The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-01-20
CITY oFFIcfA. PAPER.
sEATTLE, THURSDAY. JAN. 20.
TnAITons IN THE PARTY.

TRAITORS IN THE PARTY.
Maryland In In the same predicament
~ Ohio was a few days ago. II the
Republican members of the legislature
xepresented the party Il would soon
fall to pieces. The situation created
by the Ohio Republicans who made an
alliance with the Democrats. and the
eleven Republicans in Maryland who
have been guilty OF the same act Of
treachery, presents 10 the people con-
tTast between those who are Repub-
licans from principle and those who are
Republicans for the sake of the spois
The latter despicabIe element is not
confined to any one party. Indeed, IL
has wrecked the Democratic party and
threatens now TO drag down the Pep
ples' party to destruction and disgrace
IL the people of the country. instead
Of fighting among themselves as blind
followers OF selfish leaders. made com
mon cause against the yuitares. they
would do more to purify our political
atmosphere than by rash and lmpetuous
overturning of an entire party. because
OF the objectionable acts OF few who
do not belong 10 any party but that of
the grafters.
As In the Ohio case. eleven Republic
vf,ty Aut
/ Democrats and secured the election OF
I. one OF their number az speaker and
turned over most of the patronage to
the Democrats. II is not pretended that
there IL any principle in this. There IS
not. OF course. but forced respect for
public opinion usually prompts politl-
clans Of the CRATER order 10 assume
semb.ance of virtuous purpose. The
minority In Ohio and Maryland was
actuated by bitter personal luminosity
To candidates for the United States
senate. Beaten by their own people AT
the primaries. Iii the convention. aud
at the polls. the defeated minority. by
traitorous alliance with the Demo
Gratis. sought to defeat the expressed
Will of the party. IL Is true that IN
Maryland the issue was not presented
20 the people as clearly as 1t was in
Ohio. but no objection on the score Of
unfitness can be urged against any Of
a. att he AKtt. IF
the Republican members o! the ieglsla-
ture to canvass the situation among
thenlseives and determine IN caucus
who should be the choice.
When a faction In party flnds It
sell defeated 1t affects TO regard the
caucus as part of machine rule. I:
may be so. nee that liz not the time ar
the place Tor the people TO break down
the maehinc-if there is one. II the
people are oppoaed 20 any So; % men
and will attend the primaries. they can
always defeat them. Having permitted
a majority 70 elect those men 1t be
comes the duty of every member OF "A
party organization 20 stand by the de-
egsion Of the majority. Violation at
this principle jeo,.ardlacs free lnstltu-
tons When We abandon the doctrine
that the majority nnst t,le. we hav.
Gu, adeist fvor the anchor If safety
The ps-ele are more deeply Interested
in TIE maintenance Of this cardinal
virtue In party affairs than the active
politicians Suppose the People should
elect a majority oe the Peoples party
upon sisal Interest 70 tho legislature
or 10 congress. suppose tina; among
the representative IN tn Peoples rar.
Is were SEINE seif-seeki7s leaders as
'aere sre.-who. lEHoriuS tAe rarr