The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1897-02-04
TURNER FOR SENATOR
A Brief Biography Of The Successful
Candidate is Given.
IN THE BOWELS OF The EARTH
Various Items OF News OF the state
ana the world at Large-Spicn-
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ance Company.

Hon. George Turner was on Friday
last elected to the u. $. senate from
Washington to succeed Watson G.. Squire.
lie was chosen on the 25th ballot as the
direct result of the caucus of the fusion
lists, receiving IS votes to % for Denny,
IA for Wescott, for Squire and for
Kietz. The winning candidate received
the votes of all Of the democrats, all Of
the silver republicans and 40 of the IS
populists including Jory OF Yakima.
Probably the most interesting feature
of the Turner election is that it retres to
private life Senator Squire, whose term
will expire March 1, 1897. Squire was
elected as a republican for short term
of two years at the first legislative ses.
sion, in January, 1890, soon after Wash
ington was admitted as a state. John b.
Allen was also chosen at that time for
the four year term, and Judge Turner,
who was a candidate, was really beaten
by both Squire and Allen. At the second
legislative session, 1892, Squire was re.
elected by the republicans, defeating the
late Judge Calkins. Squire, for some
time has been chairman of the committee
on coast defenses. This important posi-
ton was used as leverage to secure his
reelection, owing to the necessity OF de.
Tending Puget Sound, but WAS OF no avail.
Soon after the St. Louis convention,
Squire renowned the republican party
and claimed allegiance to the cause Of
free silver and Bryan, but the populists
believed that the sudden switch was for
the purpose of reelection, and had no
faith in its sincerity. Squire made an
active fight during the campaign and
since, and expected to be reelected Not
withstanding the fact that he did not re-
ceive more than seven votes on any of the
% ballots, he continued in the contest at
great expense, believing success would
come to him in the break up OF the pop
ulist forces. He was present until the
end of the contest.
The election of Judge Turner was bit
terly contested by the friends of Senator
Wilson, the latter recognizing that Turn
er s success meant his own downfall two
years hence, for with Turner and Wilson
in the senate and Hyde in the house,
Spokane could not look for further con
gressional favors when another election
rolled around, and that two years hence
he would he shelved and the next sena-
tor would be taken from the west side OF
the mountains.
Mr.. Turner was born at Edna, Mo. ,
in 1850, and received common school
education. At the age of II he moved
to Alabama, studied law in the office of
his brother, WAS admitted to the bar when
barely 81 years Of age, a few months
later was the republican candidate for
attorney general, and was beaten by a
few votes. lie was a personal friend OF
President Grant, who appointed him T..
5. marshal for Alabama. lie was IA
member of the republican national con-
gress OF 1876, 1880 and 1884. In 1880 he
was member OF the 30G, the cold guard"
that stood to the last Tor Grant. In 1884
President Arthur appointed him associ-
ate justice Of the supreme court of Wash
Ington territory, a position he held until
1888, when he resigned. In coming to
this state he took up his home in Yakima
city but later moved to Spokane where
he has since resided. In 1889 he was
chairman OF the Judiciary committee OF
the constitutional convention, and was a
recognized leader of anti-corporation
forces in that body. He has been a can
didate for senator four times, and in 1893
fought Senator Allen to finish deadlock
In the past couple Of years Judge Turner
has directed his attention to mining, be-
ing one of the principal stockholders and
manager Of the lie Roi mine in the Trail
Creek district, British Columbia. The
mine has proven Of great value and is a
regular dividend payer. From this
source the senator elect is credited with
having accumulated about hall million
of dollars. although this figure is proba-
bly, overstated.
Deepest Hole Ia the world.