The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-08-04
AUSTIN NOT A FUS|ON|ST.
MUNICIPAL JUDGE RETURNS TO
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.
Posttton-Ncki nley'x War Admin
fstratfOn Indorsed-The silver
Question Is No Longer an Issue.

Municipal Judge c. G. Austin - no
longer a fusloniss. Although he has been
lmpcrtuned by men in power among the
Populists and Democrats 10 acceo. A rc-
nomination as justice OF the peace on thv
fusion ticket. Judge Austin has declined
to allow his name 20 be longer associated
with fusionism. He has outspokenly de
clared himself a Republican
Judge Austin was elected justice Of the
peace in 1896 on the fusion ticket the plac,,
being awarded by the King county cor
ference committee 10 the Silver Reuu5.ic-
ans. Although he did not seek the nonl-
inat1on. and in fact urged his friends 10
vote for some one else. he was nominated
for the office by a practically unanimous
vote after the first ballot He was elected
by heavy majority, due largely IL ms
personal popularity and his reputation
among the people OF the county foc aoli-
ty and honesty.
Henceforth Judge Austin will WORK with
the Republicans. He yesterday authorized
the statement that he is a Republican ana
that his best efforts In the future wo1,d
be directed to furthering the success IF
that party at the polls. No man among the
fusion leaders has stood higher than judge
Austin. Like many other Rem oliCaas
who were led 10 oppose the party al the
election OF 1895. Judge Austin mas deter
mined that he can no longer ne c,assed az
fusionist n justice 10 himself and his
political opinions. He has not heslteted
either, 10 tell those who asked him where
ne stood that he had determined 10 here
after act entirely with the RepuAliean
party and as a member of that organiza-
ton
A Post-Inte.Egencer reporter YESTERDAY
asked Judge Austin TO make a siatemen.
concerning his political opinions and the
position he now occupies with reference
TO the Republican party. He said.
Il am not looking for office. do not
see how my opinions are OF moment 10
any newspaper. / have no hes:tancy. how
ever. in saying In answer TO your ques-
ton that l am a Republican and ,hai !
intend TO act entirely with that party
In the future. l am not a Populis. j can
not be called fusionist. because [ do not
consider myself member of that party.
! have always believed in the principles Of
RspubEcanisrn-
IF you say anything for me, say that
l heartily indorse the conduct OF the war
by the Mckinley administration. T.t.s g
a time OF war. The country faced an
emergency not equaled. perhaps In it's his
tory, when the alternative of war or dis
honor faced the president. | do not oe-
litst tltdi any president DefoTe Men tnltN
ever found himself In the position Mel<ip-
ley occupied in those trying days follow
ing the destruction of the battleship Name.
Through that critical period when Il mis-
step might have cost this country thou
sands of lives ard Millions Of treasure,
Mckinley calmly pursued his way. his hand
ever on the helm and his purpose fixed.
He has made A magnificent war president.
No man can say otherwise.
During those evpQtful JaVs Of last Win
ter the interests reputed 10 have .lc great
est influence al Washington, urged peace.
On the other side Mckinley found himself
beset by men who wanted the country 10
plunge at once into a conflict with Spain,
ignoring our unprepared condition. Nc Kin
ley received abuse and the most hostile
criticism from both sides. Did he fiach?
Never Time and events that have sine
transpred have justified Mckinley. They
have proven that his course was the wise
one. More than that they have shown
that Mckinley. and he alone has directed
the operations OF this government. lie
was equal 10 the emergency.
Il am a bmetal.ist as | have always
been, but the silver question is not now
the ISSUE. There is nothing however.
that ! am called upon 10 say AT this time.
Nor do l seek 10 influence any person.
You asked me ioT a statement OF my posi-
ton You have it,
Replying to a further interrogatory.
however. Judge Austin said: 1T IS not
nect ssary now TO discuss the causes that
were responsible for so many Republicans
leaving the party two years ago. II will
he conceded | fancy without argument,
that the Republican party OF King coun-
" and the state OF Washington today is
a very different organization from that OF
two years ago. Then there were Couii-
tions which tested severely the loyalty
and zeal of thousands o. Republicans al
over the state. These conditions. / am
happy 10 state, do not now exist"