The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-02-25
THE TRUE ISSUE.


An unusual disposition Of circumstances
In thu Kaleidoscope OF politics has almost
Invested the municipal campaign OF party
features. II has narrowed down to a
square issue between Jordanism and
Decency: between q foul blot on the city's
fair name and our good reputation
abroad: between all that represents pro-
gress. revived prosperity and good order
on the one hand. and degradation. dis
credit and viciousness on the other.
There Is a class of storskeepers who
have suffered from hard times. They are
honest. weIl-meaning men. good citizens
and genial neighbors. They are deeply
interested In promoting ths commercial
activity Of the city. They are rather dis
posed TO catch at a straw. Jordan's
trusty hcnchmen are holding out that
straw-the most fiimsy. brittle. rotten bit
stantial interest lies In the election OF one
of themselves to the Office of mayor. ANY
man who has been in business on First
or Second avenue. above or below Yesler
way. for the past five years. must have
become pretty familiar with the varied
necessities OF trade: with the means OF
bringing IT here, and the business induce
ments to be held out. A merchant In the
hardware trade OF Seattle knows how
much Seattle would benefit by the stay
during the winter months OF miners and
ioggers down from the hills and In from
~{&x, fa4+ a., b.
where they will buy their chains and their
picks, the clothes and their outfit for the
following summer. A merchant OF Seat
tie understands his fellow merchant In
the dry goods. grocery. tobacco. liquor.
tent. sporting goods or any other bust
ness. what their troubles are. how to join
them In attracting business and building
up the city.
Is IL not reasonable that he would be
a better counsellor than, and fully as
broad In his views and as practical in the
exercise of his discretionary powers as, a
auack who is In sympathy with nothing
tut his own ambition?
Jordan is n man who uses labor as a
tool stands on party as a step-ladder. and
knows no principle except personal ag
Erandzement lie has affiliated with
Democrats. Popullsts and single takers.
and betrayed them all. lie has never done
thing for labor except talk; he has
never been identified with a good move
ment. except as player TO the galleries:
he never passed good measure; he has
confined his legislation 10 criticism OF
others: he has had no hand In any pub
lie work. although he has often shot of
bombastlc resolutions. which meant moth
ing. accomplished nothing and hurt no
body.
What a contrast, A clean. honorable
business man. who has kept out of the
turmoil OF politics and built UP by good
sense and honest methods a reputable
business. Opposed TO him Is a man who
Is ND 90 his neck in the mire OF the cheap
est politics. who is enabled to dress well
and live well on the conading faith OF suf-
ferers. who have been beguiled. whose
social Affiliations are those OF the night
hawk. and whose only platform Is an as
suranee OF police protection to iawless-
ness.
The issue Is not between Populism or
Democracy and Repuhlicanism. II is not
a fair and honorable difference Of opin-
ten between men OF equal rank. 1t Is
crusade OF good citizenship against the
ras, tag and bobtan OF every party in the
city. the onslaught OF outraged public
opinion upoE the toads and the bats; the
assertion Of civic manhood. OF municipal
credit ana liberal business principles over
nabby demagogisnl. furnished reputation
ana unhridted heenuousness-