The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-01-24
SEATTLE. TUESDAY,. JAN. -
THE SENATORIAL SITUATION.

When the twenty-ffth ballot was taken
yesterday by the legislature at Olympia
Representative Shade, of Pierce county,
in obedience, we assume. to pressure from
his factionai constituents, returned to his
original allegiance 10 Turner. There were
no other changes, and Senator Allen after
twenty-six ballots has 81 votes, or within
six of an election, or within one Of the high
estnum Der cast for him. The present situa-
ton ought not, in justice TO the expressed
will OF two-thirds Of the Republicans OF
the Legislature. 10 be longer maintained.
The great majority of the Republicans of
the state desire the reelection of Senator
Allen; there are no charges Of non-per-
formance of public duty alleged against
him; his personal purity and public abii-
ity are confessed on all sides; his election
IS opposed by suIlen, obstructive. fac
tlonal and sectional Republican minority,
who neither expect nor desire to elect
Judge Turner, but are only seeking to
take Senator Aliens scalp; to stake their
revenge in his political blood.
On the broad public grounds of the fn-
ture welfare Of the party; of the duty of
every loyal Republican to submit TO the
will Of the majority; of the personal ex-
cellence and public ability of their candi-
date, the argument is wholly with the sup
porters of Senator Allen. Not q single
sound public reason can be given for the
abandonment of Senator Allen, the choice
Of the majority, for Judge Turner, the
candidate of the minority. Senator Allen
is at least the peer of Judge Turner in
private worth, public and professional
ability; he is greatly his superior by vir-
tue of his valuable official experience and
influence at Washington City.
Senator Allen is the choice of large
majority OF the Republicans In the state;
the choice of two-thirds of the Repub-
licans in the legislature. No sound public
reason can be urged for the withdrawal OF
Allen I'm favor Of Turner, the minority
candidate. while every reason of sound
public policy and party welfare pleads for
the withdrawal Of Judge Turner and the
election of Allen. The strength of the
position Is clearly with Senator Allen, and
by virtue Of 1t be will surely win if his
supporters stand fast. II the obstructive
Republican minority are determined to
continue to defy the will of the majority
and to delay the business Of the session in
order to satisfy their private resentments,
their factional and sectional revenges, the
deadlock can be maintained, and upon
them, not upon the Allen Republican
majority, will rest the responsibility for
this outrage upon the people of Wash
ington.
The friends of Senator Allen are right
in a public sense in their resolute de-
termination not to submit to an ilegiti-
mate and unjust effort to defeat the choice
of the people. and they are capable of
quite as resoiute endurance of deadlock,
tor which they cannot be justly held re-
sponsible, as the opposition. AS much
can be endured for Allen and public right
rs for Turner and gross public wrong. The
Allen Republican majority can afford 10
resoiutely maintain their stand. for they
are fighting FOR a just principles; for n
sound precedent in party methods for the
future. II sullen, obstructive party
minority is heuceforth TO refuse 10 submit
10 the majority and endeavor 10 defeat the
choice of the people by the pressure of a
wearisome deadlock We might as well
fight out this battle to n finish first as last.
The friends of Senator Allen are ready
for this test of political endurance; they
can stay "a long with Aler and public
right as the opposition can with Turner
and his outrageous.A sindictive ru,e-or-
rain tactics of obstruction.