The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-03-29

Special Dispatch to the Post-Inseiiigencer.
TACOMA. March S-There is once
more sembi1nce OF uAity in the local
fusion ranks. Today leaders are moving
about with a sort OF imitation of actual
vim. and the casual inquiry of any out
slider Is replied TO in a manner 10 lead to
the impression that 50 far as has been
possible the patchwork process has ended
with some degree OF success. The policy
OF let bygonss be bygoEes' seems to be
the one adopted. The powers closest 10
the throne refuse 10 discuss the past
They hin, that mistakes which were made
have been corrected as best could be. and
that from now on the three-sided estao-
Hshment would post banners implying
unity.
While the sickly turnout at their ra,iii-
cation meeting Is admitted by them TO
have been bad sign. they argue il was
result OF the mistakes made early In
the light, and that inasmaca as these err
rors have been overcome and properly adj
justed. no lasting injury win come TO the
alliance from this out-of-season frost
which marked their chief meeting of iae
campaign.
Yesterday it seemed hard task TO ge,
at the facts In connection with the new
deal, IL there has been one, which has ap-
parentiy brought the factions back into
line: today il is impossible 10 secure even
material tip. 1t is quite plain the dam
age done through the exposition of the first
scheme between Candidate Mentzer and
the FaWcett Democrats has taught the
advising board the value Of silence.
NO more. Not for NE, I'm no hog
l know when I've had enough" said a
Iusion committeeman to a post-in;elli-
gencer reporter today You Net. fran
now OH The theory OF silence being golden
truly. | don't know anything-if l. did
| wouldn't tell il. Don't talk agreement
to me at all. I'm member of The com
mittee. close in line with the fathers in
that henceforth / will maintain silence.
even though ii makes an idiot of me. ap-
parent.y-and I'm going to do ii, too. So
from me. I'm dumb"
Inc political hero who made the above
admission is fair sample of the whole,
crew. who. headed by Silver Republican
"A. T.. Mcdonald, state dairy commissioner.
are plainly afraid 10 open their mouths In
Tear that in SO doing they may inadvert-
emily insert their pedal extremties. Part
~ In fear of making fresh trouble for
their candidate, and partly in the hope
that there Ia yet time to recoup losses
and win their fight. the fusion leaders are
carrying out this don t-know-a-thing'
policy.
The election betting, ordinarily in evil
dence from the time tickets are placed
in the field, is wholly absent at this time.
At two or three prominen. resorts e2ec-
ton money is to be found. but It is all
pointed one way-p.aeed to be wagered
on the head of the Republican ticket. The
owner of $500 OF this kind of money sad
today he had not yet secured even a bluff
from the other side. Another sport. be-
lieving the fusionists might be waiting for
odds. said he wanted to see how they
stood and proposed to bet 100 TO -. but
without finding a taker. So far as can be
learned there has not been dollar OF
fusion money thus far TO be found in the
city.
The secrecy OF all concerned az to the
facts of the new arrangement to bring
the Fawcett Democrats into line makes
surmfse and comment all that is 10 be
heard pointing 10 the truth. No one will
deny or affirm anything IN this connection.
but from the lis,less attitude OF the lead
ing spirits in the Fawcett following. as well
as the equivocai talk of the anti Fawcett
fusionists, any written statement telling
of the success OF the present combine
should conclude with an Interrogation
point