The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-08-19
Mason County Politics.

The following correspondence, which
appeared iP Saturdays Pr. contains
some political guesses, which will be
found not far from the truth:
The people of Mason county have
not yet warmed up to the proper pollt-
ical enthusiasm to prognostlcate re-
suits without more or less conjecture,
still, as many of the cold heads" are
on the alert, good general idea may
be given.
There was a fusion of Democrats,
SILVER Republicans and Populists in
1896, and they we'll nigh swept the
county This year, however, there
may, and probably will, be some
trouble in bringing this political chaos
into one peaceful conglomerate. 1t is
very characteristic of the Populists to
ask fox more Offices than they are en-
titled to, and here is where the hitch
will come in. The Democrats and
Silver Republicans have some consid-
cradle strength in Mason county, but
rigid search reveals bare hundred
of Simonpure Populists. What offices
the latter will ask is yet problematical,
but the best information Obtainable
says place on the legislative ticket, a
county Commissioner and the sheriff.
Their one time allies don't like this
assurance, and feel disinclined to
accede., Many, however, favor giving
them more than is due, perhaps, and
thus bring about the fusion which
they believe will prove so large an aid
to the state results. The different
factions do not make an attempt to
deny the facts that the "fusiOnists"
are not pulling together, and it is pos
sible there Will not be entire harmony
this year
AS is sometimes true where the odds
are against them. the Republicans are
not so active as they should be, and
the leaders are few. There is post
office "scrap" at Union City that is
causing something of a split in the
ranks. When Jake Happily rented
the Puget Mill Company's ranch at
Clifton he sent in his resignation as
! I'M
ately thereafter MesSrs John Sweet
Land, Sam Lewis and Judd Todd made
application for the Office. At present
Mr.. Lewis is acting postmaster. This
trouble should in some way be adjudi-
Gated, becaused it is creating useless
and harmful discussion.
C. B. Gunderson, the present county
school superintendent, is certain of
the Republican nomination to the
legislature, and his chances are excel
lent S. p Richardson will probably
be in the race for the fusOnists, and
while it will be a pretty fight, the odds
are with his opponent. This legisla-
tive ticket, however, is not yet made
up. GARNER" Todd, it is said, would
like the situation, and it may be he
will receive the nomination. Those
who know say if he doesn't get the
nomination for that place he will try
to land a commissionership. He is
very popular with the Populists espec-
tally, and it is probable that he viii be
on the slate. Henry Latham, the
present county commissioner from the
Skokomish district, where GARNER"
Todd resides, has made good officer,
and the Democrats want him again, so
here is another place where the great
advocate of reform will not wedge in
comfortably. ]. ID. Dow, Republican,
of Hoodsport, will be put up for com
missioner against either Latham or
Todd, and his chances of election are
good. Mr.. Dow has the confidence
and respect of the people, and will
make mighty interesting race.
1t is difficult to find an efficient
sheriff, but in Sam Caldwell, Mason
county, has done so. AS he is now
holding the Office for a second term,
he is ineligible, and for this Office
everybody is mum. Mr.. Caldwell is a
Republican, and it is favorable that
his successor will be the same.
A. w. Fredson, the present treasur-
er will run again this year. He is a
democrat. William Forbes, democrat
and assessor, wants the authorship,
but it is probable that he will receive
the nomination for his present Office,
though it is claimed he has not been
satisfactory to a majority of the citi-
zens. Malcolm Dunbar, the present
auditor, is very sick, and in all proba-
, bility will not be sufficiently recover
ed to enter the campaign in any ca
pacity.
w. H. Kneeland, tho railway man,
1T is rumOred, is not looking for any,