The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-01-20
GOSSIP ON POLITICS.
The Slate Maker Across the
Mountains.
SOME TRUTH. SOME GUESS WORK
What Politicians Are Talking About
Some or the Aspirants for Future
Public Preferment.

X IS am aslER 70 listen 10 the Chat that u
going on. They all hope that great good
viii result 20 the state from the convention
at Seattle. but there is no doubt. while
there was a great deal OF immigration,
there was also much OF politics dis
cussed there and some OF the SLATE max
ers'' now see deeper into milestone than
before they made their trip to that city.
Mr.. Eugene Wilson was there, and with
Senator Van Houten and another gentle
man had a conference OF considerable
length. II is apparent 10 more than one
aspirant from Eastern Washington for the
gubernatorlal nomination that there IS
only remote probability-always assunl-
ing that Hon. John II. McGraw is candi-
date for the senate-that the nomination
for governor viii come east OF the Cas-
cades, and unless all OF the Eastern aspir-
ants shall pool their chances and unite on
one man, the governorship win surely 60
to Western Washington. The trouble about
Eastern Washington Republicans is that
they have too many candidates for state
positions. kittitas. with small vote, has
three distinguished gentlemen who are will
ing 10 serve their state. Mr.. Eugene VIII
son and his friends think his chances are
good for the nomination for governor.
while Auditor Frisk VIII undoubtedly be
presented for nomination 10 his present
position. and Senator Helm knows that he
is peculiarly constituted to make a first
class congressman, for he gave Mr.. Schive-
ley TO understand that some months ago.
He thinks he would find no difficulty in
picking up the mantle Of Congressman
Hyde, provided Z should fall from the Shout
ders Of that gentleman. But Will IL fall?
There are a dozen anxious aspirants in
Eastern Washington. each Of whom would
like TO know when and where that mantle
will fall, and this very fact may cause our
present efficient secretary OF state some
IL Or tAzsa Fa~ rat arxr Of
state has been sprung in Spokane in the
person OF the county auditor Mr.. Jones
viii not be IA candidate for attorney gen.
eral. so the aspirants for congress from
Eastern Washington, in order to defeat MIR.
Hyde. will combine for Spokane man for
secretary OF state.
II one takes trip to Yakima and in
ouires for Senator Lesh. ten TO one he will
be told that the senator has gone on a
trip 10 look after the affairs OF his COM
pany-and before you can leave town some
one viii ask you IL there is not a good
showing 10 nominate Senator Lesh for
governor and Representative AIilroy for
attorney central.
Now al this is very nice, and shows that
these gentlemen stand high in the estima-
ton OF their people, but how can Senator
Lesh and Mr.. Eugene Wilson and Col.
Cosgrove and Lieut. Gov. Luce all hope
TO show any considerable strength in the
convention that is to nominate a candi-
date for governor? In the summer Il was
reported all over the state that Speaker
Morrison would seek the position of lieu
tenant governor, with Judge Turner as a
candidate for governor but the Judge Is
reported 10 have struck II rich in some
mining ventures and to have given UP,
for time at least, both law and politics.
So the question that now puzzles Mr.. Nor
rlson may he whether he believes he can
be- hV wit Nfr
Wilson or Senator Lesh or Col. Cosgrove
or Lieut.. Gov. Luce. None OF these gen.
tlemen seems TO exactly fill the bill. for
report said that IL was also in the bargain
that Judge Turner was to contest for SEN
ator Wilson's place in 1899. and. IL success
ful, OF course that would make Mr.. Morri-
son governor, and 1t is doubtful whether
Mr.. Morrison would care for the position
OF lieutenant governor without that con-
tirgcncy.
In the meantime there is an apparent
apathy among some or the old leaders,
who In former campaigns fought and Won
or went down in the defeat or their forces.
They seem for the time 70 be demora.ized
or Uncertain what to DO or where TO move.
There can be no question as to the fact
that new men and new combinations have
appeared in the field Of politics, and IL is
equally certain that considerable ability
and tact have been and are being DIS
played by these new factors.
AS a general thing these new leaders
have not been allied with any OF the Old
factions, and whilst they are under no
Obligations TO the men who have hereto
fore dominated state and Federal politics,
they have nevertheless a clear perception
OF the entire situation throughout the
state, and there exists between them en-
tire confidence and friendly relations. An
organization, offensive and defensive. is
believed 10 exist IN nearly every county,
the object Of which has not yet been clear
~ developed, for the reason that those in
terested have talked very little 1or the
public. and have been very discreet and
quiet IN their movements
As yet lao factions are believed TO disturb
the harmony OF their councils, so that un-
less the old crowd can get together and
harmonic among themselves the proba-
bility Is that the next state convention Will
prove "a Sedan for those who have led the
Republican hosts in the past.
II Is said and there seems 10 be a good
dead or truth in the assertion. that eX-Sen-
ator Aliens friends are quietly but effect
lively working IN his behalf And * Is be-
ing done 50 smoothly that few appreciate
the extent OF Mr.. Aliens strength.
Would II not be well FOR the political
managers ia the larger counties 10 remem-
her that 10 Was "a combination OF the repre-
scntatiyes OF small counties that elected
John l. Wilson TO the United states sen
ate last WiGterf Counties that heretofore
have been deemed o. lIttlc Consequence in
slst now ou recognition. and they are go
ing 20 insist haNd AZ the coming Ccnyen-
tio1s and unless they receive what they
deem themselves entitled 20 there is likely
SO he some very surprising results ~ The
conventions. TIE small counties west OF
the mountains. II they combine and they
have combined. have more votes than
King and Pierce together and the small
counties east 81 the mountains are very
willing 10 pool w.th those Of the west end
even though Spokane should Join with
Pierce ard King. which IS most ir1n~oh-
able. stan the small counties would have
a majority % thc votes at the state con-
Neuttcn.
There have already been made b, can
ai-otts east OF the mountains 10 g.ntle-
fnea no the west, who are supposed q have
tee uorthwest-s7uth west combination In
charge. oyerturca 20 unite with tra~,
against the large counties. and unless the
large counties get hustle on themselves
and make fair division with their small
HeI-hHors something wiN he beard 70 srop
ana lt VIII be The senatorial and ctlu-rua-
torA and other tuicv plnms dropping
from t-e large 90 the small counties.
Harctotore, King ara Pierce IN the West
ana SPOKANE IN the East have dictated
state Nominations. the small counties f,,,-
urcoHpla.ri0Ely the crumbs thrown them
7N fNttr more powerful uel-ht1rs. but they
noH realize that they are entitled 10 mora
than they have heretofore hem certf-e-
ana that by combining thcv can give n
stead OF reoctti1K-au5 the combination
IS strong a. shat. and while tnev are DIS
posed 20 deal fairly with their larve-
q. en- 1crs .H She distribution OF Offices =
2. be- good policy on the part % the large
.te = - frrf s