sible. the election of Senator Allen. This
railroad influence has been the most potent
factor in the situation. There is power
full organization in Olympia that exists in
the interests of the railroads. This organ
ization has persistently and insidiously
worked against Senator Allen.
Senator Alien has at the present time
fifty-One votes. He needs six more to
elect. There have been more than this
number of members who have repeatedly
promised to change to his support. For
one reason or another they have up to this
time failed to do SO. 1t hardly seems
credible, however. that they will hesitate
much longer. They appreciate that Sena-
tor Allen is in the fight to stay and that
he cannot be defeated except by volun-
tary withdrawal. For Senator Allen to
Withdraw now is absolutely out of the
question. Were it simply personal mat
ter. with no principle involved, the situa-
tion would be different. He realizes. how
ever, that for him to withdraw now would
be to baseIy betray his party into the
hands of the band Of political pirates who
have determined to either control the Re-
publican party or to scut,le it. This he
will never consent to do.
The men who have had charge of the
anti-Alien campaign have deluded Judge
Turner. So far they have failed to deiude
any one else. They have steadily and per-
sistently made overtures to men of promi-
nence in the party, including a mum Der of
King county men, to give them twenty
Turner votes if they could gain any con-
siderable strength from the Allen forces.
They have secured the consent OF Judge
Turner to this scheme by pointing out to
him that the Allen force united was in.
vincible. Once divided however. they
argued that they might be beaten In detail.
Their plan has signaliy failed. Not a
man whom they have approached has been
deceived by their specious promises. It
is not probable that any one will be. So
far as their proifered support of King
county man is concerned, il is too ridicu-
lous for serious consideration. The idea of
Miles c. Moore, II. W. Fairweather. n. II.
Owings and the Tacoma Ledger combining
to elect another King county man to the
United States senate is preposterous The
people of King county know this and their
representatives in the legislature know il.
When they desire the aid and support of
the men and the paper mentioned they will
make their desire known. AT present they
have no need oft King county will remain
true TO herself and her traditions. She
will never betray the interests of friend
To crafty the malice of her enemies.
/ nder the circumstances, and with King
county loyal. there can be but one of two
results, either Senator Allen will be
elected or he will be appointed. The Re-
publican party will I've stronger in the
state If John h. Alien is the next senator
shan it could possibly be if he were sacri-
eei to the malice and hatred of the men
whose enmity he has incurred by his de-
'ot'on TO the Interests OF the people. ..