The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-08-14
H||RSI|N COUNTY
TIRED Of FUSION.
Experience With Populist
Rule Has Been Enough.
LEADERS ALL IN A ROW.
officers of the State Administra-
tion Anything But Harmonious
state Land Commissioner Has S-au
HE Discordant Song Of single ysA
Uuttl He 10 Unenslurahie-Ths
Governor Has Namberlcas Orpc-
nents Because of Alleged HAD
Faith In Vetoing the Capitol Esll-
RepubIicann CONFIDENT OF . Clean
Sweep at the Coming EIection-
Weir's Candidacy for CougreaA
Special staft Correspondence.

OLYMPIA, Aug l3.--The fusion party :
In the county OF Thurston - reposiag on
a bed of thorns and tho different elements
that comprise the happy family are hop
ing for the daylight Of convention day
that they may take a survey OF their sur
roundings Their position IS uncertain
and uncomfortable, and II occasions
neither peace OF mind nor confidence. Be
tween the ofYice-seekers' itch that covers
them, the fellows with the vaccine virus
OF single tax that they are trying 10 ipoc-
ulate into their bed mates. and the bed
sores OF party corruption and broken
pledges that make rest impossible. their
lot Is not at all enviable. The happy
family is the personincatlon Of distrust
and dssanecton. and each is waiting for
the chance that shalt present itself when
the other needs his assistance.
There is no love lost between the gov
ernor and the treasurer. the secretary OK
state. the auditor anu the land commission
er. There was time when Gov. Rogers
was as good Populist as airy OF them-a
middle le-of-the-roader-bu his follow serv-
ants Of the people now refer 10 him as mere
iy fusionist. Some OF them ara single tax
men, some Of them are tiatists. some pure
middle-of-the-road Pops. and some are in
the opinion OF the others. political out
casts Under the same roof are men who
desire fusion and men who do not: men
who see the governor watching a senato-
rial toga, and who are ready to reach for
club 10 swat HIN over the head IL he at
tempts It. men who are ready to oppose
the election OF two Popul.sts TO the state
supreme bench, and men who Will make
every effort TO force Democratic senator
upon the Eslensburg convention for In
dorsement. II is. In fact. beautiful en-
semble OF fusion harmony and fusion
government"
In the county government II In much the
Republicans are Jealous of each other.
Each desires a denomination and fears tho
otner is putting up some scheme to rob him
of his political deserts. The Silver Repuhii-
cans. robbed OF a successor to thslate Judge
Charles Aver, are suspicious and Jealous
SO much 80 that they have refused 70 90
into a county convention 10 nominate coun-
~ officers until after the state convention
is held. fearing they will not be given prop
er recognition at EAleneburg and desiring
to hold themselves in readiness TO demand
their rights In the county or bolt.
But the greatest element OF discord Is
Bob Bridges. the state land commissioner.
ID l.
single takers. every other ISM becomes
subservient TO that. lie has forgotten his
title OF 'reformer' under that OF single
taxer. and not content with plotting to in
culcate single tax methods into the con-
troll and management OF our state lands.
he has infused II into the county govern
ment II is well known that Bridges ana
his allies forced on the last fusion Iegisia-
ture the law exempting $50 personal prop
erty improvements on real estate. knowing
1, would be declared unconstitutional, with
the sole purpose Of anuuiling all tar ex-
enptlons and forcing the people 70 vots on
a proposed amendment 20 the state cons.i-
tuition embracing single tax theories in our
method Of taxation. II Is also charged
that under the direction OF Bridges the
p0puiist assessor ot ThUrston county plac-
Ell enormous valuation on property In the
county for two reasons. first. TO make .
OK levy and deceive the peopls. and. sec
ond. TO force the people to fail In with his
teachings OF single tax and aspess lana
values only.
Mr.. Bridges has taken control Of ths
county popuilst organization. After the
death Of Henry George. single tax clubs
were formed and Bridges was never -
busy In serving the state tina. he could not
address them. He turned the county Offices
into single tax hea 5Quarters. Citizens who
came in 10 pay their taxes were regaied
with a.ngle tar in quantities TO quit. ara
when they Jeff were loaded down with
single tar literature. Populiss Organizations
were abandoned for single tar organ'xa-
tons. and now Mr.. Bridges spends . por-
ton @: his tire trav@ins through the
county making speeches FOR single tax.
The result - there are said 70 be two fac.
flof.s q Popuists~ons favoring and ne
other opposing CITY popunsss who desire
to have chance TO secure farms cheap are
a-7..s~s .asA - tSs Thuzaian eaRaky -