The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-08-09
The whatcom County popniists.

whatcorn. Aug. s-Special.-Th Popu-
list convention yesterday was regular
knoek-down and drag-out fight between
the fussonists and anti-fusionssts and was
altogether the most interesting and exeit-
ing gathering OF the rag money and refer
endam forces ever held in this county.
The fusion fight seems 10 have been pre-
cipitated by the editorial In the Champion
of last week. to which reference was made
In the news columns OF the Post-Inteli-
gencer OF yesterday. and which was
doubtless responsible for the radical anti
fusion resolution introduced by ex-Banker
Westeott OF Blaine. as follows;
Whereas Ii Is well known that there
is a move in the Populist party among
few politicians claiming to be the union
element of that party. and who are sup
posedly seeking 10 bring about fusion OF
the silver forces. but In fact IL Is VII
famous scheme 10 carry the whole forces
of reform into the Democratic camp;
therefore. TO the end that the reform or
ganization may be saved and the banner
OF reform held aloft as g star or hope 10
despairing men. be IL
Resolved That the delegates 10 be
elected 10 represent the county OF What
com in the Peoples party state convention
TO be held at Ellensbdrg on August II.
lS96. be and are hereby unequivocally in
structed. directed and commanded to op-
pose by all the means in their power any
fusion or combination. direct or indirect.
express or implied. with either the Demo-
cratic or Republican parties"
Another clause OF Mr.. Westcotts reso-
luton as he introduced IL expressly direct
ed the delegates TO Ellensburg 10 with
draw from the convention in the event of
the success OF any yillalnous scheme or
combination with the Democrats or free
silver Republicans. The debate was long
and decidedly acrimonious Most of the
speakers who waltzed out into the arena
and faced the angry delegates who were
packed like sardines in the stuffy little
hall which was formerly a saloon de-
nounced the ''villainous scheme" with as
Tauch earnestness If not as much elo-
quence as Cicero displayed in his denun-
citation OF the conspiracy Of Cataiins. The
wordy war made IL more evident than
ever before that the Populists Of this
county would be hopelessiy detected and
unhappy IL they did not have some con
spiracy' to combat Finally c. F. Cline,
who was after the conventions indorse-
ment OF his candidacy for congress, sought
to effect a compromise by eliminating the
last clause OF the resolution directing the
delegates to Ellensburg to withdraw from
the convention I'm the event of fusion.
Cqines speech was smooth and concllis-
tory. There Is not much doubt that he
would have been glad TO see the fusion
idea indorsed but he does not have 70
have house fall on him TO take a tumble,
so ne made haste 20 Set TO a place OF
safety in the band wagon. and his scheme
worked The boiling clause was stricken
out and the rest OF the resolution was
adopted with a whoop There were seven
teen delegates 10 be elected 20 the state
convention and there were thirty-eight
candidates. and Of those elected, ten at
least are known candidates for office, two
for positions on the state ticket and eight
for county or legislative Offices. J. r.
Critics. who wants n be superior Judge,
presided. and Frank Meyer. Of Fairhaven.
who wants 10 he representative or school
superfntendent or something. was the
secretary. The minstrel features OF for
rner conventions were omitted yesterday.
sor the delegates didn't seem 10 he in any
mood for funny songs and recitations.