The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-11

been observable at any Time ssslcs 2os-- ~
causes are given for this state o. auaars-
The more important undoubtedly Is tnas
after four years OF unprecedented hard
times under Cleveland; when almost every
business was unrernUnerat3ve. and ali n
dustrial activity lang1sshed. the past year
has Witnessed the emergenee OF the va
Yiors communities from condition almost
of bankruptcy to that Of tremendous pros
pevity. The adiectives are large, but are
absolutely necessary to describe existing
conditions People who in 1885 scoffed az
the Republican cry OF Mckinley. the adj
vance agent of prosperity" and VINO n 1881
ascribed betfsred times and the revival IN
ali classes Of business TO the accidental
misforrunes Of others, are now willing 70
admit that the principal agent in produc-
ing the Improvement noted. has been the
correctness OF Republican government the
cries, and the wisdom OF the administra-
ton in putting those theories into imne-
date and vastly beneficial effect The
other cause for increased political interest
IS the discovery by al! classes that re
form" parties placed in power are FREE
QuentIy either incompetent or dishonest.
In every county OF Eastern Washington
both these weaknesses are alleged against
the Populist administrators of county az
fairs. As consequence OF this openly exc
pressed opinion of contempt and distrust.
it IS confidently predicted that the Novem-
Der elections will disclose change of sem
timent unecuaied in past state and county
elections In Washington.
This change of sentiment Is especially no.
tceabie N Whitman, the principal agricui-
turai county Of the state. The election IN
1895. showed a total voting population OF
5.eoo, Of which the Republicans polled Ina.
Populists $3.50, and Democrats and Silver
Republicans, with an independent county
ticket, 1906. The coalition Of the last
named silver forces was only possible in
1895 by reason Of the presidential election.
II Is no longer possible to combine these
two factions. Most of the silver Republi-
cans have returned to their cd allegiance,
while many OF those who, during the past
twenty-five years. have expressed pride In
the name Democrat, freely admit their IN
ability to imagine the re-establishment Of
the Democracy as an important political
factor. They do not think that the term
Democratic party win not be the watch
word for political organization, but that
the former principles that made up its plat
form, the articles OF faith to which Demo-
Gratis subscribed. will no longer be advo-
Gated by party OF that name. As a con-
sequence they no longer regard themselves
as Democrats. Indeed many OF them state
their intention OF uniting with the Republic
cans, while many others express the inten-
ton OF laboring for the success Of the Re-
publican legislative and county tickets this
fall.
Democratic county convention has been
called to meet in Colfax on May 1e. the call
reeft.ng that the convention is for the pur-
pose of selecting delegates to the state con-
vention. choosing a new central commit
tee and the nomination Of full county and
legislative ticket Not all these avowed
purposes will be carried out. From all In
dications no legislative or county nomIna-
lions will be made. 1t is almost an assured
fact that resolutions In opposition TO any
plan OF fusion with the Populists will be
adopted, despite the fact that the profess
sional ofice-seekers IN the party ranks are
eager for combination with the Peoples
party. But the great body OF Democratic
voters are determined that Populist control
oecouuty affairs shall not be continued by
any action Of theirs.
Although the Democrats are bitterly on
posed to fusion with the Populists, many
would gladly welcome the nomination OF
county ticket by the Republicans, with one
or two Democrats among their number.
This idea is advocated by many Republi-
cans, and the suggestion is made that when
the Republican convention does meet that
the candidate fer auditor and perhaps one
member Of the board OF county commits
s.oners shall be Democrats--not Democrats
selected by the Democratic organization as
candidates OF that party. but nominated by
the Republicans as good citizens who rep
resent considerable proportion Of the
eounty's population. whom it is desired
shall join IN an effort once more to place
the county Affairs in the hands of those
competent to manage them acceptabIy.
Many Republicans think such an action
would be construed by the Democrats as an
invitation not TO be refused.
The Populist county convention has been
called for May 81, when a full ticket will be
placed in nomination. From present inaica-
lions 1t seems evident that the Populists
will also strongly oppose any form OF fu
sion, believing that they can win alone. and
not being DESTROYS of dividing the offices
with the Democrats. There is this great
difference between the two parties. Inc
Populists are almost unanimous in onpo-
sition TO fusion IN both county and state
Delegates to the state convention will be
Instructed TO oppose fusion. With the
Democrats, however. although a large ma
jorisy will oppose fusion in the county. the
majority for fusion In the state VIII be al
most As large. Many Democrats have the
idea that by uniting with the Populists In
another state campaign the hold OF Pom.
hstic doctrines upon the mass of the
voters Of that party viii be weakened and
In 1900 al the reform" and "sslver" forces
Will be ibefSsu IN orc democratic whole
The Republican forces In the county ara
not doing much talking, but the leaders ex-
press confidence In a large increase in the
party vote next fall. Prior TO 1894 The nor
NAL strength or Republicanism IN tho
county was about 2.5s1-a clear majority
oves the Democrats of perhaps 900 Re-
puhlicans leaders believe that the marty
vote this fall viii, be fully this large ara
that success VIII derend almost entirely ~,
Democratic party action. A fusion OF the
Populists and Democrats on the county
ticket would result IN driving away mem
bars OF both these parties. But without re-
gard TO the action OF other parties. con-
tidence Is felt that three Republican mem
hers OF the legislature will be Elected this
fan, state senator and two represents
atives. from the Seventh district.
Waila Walla. the principal county af
Southeastern Washington. gives promise 81
returning TO Its place as a reliable RAp,,h-
lean community. The county fusion In 1895
that resulted in eIecting most Of the Of
f3cers and four out Of five members Of the
legislature has not proven satisfactory To
the fusionists in Its results. walla waifa
Is peculiar in this. that Populissu. ss seen
In our other counties, is not found there
- al AVS Ia