The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-09-03

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for the United States senatorship and will
appear before the next legislature, in the
event that that body should have fusion
ma ority. as a candidate for the toga now
worn by Senator John l.. Wilson.
Mr.. Lewis himself denies that ne has any
senatorial aspirations at this time. He an
nounced on his return from Washington
that while ne sought no office, he would
make the race II renominated for congress-
His friends for him specifically and vigor-
onsly deny the statement that has been
freely made OF late that Lewis would be
il the race for senatorshp If the fusion
lists elacted a majority OF the legislature.
The Spokane Democracy has taken an
advanced position relative to the Lewis
senatorial campaign. While Mr.. Lewis
himself has been engaged in holding mass
meetings and receptions, and declaring
that his political ambitions would be sat
isfied fully by his being returned to con-
eress. the Democrats of Spokane have
passed a resolution indorsing his candidacy
for senator. This action is viewed as
trifie premature If not abortive. by Mr..
Lewis close friends and political advisers.
Collectively and individually they declare
that the action OF the Spokane convention
was taken without any authority from Mr..
Lewis and in fact against his wish: that he
is in no sense a candidate for the senator
ship and that he will accept renomina-
ton and stand for reelection to congress,
leaving the way clear for the selection OF
a Populist should the legislature be carried
by the fusonists.
Lewis Italian Hand.
While all this seems perfectly clear and
easily understood, it is alleged by men who
claim TO be posted on the daily develop
ments in political circles that Mr.. Lewis
wrote to a number OF influential fusionists
before ne left Washington at the adjourn
ment of congress. asking them for their
opinions as 10 the outlook for fusion sue
cess In this state, with especial reference
to the legislature, and in a general way
keeping himself in touch with the party
workers and influential men among the
fus.onists with the sole purpose, II Is
claimed, of announcing himself as candi-
date for senator should a prop.tious mo-
ment arrive and the conditions appear IA
vorable.
In spite OF Lewis profuse deniais polite
fans throughout the state believe that he
is personally responsible for the present
condition OF affairs and the widespread be-
lief that he eove;s the senatorship. The
belief is general that Lewis is secretly plan
ming 10 put Rogers out of the race and 10
enter IL himself at the proper moment.
Politicians among Democrats, Populists
and Silver Republicans freely predict the
early formal announcement that Lewis viii,
stand for senator. They affirm that he Is
al present busily engaged in planning the
overthrow of his friend Gov Rogers.
Two Meetings Within "a Week.
/; is recalled by well-nformed fusonsts
that before Congressman Lewis had ar
rived in Seattle certain people began
preparations for a reception in his honor
on large scale. a simple reception in
his hotel was not sufficient. An open-ar
mass meeting. followed by general hand
shaking and a few days later by another
mass meeting. with brass band trimmings
was provided by Lewis friends. and for a
purpose. according TO many politicians. In
fact. recent events have induced many
people 10 believe that Mr.. Lewis has for
n1aly launched his senatorial boom, al
though he has not labeled it. and that he
stands ready to proclaim his candidacy as
soon as he is assured that the suspicious
moment has arrived.
boom OF Congressman Lewis comes a
diunution in the hopes OF Judge Moore
and National Committeeman W. II. White
for the supreme iudgesnip. II was given
out yesterday by members of the Demo
cratic delegation TO E,lensburg that no
names would be presented by the delega-
ton before the convention for the supreme
iudgeships. In fact it vas stated by men
on the delegation known 10 be on fnti-
mate terms OF political and personal
friends hip with Congressman Lewis that
no attempt would be made by the King
county Democrats 70 prevent both Of the
supreme 5udgeships from being bestowed
or Populisis.
WHAT little controversy there was be-
tween The friends of Judge Moore. who
has heen regarded as a sincere aEDjraHt
for the ernIne, aud those Of Congress
man Lewis. has disappeared. and in i1s
pace IL Lewis complete ascendancy in
the dels cation.
!; Is admitted among all fusion noliti-
clans that the present condition 0: the
wis senatorial boom IS interesting. and
that II is 10 be taken into account as ore
cf the factors In the approaching cam
paisn. The Willingness on the part o: the
Democrats 20 give both The supreme Judge
ships n the Popu'is5s & regarded In scme
quarters an evidence OF Lewis grow
ing ambitions To f1ll seat il he senate.
This Is on She theory that while now tse
Democrats aVowef}ly diSClaim any right 10
the seaa torsh3p. they may be placed iE q
position Of saying ~ the PoDu.iSts that
the Democracy IS being sighted II two
Fopglists are nominated for the supreme
bench. and TINT this would be- followed
hy an open claim for the seuaGorshtp Oy
the friends - Mr. lewis
Lewis friends know TIA. t1sicnlsts ger
orally throughout the state are beginning
t. recognize IN him an asfarart fSr tila
relationship THIS does not prevent the n
from denying In The strongest language
and With a great multiplicity Of phrases
ta9t Lewis hopes 20 succeed Senator VII
son- The logic q the political situation
demands the denomination ard reelection
of Mr. Lewis" said enc of TIE congress-
man friends II am sure thar he Is rot
autAorlEing thege constantly apps airing ru-
a2ofS taaf he wants - b. senator Such a
ta}1E would greatly prejudice the faSFtn
pavement i i wcala net actually Result
IN OR defeat. HIS friends would discount
teaance anything IKE an open or even So
cree avowal % senatorial Ambitions on his
part They would look upon Il as dan
eercas menace - fusion success The Pop