The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-12-08

The first problem of Importance to be set
tied by the Republicans in the forthcoming
session of the legislature is the election OK
a United States senator, to succeed Senator
John l.. Wilson It Is important, first, to
the state. because Washington is one Of
three states most directly interested in the
expansion OF trade in the far East, and it is
necessary that Washington have men in
the United States senate who are equally
as competent as the senators from Oregon
and California il It desires to hold it's own
in the great contest for supremacy between
the Pacific coast states In the building UP
of our ocean commerce. 1t Is important.
second TO the Republican party. for expan-
SION of trade is one of the most vital SUBJ
Jects to the American people. meaning Sue
cess, prosperity, advancement. Hence the
necessity that a senator be elected who s
capable, faithful, business-like and earnest,
and who will recognize the Republican
party as being superior to individual ad-
yancement.
The candidates now before the Republic
an party for election to the United Statss
senate are: John L. Wilson, of Spokane,
VINO has desire to succeed himself: Thom-
as J. Humes, of Seattle; Addison G. Foster.
of Tacoma, and Levi Ankeny, Of walla
Walla.
Qualifications of Candidates.
AS to business qualifications they line up
like this: John L. Wilson, politician;
Thomas j. Humes. lawyer. mayor of the
greatest city in the etate, aud ex-judge Of
acknowledged ability and worth; Addison
G. Foster. successful business man and one
OF the leading lumber men of the state;
Levi Ankeny, successful banker and one OF
the largest farmers In walla Walla county.
Senator Wilson'S principal occupation has
always been politics. AS soon as his school
boy days were ended, he drifted into public
Office. When he came to Washington, in
the early SOS. it was with land office
portfolio in his pocket. His training has
all been as a politician. and his merit as a
politicians has KEEP, in public office continu-
ally since his arrival His whole aim has
been TO secure office. and. having secured
1t, his attention has been given to so dis
tribut!ng nis political favors as to secure
a continuation in office. He has never
shown desre TO build up the Republican n
party on broad lines; instead he has used
the party name TO perpetuate his individual
power. Whatever support was rendered the
Republican party OF this state to aid in its
upbutiding has been largely used ir his own
behalf. The state organ zatioD has been to
him only a machine that he was willing to
recognize il he was allowed to dominate IT,
The Republican state organization has been
ignored and a Wilson organization has
been attempted. All over the state county
organizations have been treated In the same
manner. When owned or controlled by
hem, they were assisted; when run solely in
the interest OF the Republican party they
were ignored or an;agonizcd. during the
past two years patronage has been dis
psense.1 by Senator Wilson with a free hand
but never at the request or upon the ad-
vice OF the state or county organiza tons
No Republican. no matter how prominent,
was big enough TO secure a public position
without pledge OF future support, So
great was the desire to buiid up Wilson
party in Washington that appointments
have beer known 20 be made only after
formal designations were written and piac-
ed n the hands Of the head of the Wilson
Fariy-resignatIon that we're held 10 force
the election OF men TO the legislature who
would support Wilson in his contest for a
Reelection. The petitions Of county organi-
cations have been ignored in the dis,rIhu-
ton of postoffIces and other minor offices
Throughout the state. and u systematic
plan carried out Of appointing to these
places newspaper men, IN order that their
news columns might be Influenced TO CON
tain lapdatory articles OF the Spokane SEN
ater and 70 cry cut for his reelection.
These are mere statements Of fact AL
ready known 20 all of the leading workers
os the Republican party in the state; :hev
are the practical grounds on which the
senatorial candidacy % SENATOR Wilson
must stand. Hence. the senatorial fight
has been divided On the one side are
thoSe Observation-Disclosures and their
friends-who represent tire Wilson party.
or the other are the aati-V ilser elements
Candidates Opposing Wilson.
The candidates making a agat IN opposs- j.
tioa 20 tae wilson party. are Judge
Higmes. Mr.. Foster and MIR Ankeny. They
represent, the great element of an oppcsi-
ti5n tba: Aas a common cause, each hor,-
ing to gain under the leadership OF .flf~
fsreat candidates Their aght ia cohesive
5oin;2y taey represent go8ay tie great r,a-
5oTty of vhe legis}asGre. Individually.
sAey are important factors, each represent
ing gpoa strength. TIE contest sor SUI
preTnacy among these joint forces will be
tbe deciding skiFHish in the contest.