The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-04-12


the roll OF unfortunate states which cannot
elect United States senator from among
those who seem most deserving. and the
honor may go 70 somebody whose chief dis
,inction Is that he has no. hitherto been con-
splcssous II has seemed strange that Gov.
Bradley has not yet entered the voting
lists, although he is known 10 have several
supporters in the legislature The ex-
PLANTATION probably Is that they feel bound
70 stand by DR.. Hunter until his elech non Is
found impossible. He has already been
within one OF the prize, and now there are
suggestions that $1,000. and even $4,000.
are available for the man who VIII cast
the decisive vote. The hesitation about
making the final effort Is due less 10 the
impossibility Of getting one OF the scatter
ing members 20 take that tempting sum
than to fear that when the one deciding
vote IS felt to be safe. some of Bradley's
friends. who are now voting for Hunter.
VIII draw OF and snatch victory from the
tantslized aspirant.
Hunter Is free silver Republican, Brad
ley is a sound money man. Hunter has the
political machinery behind him. and 1t IS
claimed Is using It 10 trade with free sill
yer members OF the Democratic party in
the legislature to throw his influence to
free silver candidates for local Offices next
fall.
Blackburn has coaxed and whipped his
supporters into line but they are becoming
FESTIVE and one Of them recently declared
that blackburn has so long been accus-
toned TO making drafts on his friends
and honoring no drafts from them that
selfshness has come to be the chief char
acterlstic OF his nature. Mr.. Blackburn
win not be the first man 10 suffer from the
stubborn tenacity which blinds politicians
TO the need OF reciprocity in public life.
Platt and Quay owe much OF their success
to the fact that they are always willing TO
honor drafts upon them by political sup
porters. 1t Is often charged against them
that they invariably make point Of seek
ing to have their friends rewarded by Of
fee. II seems 10 be assumed that men in
public life should know no friends when
selections are 10 be made for prefernent
Yet this Is what they regard rs honoring
drafts upon them. II may not be an ideal
system by which TO choose public servants.
but 1t II the only method by which leaders
can be successful.
The Democrats consider that II Black
burn would consent 70 withdraw free sill
verite could he elected. Bradley considers
that Hunters election would destroy the
Republican party in Kentucky. Bradley's
friends insist that ne Is the only man who
/ made Republican success possible In that
state IN 1895. and that % support Hunter
I now would be to staltify the party by turn
f ing a sound money success into a success
+ for free silver.
/ The situation Is causing the aaminlstra-
/ ton much concern and although the presi-
/ dent has refused 20 Interfere. II Is a GER
/ talnty that he would prefer sound money
/ senator. Appeals have been made 10 him
( % use his influence with members 20 come
I ont for Hunter. but no response Is made.
( Among the members themselves the most
! extraordinary contradictions are found. A
/ majority os the silverites are for Gov. Brad
I ley. several goii Democrats are for Hun
/ ter. Blackburn. the free siiverite Democrat.
+ prefers the sound money Bradley 10 the
I free silver Hunter and party lines would be
entirely eliminated were Il not that few
/ Democrats VIII vote Tor any democrat in
/ preference % any Republican. Irrespective
! Of the money question.
SO many predictions q break IN tire
deadlock have been made and failed. and
the conflict Is becoming 50 bitter. that it,
tie hope IS le,t % an election. except q
me not now in The race. TAe only chance
- that Bradley may succeed in quietly Sc
curing enough promises and then max. a
bold dash. winning 81 the first ballot In
/ which bis name Is presented