The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-01-14
POPUlIIS OPPOSE FUSION.
And the Democrats Cry Out for
Greater Recognition.
WHAT WILL BE THE OUTCOME 2
Election Takes Place in Less Than
Two Nonths-Democrats Meet and
lnsfst ON More Offices, and Popu-
iists Say There should Be q Cut
the CaIl-The silver Republicans.

The local political situation Is rapidly
becoming more animated. The municipal
election is now little more than seven
weeks distant. and the members of the
various organizations and factions that
figure In Seattle politics are beginning 10
best.r themselves
Outside OF the straight Republican party
the interesting question OF the hour seems
TO be fusion or no fusion. Thus far the
probabilities seem To favor a negative
answer TO that question, unless the old
fusion clans can be reassemhled on differ
ent lines from those on which they FORM
eriy proceeded The Populists are taking
radical and advanced position. in which
they seem inclined 10 claim the lions
share of offices and the right TO dictate
the principles and policy on which the
campaign is to be conducted. AS might
Well be imagined, this by no means suits
the Democrats. and Ii is reported on good
authority that the meeting of the latter
On night before last was largely given TO
emphatic expressions Of disapproyal Of
any such basis Of union with the Pops.
Meanwhile It has transpired that a Sc
cret meeting of the Popuist leaders was
held last Tuesday afternoon in the Office
OF w. r. Hays in the Bailey building. Ii
was not meeting of the city central COM
nlttee, nor In fact of any committee at
all, but merely an informal conference.
But IL discussed the question of fusion.
The sentiment that seemed TO prevail was
that fusion on the old lines was out of the
question. One OF the leaders present
pointed out what he deemed the injustice
or allotting, for Instance, to the Demo-
Gratis certain important offices which the
Democrats could moi control In a general
convention. He was not in favor. he said,
OF holding separate Peoples party. Demo-
cratic and Silver Republican conventions.
What he wished was one general conven-
ton. In which all the friends of free silver
would be represented irrespective of their
old party affiliations, and he advocated
making the fight for free silver on that
basis.
But If the Populists are intolerant Of
the consideration heretofore awarded the
Democrats. the latter are no less tired of
allowing the Populists to play the role Of
dictator, and this sentiment found fervid
expression at the meeting of the Demo-
cratic city central committee on Wednes-
day night. Most of those present APP
peared resolved not TO submit to Populist
dctaton, and some Of them have since
expressed a Hrfn determination that faIneF
than yield everything to the Pops they
will flock by themselves.
The only positive step looking toward
fusion taken thus far has been by the
Silver Republicans. who have appointed
committee TO consult with like commit
tees from the Populists and the Demo-
Gratis concerning the city campaign. 1t
is not likely that this committee Will ac-
complish much SO long as the campaign
remains in an initial and formative stage,
I'm which no one of the fusion factions has
defined its position.
The most significant feature OF Paul
d Heirry's recent flop into the Populistic
camp is the fact that he has obtained
control of the Call. Whether he has any
financial interest In the paper Is not
known. W. F. HAYS. who formerly owned
the paper and who sold II TO F. c. Ste
vens stated last night that the terms OF
his sale to Stevens were such that he did
not think IL possible that the latter had
sold to D'Heirry, although he had no
positive information as 10 whether such
transaction had taken place. However
this may be II seems generally agreed that
Mr. d'Heirry is to have editorial control
OF the Call