The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-09-06
LEE HART SAYS He
WILL SUE BLETHEN,
As Soon as He Returns From EllenA-
burg Legal Proceedings VIII He
TAken TO RecOVer Commission.

The publication in the ost-Inteligencer
or the true inwardness OF the fight in the
King county delegation between the Hart
and Lewis factions has aroused more in
;erest among fusion politicians In King
county than any similar matter since the
formation of the fusion party. The prin-
cipals in the affair. including Congressman
Lewis, Lee Hart and Alden ]. Biethen Of
the Times. are naturally aversa to having
the details of their quarrel get into the
newspapers. This is why the friends of
all three, and particularly Blethen ana
Lewis make it matter OF business TO
cloud the ISSUES: TO give to one matter
more significance and weight In order to
hide their real purpose and design in an
other. and finally to star. stories Of one
kind and another going the rounds OF the
delegates and their friends. so as to be-
wilder and confuse those who are not
strictly on the inside.
As TO the matter in controversy between
Lewis and Hart. it mas been a matter of
common knowledge for years in King
county that there is no love lost between
man. Hart has never professed admira-
ton for Lewis or his methods. but has
been his political adviser and friend be-
cause he believed he was worthy OF sup
port on the score OF his ability and
strength as a candidate. Lewis has not
trusted Hart in his deep-laId schemes. It
IS said but has always given Hart credit
him.
The facts as to the dispute between M
Blethen and Mr.. Hart are known in a gen.
efal way 10 two-thirds Of the members OF
the King county delegation. The cause
Of the estrange ment between the two has
heen in the possession Of almost half the
fusion politicians OF King county for
weeks. The first public appearance OF the
| fight between them was at the recent
meeting in the office OF william Black
| man when the fusionists gathered to pre-
| pare a welcome home for Congress ma n
| Lewis. The Post-ln;elligencer reporter
was barred from attending the meeting
| 35c the reason. as MIR. Hart afterward
| said. that he did not want publication
| given % the fight which was to be made
| against Blethen. and which was actually
| made ard won by Hart ana his friends.
| From that minute Blethen determined. it
| - understood. 10 play even with Hart and
| Il possible 20 diminish. II not destroy. his
| political prestige among the Democrats Of
| King county Hence the attack made on
! him through the local columns Of the
! Times few days later IN regard 10 the
! publication Of the list Of delegates elected
a ;he primaries.
/ Az sais - pertinent. 81 view OF the late
| developments Ia the fight The differences
| between Hart and Blethen are Of nnan-
! cjaI nature. Hart claims that in mining
/ deaf B.etbpa ob;a.ned the advantage Of
( hm - the extent Of more than $50. which
/ he Claims he is entitled .. Tho Post-In-
| tallgoncer's statements as to the dispute
/ between the Two 1usn vas made on III au-
/ taor.ty q 1fr. Uar: himself. II the Times
/ Yesterday. Nj, B'ethen made q denial Of
| them as follows:
! AS Nj. Bethea never had psnny's
/ worth II business transaction with Mr
! Har: IN Ms life. nor the slightest evidence
! y property in h.s hands over which Mr
Hart ever claimed acy control. There Ger
( tainly has he@G 10 opportunity % nate
/ anybody or account - money m4ttegs''
/ When shown thls clipping yesterday. Mr.
/ liar; said. Z ID rot wish - discuss
! thas matter in IS details row. Whea I
/ re;arn from Euens5urg / shall AZ once
/ a3e salt against Nj. Bl~then demanding
/ n accounting aa1 a king Ter me money
/ c.a.m = NY due. Tina petition An4 con-
! pair. ri! stare ne fscfs in ne case
/ NJ Ea-t's statement would Indicate
+ that he thinks Mr.. Blethen's published
statement is incorrect.