The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-08-19
CUT WHATC0M'
WILSON GOES To DECIDE AMONG
THE CANDIDATES.
AnxiousIy Awaited by weuId-Be
ors-Capt. Coon TO Be Deputy Col
Iccter at Everett-The Anfeinetta
in Bad Condition.

Special Dispatch TO the Post-fnteIligencer
FATRHANEN, Aug. E.-After weeks OF
weary waiting 4spi-ants fer Federal posi-
tons here are having an opportunity 10 lay
systematic siege 10 Senator Wilson in
their stronghold. he arrived today from
Everett, accompanied by Mrs Wilson. and
registered at the Fairhaven hotel. The
principal pluns 70 be dispensed in this
county are the postmastsrships here and
the deputy coliectOrships ~ Whateom,
SUmas and Blaine.
The principal interest. however, cenfers
in the fight for the Waatcom poss3 flee.
for which the most active asDirants are
Robert Knox and Hugh EI6ridgs. The lat
ter is the son Of the old pioneer. Edward
Eldridge, ncw deceased. who was proEnl-
nent III political affairs during the entire
territorial period and was one OF the dele
gates 10 the Minneapolis convention which
nominated President Harrison. Hugh was
horn on the old homestead az Whatcom.
and has bean very active and influential IN
Republican politics IN the county ever
since he attained hts majority. He is now
fhe county member Of the state committee
and Is strongly supported in his candidacy
by the chairman of the county committee
and most OF the members and by large
number Of the party's most active work
ers in Whatcom.
Mr.. Knox Is the owner Of the Knox block
in old Whatcom. and IS very we'll known
and highly respected in business circles.
His supporters include many of the most
prominent Republicans in the city and
county. and IL is claimed that the petition
filed In his interest bears the names OF 80
per cent. of the city's business men.
Another candidate is r. C. Higglnson.
the wellknown druggist and chairman Of
the board of trustees OF the state normal
school here, the appropriation for the
equipment and maintenance of which Gov.
Rogers vetoed In the interest Of re
form" from his standpoint. Mr.. Higginson
has not made an active canvass locally.
but may stand a good show in the event
that both Eldridge and Knox are dropped.
Still another candidate is Judge Williams,
who was editor Of the Revells for nearly
two years preceding It's recent change OF
management. Mail Carrier C. A. Horst Is
also after the plum and is said TO have a
considerable following.
Here In Fairhaven the postoffice candi-
dates are S r. Tapping and John 4. Ware.
Both are old soldiers, bat Tapping seems
10 have the strongest party following and
his chances are considered the best.
For the deputy collectorship at Whatcom
William Relley. who held the office under
the Harrison administration. is said TO be
a candidate. but he is now in California
and does not seem to be making any active
fight fer the place. II Is said also that
Mai Cole would not be averse 20 taking
the place. and that Frank Richards for
merly a member of the state senate and
well known in state politics. would like TO
succeed the astute Martin j. Maioney as
deputy collector al Northport II has been
evident for weeks that there has been good
deal OF elimination and recrimnation in
dulged IN by friends Of rival candidates,
so much so that Senator Wilson must have
been considerably perplexed 10 know what
to do.