The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-01-28

fusion question comes up for firal solution.
IA reply 10 charges Of this nature, the
fusion Popuiists or those who are allied
10 tns ofi1ce-ho!ders. say that the influence
now IN control OF the Populisi organiza-
tion Is not working TO the best interests
o. the party and that the men who are in
tae saddle are willing to defeat fusion pro-
Flaed they can remain In control OF the
felns OF government.
These are conditions as they exist. re-
CARELESS OF the merits involved in the diff
ferent controversies
The big battle for control of the Populist
organization VIII be made on the first day
OF the convention. which has been set for
February - by the Peoples party central
committee. Each side Will be organized
Tor as interesting "a fight has ever been
seen In Seattle. At the head of one ele-
ment Will stand DIR. J. Eugene Jordan. who
IL credited with effecting the passage OF
the resolution barring the politicians who
iced at the public crib from participation
in the convention. Perhaps il would he
nearer right 10 say that the opening Skin
mish OF the conflict viii he held with the
primaries. for each faction will endeayor
10 secure control OF the convention By
efectinS Its men as delegates.
II Hart Fighting Jordan.
Whether rightfuily or not. Deputy Pros
ecuting Attorney John r. Hart is credited
with being the central figure in the anti
Jordan wing of the party. AT his devoted
head arc now being slung the shafts Of
those Peoples party men who detest off,
ciai domination OF the party organization.
There are plenty OF old-line Populists who
can be found to espouse this sentiment
Their more progressive brethren will scoff
AT their whiskers and all that, but they
know the temper of their steel
Said one OF these yesterday: ct Is time
that John Il. Hart became convinced OF
the fact that he is not the whole thing.
Mr.. Hart has succeeded In organizing
around himself band of politicians. many
OF whom are now drawing good salaries
from the county or state government. They
wish 10 control the party for their own
purposes 1t is tenet OF the Peoples par
~. as old as the organization itself. that
men who have been honored by the party
should keep their hands off it's machinery
and refrain from attempting to influence
its deliberations. This fact seems to have
been entirely overlooked by Mr. Hart and
his associates.
The fact OF the matter is that tbese
people seek TO govern the whole party
Ihey are enjoying fat offices, and, bloated
with good living and sense of party re-
spohsipiiity they attempt 10 shelye the
men who. In season and out, have waged
the fight of the Peoples party. IL Is no
wonder that the sentiment Of the organiza-
ton should find expression against them
j. NJ Davis. a member of the Populist
city central committee. yesterday express
ed the sentiment of the ma ority that voted
against reconsideration of the anti-office
holders resolution Tuesday night He
said: Mr.. Harris desire to be-
come corporation counsel should not
trV>
considerations should not induce him
TO turn over the organization of
the party to his Democratic friends and
deliver the head of the ticket bodily 10
them. Mr.. Hart now enjoys a good offfco.
lie has been a candidate as many and per-
maps more times than any other member
OF the party in the city. He should be
satisfied. or at least take heed of the warn
ing conveyed in the overwhelming action
OF the committee Tuesday night In refusing
10 reeede from its position on the mat
ter OF the eligibility of delegates TO the
city convention"
Democrats Are Finessing
The Democratic city central committee.
which met in secret session Wednesday
night decided to call the municipal con-
vention not later than February Il. A
Subcommittee was appointed TO prepare
the call and report TO the committee in
regular session next Monday night
The weight OF secrecy was placed on all
the members of the committee who were
pledged not 10 divulge the result of the
meeting. II can be stated. however on
authority. that the foregoing is the glst
of the committees action
There Ia greater significance I'm the action
of the committee than appears AT first
scrutiny. The convention, Il will be noted
Is tn. hsl1 tNpnt t.sa thA,
The subcommittee. composed OF members
OF the executive committee. Is to report
10 the committee the language of the call
This was done for the purpose Of allow
ing the subcommittee chance To try and
smooth down the rufied plumage OF the
Populist bird so as to bring the TWO con
Nen;lons together on the same day.
II sufficient encouragement Is given the
committee tina; the fusion movement on
Democrats terms. will be accepted by the
People party then the convention Will be
SCI for February Is. on the day the Popu-
lists have decided 10 hold their conveu-
ttop. If however. il Is found that the
fopuiisi organization IS controlled by men
opposed 10 accepting the present terms az
the Democratic managers then the con-
Nention VIII be set FOR February Il
The Democratic agents among the P0pu-
lists VIII organize for the purpose ~ un-
horsinS the present controlling power on
'he day the convention meets. Adjourn
merit for two days. or until the Democrats
meet. viii then be taken IL success Is
achieved, and a combination viii be
welded.
IL the Democratic call Tor a convention
II couched in the language desired by the
majority 81 the active party workers
will be the most noted political document
that has ever been promulgated in the his
tory % Seattle.
IL viii in effect serve notice on the gold
Democrats, or those who refused TO sup
port Bryan and the Chicago platform
that they viii be forever barred from par
ticipafion ia the councils ~ the party un-
less they approach the polls at the pri-
naries in sackcloth and ashes humliate
themselves before the silver sod, and vow
never IN their lives - cease from wcr-
shipping the silver idol Mr.. Bryan. II IS
expected that the rall for th@ convention
VIII state in explicit terms thas those In
charge % the primaries VIII not allow any