The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-02-03
CHOOSING A LEADER.
Tacoma Politicians Preparing
for q Hot Fight.
NAMES ALREADY MENTIONED.
The Northern Pacific 70 Put Two New
Steamships on tho China Route
Next July.

Tacoma. Feb. z-Gpeciai-The efforts or
ths Democratic and Popu.ist city central
committees In making q combination for
the approaching municipal election las
Rad the effect. during the past week, OK
stirring up interest in Republican city
politics, and candidates for mayor, comp
trcIer and treasurer are being generally
discussed. For several days past Repoo-
lean leaders have fe.t that the fusion
movement between the Democrats am
pcpu.ists would be ct least partial sue
cess and ae q combination ftcsel "oSia
possess more elements OF strezsen lhah
either the straight Democratic ana Feo-
PIES party tickets, they have been cast
ing about for some strong man TO tie up
with.
The IeaoinS politicians n the Republic
an party realize the necessity OF making
q wise choice az this time. particularly
on account OF the fw0-hea1ed combine
which is already IN the fed with ''Tur-
key" Faweett carrying the banner, and
also from the growth Of the reform SEN
timent, and the active policy pursued by
the aggressive Taxpayers League. OF
which Cot. C. W CFigZs is president
For the Republican nomination for
mayor nearly, IL not quite, a dozen men
have been named. ard half OF them have
their plans well laid. and each has his
friends, who are industriougly laboring in
the city council, and Col W. J. Fife are
at present most prominently before the
pecp.s. Er Fffs has many loyas friends
who are making a thorough and enerzet-
fc canvas Ia his behalf and his strength
81 believed 70 be not inconsiderable. Both
Mr.. Harris and Mr.. Fife have strong
friends IN the A. p. A.. and its allied or
eanixatsons, and each viii probably go
into the Republican convention with a
Considerable following
Mr.. Harris vas first elected 20 the
council from the First ward in lss3. just
before the water election. He was re-
fused the Republican nomination. and
ran Independently. When he came up
for reelection in 1885, ne was again
t,srred down by the regular Republican
convention. and Henry Longsfreth was
nominated. Dir. Harris again ran indie
peEfentiy. and the campaign following
was bitterly contested ending IA Mr.
Bcryis being elected.
Since he first took his seat In the coun-
ell. Mr.. Harris has been the outspoken
opporent OF the land and light and water
companies. He has been persastently op-
posed by one wing Of his party. and this
led him to ally himself with the Popu-
lists In 1894. when he was chosen presi-
dent Of the council after a long deadlock.
The next year the Republican members
of a council elected 70 reform municipal
Affairs took Mr. Harris into their camp.
and he was reelected without difficulty.
The friends OF President Harris assert
that his long experience In municipal af-
fairs, clean record and the fact that
he has a large following IN the Peoples
party, make him a strong candidate to
pu. In the race against Turkey Faw-
eett. and his fusion ticket.
Tho Republican nominations will depend
largely upon what the Taxpayers League
49, a. II
IL an oid-time Democrat, and does not view
with approval the Fawcett fusion deal.
Other well-known Democrats are infiuen-
fial members OF the league. and they are
also outspoken against Fawcett and his
Populist allies. Members OF the organiza-
ton say they viii actively support the Re-
publican candidate IL he is a capable and
reliable man. In this connection II may be
said that the league has a large amount OF
Hayorsalty timber among its members.
from which a candidate may be picked II
the other nominees DO not suit the league.
Q. Il. Hayden. l.. W. Roys. q. l.. Holmes
and r. n. Woodruff have been mentioned
az possibilities.
Among tho leaders in the party the name
or John X. Palmer has been mentioned in
connection with the Republican nominal
ton. Ar. Palmer came near being a strong
candidate before the convention two years
ago. He has influential friends among tho
Democrats. and is generally regarded as an
available man. In administration circles
Mayor Orr IL looked upop as being candi-
date. but he himself VIII say nothing as yet
about his plans. IL Is said that In case the
mayor concludes to retire. the strength OF
the administration win go TO Harris
Controller Benham Will probably be re-
nominated and reelected without dill
Guilty. No candidates for the nomination
for treasurer have been put forth among
the Republicans as yet From all the indi-
cations the campaign will be the most hot
~ contested In the citys history.