The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-15

order to create dissension, now they
are hesitating at no falsehood nor calum-
NY in order TO promote 1t and keep 1t alive
'"r,.e malicious misrepresentation of
these incurable factionists must not go un-
challenged. No fair minded Republican,
who will look back over the events of the
last six months, can fail 10 remember that
the attitude of the Republican organiza-
ton up 10 the very last moment at which
the law permitted a nominating certificate
TO be filed. was much more than favorable
to union with the Citizens organization.
Fair-minded men will remember that when
Mr. Quigg assumed the presidency OF the
county committee he made the offer OF
union distinctly and on terms. They Will
remember that his offer was distinctly
refused by those to whom IL was address
ed. They will remember. Indeed. that
when the Citizens Association organized
1t adopted a platform which was intend
ed 10 commit its members to the 'go-it-
alone policy.
''This platform denied the relation OF a
national political party TO municipal af-
fairs. 1t challenged the right of the Re-
publican party to make a Republican nom
fnatIon. II placed upon the doctrine of
'non-partisanship' a new Interpretation,
and one which forbade the possibility of
cooperation between the Republican par
" ard The Citizens Union.
This was done. must remember.
away backf in the spring and before the
average citizen had begun TO consider what
his political course should be. Nobody paid
any attention at the time, for nobody sup
posed ii would mean that the citizens were
going deliberately 10 work TO defeat them
selves, or that they could obtain a can
didate who would stand with them IN such
a suicidal policy.
THE Republican leaders. however. who
cance and the perilous situation 20 which
ii was bound 10 lead. II anticipated ev
erythiug which the Republican party
would do TO secure a union and repudiated
all i'm advance. l. demanded the uncon-
ditional surrender Of the Republican party.
not simply 10 objectionable candidates. bat
to impossible platforms. IL demanded that
the Republican party must say that In
municipal affairs Ii would not allow Itself
10 be the Republican party. and would as
serf no right to make nomination or define
policies
THE Republican leaders met an insolent
charge withous bitterness and resentment.
They found no fault with the candidate
whom the Citizens Union picked out as
the expression OF its purpose and idea
They DO not now deny that they regard
him as practically the sort of man he
has turned out 20 be-a vainglorious self
seeker rnasquerading as a Republican.
bat willing al any tine TO wreck The Re-
publican stip on ledge OF his own am
bitiouS.
''The Republican leaders DO not deny
that they were then opposed 20 the can
didacy Of Seth Low. Bat they allowed
their opposition 10 take no definite or ir-
ritating shape. They simply insisted that
the Republican party did have Just and
inevirabie relation 20 municipal affairs;
that ii did have the right 70 nominate
and il must exercise that right; that the
views and wishes of its adheren1s were en-
titled 10 consideration. and that there
ought 20 De a union between the Citizens
Union and the Republican party. but that
Il ought 20 be an honorable. friendly and
equitable union. under the terms Of which
both should have a voice In choosing can
dia.ates ard IN defining policies
This vas the exact state Of things up
10 the time when the Republican county
committee adopted Commissioner Coiils'
resolution. inviting all antiTammany or
ganiza tfons into i conference. IN crd@r
that date might be fixed when they
should all hold their nominating conyen-
items. so that ready conference and har-
nonsoas action might be- assured
The Citizens Union refused 10 paTtict-
pate in ary conference frankly assigning
as it's reason that * was committed 20 the
.s-t,-st-afone' policy. Car any honest }Enan.
ii the face Of that fact, charge the respoTa-
sfaility for dsunson upon the Republican
uarty9 Does not every honest man knog
that II the Citizens TrnIoa had gone into
the proposed conference united action
would have been lneyifable2 Is IL aof
r3afn enough that the Republicans co1la
not have possibly broken Up. o. have A.