The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-03-18
their energetic friends. Here is . COM
posite King county opinion on the situa-

their energetic friends. Here is . COM
posite King county opinion on the situa-
ton:
We would willingly allow the state committee
70 indorse, IL nearly half of said committee 10
NOT collecting Offices for individual members
thereof or for friends of msmbers This COM
mittee, We are confident, has no favor for us.
We want some recognition for our candidates for
collector, Talbot and Marion especially. Ossran.
der has backing also for bank examiner and Gil
man for attorney. We viii not be disciplined
~ this commfttee-this campaign committee
It has NO right to discipline uA The people and
not this committee should have . voice in say.
ing who shail represent US In Federal Offices.
They twit US on not supporting the ticket last
iail In 1883 We favored Tom Carroll for
congress - King county's candidate be-
cause Tacoma had gone Democratic, and
as the convention announced that We
wanted nothing and would ask nothing
until We came before the state convention with
Seattle Democratic Last year We did come be-
fore the state convention with Seattle Demo-
cratic. and ii that convention had treated US de-
fall, aud Seattle would then have continued to
roll up Democratic majority. Because We
were not in line IL not our fault
Over dozen Seattle Democrats are rep.
resented in this composite opinion, and
some of them talked plainly to the effect
that the state committee was trying to
turn King county candidates down be-
cause Of their support Of Gov. McGraw
last fall. But here follows q Tacoma COM
posite opinion that throws stronger light
upon the scene:
An instant will suffice to decide this indorse-
ment question If the state committee was not
interested in itself and in putting itself in once
or Its immediate followers and supporters in
Office. II this committee represented its con.
stituencies il would decide quickly not to in
dorse. The state committee 10 not interested so
much In turning down Seattle candidates as it
10 In entrenching aud strengthening itself
Tor future political purposes. II 1t
can levy political toll, as Dave Hill used
to do in New York state, on every appointment.
It will be the boss of the state machinery and
power. This 10 tempting prise and 1t is with
reluctance that the committee releases it Its
acts are acts of amateurs. It proposes to give
no ONCE to Tacoma, because il expects to reap
big rewards In debating the governor, United
States senator and every other Office. But the
committee does not indorse. 1t cannot forcibly
hold up the Democratic party. and cause it to
serve 1t in this stata
Disruption is said to be the penalty if
the committee indorses. But the COM
mittee's side of the case reads different.
A committee composite opinion reads thus:
To maintain party organization and win slec.
tions and continue in power, there must be sys-
tenn and order. We. the representatives of the
whole party OF the state, are best qualified to
decide who should be appointed. We know
who will best serve the state and party also
We can best decide who should receive prefer.
ment now, and who should b. care taken OF
hereafter. Even If We do indorse. nobody
IL bound BY such Endorsement Candidates can
still be candidates.. but the administration 10
entitled to our honest views and our sincere CO.
operation. Who are they who oppose indorss-
ment? They are themselves candidates, and do
not want the state committee to indorse any.
body, fearing they will not be indorsed.
Saunders, it Is now said, has instructions
from Dan Lamont to see to it that nobody
is Endorsed for collector if he himself is
not. In other words, Saunders former
superiOrs in the White House wish to
favor him, but they ask that he come on
with the state committee Endorsement.
This weakens the argument of tho anti.
machine men who claim that Cleveland
does not want any advice from local
machines. Saunders has . letter from
ex-Secretary Whitney in which he
il positively promised Wasson's place
not later than July I. This announcement
will still further anger the large contingent
here which declares that it is an insult for
Cleveland to dictate appointments from
Washington City without considering the
wishes of the people. All told, the strong
est argument against endorsing is that the
state committee. as a jury in this matter,
is already "hung;" that 1t has been inf1u-
enced by selfish purposes and had "com-
bined" and agreed upon q verdict before
the evidence was submitted at all; that it
aspires to be a little Tammany. but, un-
like Tammany. does not choose the aver
age or best men for preferment.
The strongest argument for tho commit
tee was made by Capt. O'Toole, who pic
tured model party organization, every
part perfect, having great strength and
endurance. Virtually, however, he read
out of the party all candidates who refused
to foster, support and cooperate with the
state committee.
Col. Parker, of Walls Walla, and others
contest the jurisdiction of the committee
to arrogate to itself the power to appoint,
or, rather, indorse candidates, claiming
that the people did the actual work of put
ting Democracy into power and should be
allowed a voice in choosing its representa-
tives.
James Hamilton Lewis resolution was
introduced at discussion this afternoon,
opposing Endorsement, and was not
brought to vote. A resolution was
adopted. however, to consider the indorse-
ment puzzle at tOnight's meeting Of the
state committee and because the commit
tee, by . two-thirds vote, ignored il and
adjourned until 10 a. m. tomorrow to visit
the theaters and participated in st.
Patricks dav concert, and also to stave Off
action, many of the members, especially
country member. were displeased.
Some even 60 so far Is TO intimate that
the combination" or "slate" putting up
the largest purse will secure Endorsement.
if Endorsement is given. There is appar-
emily much unwarranted conjecture on the
influence of money. Chairman Drum de-
nies any intimation of such influence ever
being suggested to him, and George Haz-
gard announces such gossip as absolutely
without foundation.
The most impressive scene at the dis
cussion this afternoon was when Oliver
Wells, of kittitas county, replied to
Lewis. He favored Endorsement. Lewis
had said 1t was unfortunate that Demo-
Gratis had no representative in congress.
Wells, shaking his bony hand at Lewis.
declared that they would have had one
had it not been for Seattle"
Treachery and trading are among the
charges made by some OF those who con-
slider the state committee has no right to
interfere in a personal preferment of can
dida,es. Even before the returns were all
in, it is claimed the members of the
state committee began soliciting political