The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-11-21
THE CURSE OF PoPULIsM.
Ballard VIII struggle to kscaF
Though Fusion May Win.

Ballard VIII struggle to Escape,
Though Fusion May Win.
The municipal election for the city OF
Ballard. which occurs on December 4. IS
causing = good deal Of preliminary
political diminishing. The Populists, who
IN theory claim to be the party OF reform
and economy. . year ago elected two
councilmen and two city officials on .
platform of economy and under promises
that the official salaries would be reduced.
Since then every attempt At economy by
the Democratic and Republican council
men has been resisted and thwarted by all
the obstructive tactics and unscrupuIous
means within the knowledge and power
of the Populist members The credit OF
the city ha, consequently deprecated and
warrants that sold readily year ago Al
from 90 10 9S can now scarcely md
market at IS The Republican and DEM
ocratic councilmen with the cooperation
of the mayor at last passed an ordinance
reducing the official salaries and other
municipal expenses. so that the income or
the ensuing year would exceed the
expenditures and the credit of the city
would be restored. This action for the
present has prevented the warrants from
going lower.
II the Populists, however. carry the
next municipal election grave fears are en-
tsrrained that the credit of the city will
be utterly ruined The Populists are now
moving heaven and earth 10 have the
council repeal the salary ordinance. Their
theoretical principles and promises are in
practice thrown to the winds and all sorts
of inducements. short of bribery and cor
Al 81 star
Democratic councilman, who holds the
balance of power, to unite with the three
Populists members, Winsor, Mcdonald
and Lucas, to repeal the salary ordinance,
but their efforts so far have not been sue
cessfuL Thomas Winsor, whose sup
porters credit him with considerable
ability while his opponents say he lacks
scruples. has already vigorously protested
against the passage of the salary ordin-
ance.
Saturday night eleven Popuiists aud
seven Democrats met in Cors s. Wsgener's
brick building to form plans of fusion to
execute their scheme 10 control the city's
finances. Among the Democrats present
was Councilman Seth Chandler, who had
been invited to the conference. but on
learning their plans withdrew, saying
seven Democrats did not represent the
Democracy of the town. Mr.. Chandler
had been approached by Popuiist Council
man Lucas. who made the following
proposition:
Unite with Us In repeating the salary
ordinance, give us the offices of marshal
and clerk and three councilmen and the
Democrats may have ell the other Offices. I"
Mr.. Chandler, il is said, spurned the
offer and the Populists are now rustling
on other lines to accomplish their pur-
pose.
Another caucus. composed of w. II.
Lord. Charles Landers. w. Fl. Peter and
one or two others. met secretly in Peters
house and made political slate. Two or
three petitions are In circulation asking
the city to become annexed to Seattle. AS
this cannot be legally accomplished before
the next municipal election for the city of
Seattle, the movement is regarded as pre-
mature and the petitions are therefore not
being pushed.