The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-09-12

was first in the role Of states. Although
Pennsylvania adopted the convention
form OF nomination before New York
did. 1t was in very primitive fashion,
and it was in New York that the sys-
tern OF making nomination. for state of
ficers through duly elected delegates
became developed as part Of tina: cleo
toral system which grew up outside OF
the constitution.
The state has a more complete organ
ization for both the leading parties than
any other state in the Union. The Re-
publican organization Is not so thor
ough as In Pennsylvania. but In that
state the Democrats are not so well or
ganized. 1t is the equality OF strength
on the part of the two organizations
which makes every campaign so full OF
interest in New York. Tammany has
the advantage in the city under normal
conditions. but in the state the parties
are more evenly balanced, and there is
much greater care in the selection of the
chief executive than there is in the
choice Of nominees for mayor. Richard
Croker was able to dictate the choice
OF the Democrats in the city. as the po-
litical boss has often done before, but
In the state greater caution must be ex-
ercised.
This year will be no exception to the
rule. On the contrary, there will be a
most determined effort made by the
Democrats to win back the state from
the Republicans. and the choice Of
candidate for governor Is giving the
leaders considerable anxiety. The pres
ent governor is a candidate for re-elec-
ton. but Theodore Roosevelt is being
put forward by his friends and by the
enemies of Black. The Democrats seem
likely to concentrate upon ex-Gov
Flower. With Roosevelt and Flower in
the field. there would be splendid po-
litical contest, although the end would
undoubtedly be the election of the dis
tinguished colonel of the Rough Riders
Tarnmany has shown considerable
shrewdness in taking up Flower. His
nomination would bring into line sound
money Democrats who declined to sup
port Mr. Bryan for president and Judge
Porter for governor in 1896. He made
a certain reputation during his previ-
Gus incumbency OF the office in resist
ing extravaganza and iobbery: and he
has always been the foe of anything
resembling paternalism and class taxa
ton David 3. Hill could have no OBJ
lection TO Flower, and indeed would feel
compelled to. and no doubt would glad
ly. support him. This would unite the
Democratic party in the state. and the
platform will no doubt be confined to
state issues.
This would compel the Republicans to
put forth their strongest man. Senator
Plat may not particularly desire Roose-
vel., because of his perfect independ-
ence. but he would probably be more
acceptable than Black, who. after hav-
ing been nominated by Plat and his
| friends has become independent and
now seeks the nomination In defiance Of
Platt. He recently said that he did not
desire the nomination at the hands OF
| one man and that he regarded The one
man power as menace to the inter
ests az the Republican party In the
! state, What he said was true enough
| but IL exasperatei the Platt men that
| Il should come from one who had no
! scruple about taking the nomination
! from the oue-man power when he could
| get 1t in no other way. Black has re-
/ ally been good governor He seems
! to have been conscientious and to have
/ resisted the influence which put him into
! office when il was sought Ia exert that
/ Influence for purposes which The gov
! aruor believed to he not in the best in
/ teres,s Of the state His only fault
( seems n be that sometimes he was mis-
/ taken. or ri least the view he took was
/ not the most popular.
) w - - Nd4Fic th e. StsAb4f SHost'E tsl
+ the part Of the people between Black
! ana Roosevelt Black would have no
/ chance whatever. Roosevelt distin-
/ g,;tshed himself while a member Of the
+ police commission by "A course which
/ brought htm much before the public.
/ and ma3e him subject IF So many
/ caricatures and cartoons tha, his face
/ became familiar all over the city SIX
/ months ago he could not have been
! elected 81 any office. hut his rather ira-
F.. matte connection with the war has
/ brought him in again on the high tide,
ana x 'he politicians let him have the
/ nomination he viii run over the state
! like oue - his own Rough Riders.
! iasSe.ng every vote in sight