The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-03-21
STATE OFFICIALS on HAND.
DisGruntlea ut the Outcome of
) the Conventions. ana Using Every
Effort to whip Thea into Line.

Special Dispatch 10 the Post-Intelligencer.
TACOMA. March N.-While Sunday is
ordinarily set aside for rest III political
fights as we'll as business affairs. the Situ-
alton here is such that there seems 10 he
as much work in hand today as would
be noticed any other day In the week.
There is A strong Indication 81 the fusion
lists succeeding in hauling all elements into
line, although the sore factions declare
they will listen 10 no overtures for peace.
What leads 10 the belief that the fusion
forces viii unite il the evidence Of prom
inent state officials pushing the work OF
consolidation and using their influence 10
bring ali elements under the one banner.
There are at present in Tacoma several
or Tie better known managers and man
spulasors o. the statd administration, and
so far can be- learned all are not only
favorable to the fusion ticket bur are
also determined TO leave nothing undoue
10 push il to the front and win with it,
Those here whose marks are to be- seen
IN the makeup of the fusion ticket are
Ernest Lister. secretary Of the state board
OF audit and control: First Commissioner
A. {. Little: State Grain Inspector Geo.
Wight, State Dairy Inspector f.. A Nc
Donald. Ex-Judge j. G. Stallcup, Of the
state board OF audit and control, and {.
NJ yesterday and h. +. Houston. Of the
man, of Seattle. labor commissioner. is
also counted in the list as foremost to-
ward making the ticket here winner; al
so Inspector OF Mines K. II. Norton
These are the chief leaders who are in
touch with the state administration who
are using theiy best efforts TO first force
the fusion kickers" into line and then
10 make stubborn fight to Win at the
polls. Ii is not denied they are receiving
h, a ,,f ntfixai ,a1
The local fight is but side issue with
these people. They are al work on fu~
lures, looking ahead to the fail campaign
and plainly endeavorins to Keep their
forces organized so that the, may know
the strength they have.
on. Of their number today admitted the
fight here Is considered as a sort of last
ditch proposition and that every effort
Is being made 10 rally the forces, and by
winning here counterfeit the damage done
10 the ranks by losses at Spokane and Sc
attic. They are hopeful of whipping the
Democrats and bowling Popuiists into line
by showing how this election affords the
last opportunity for recovering from the
defeats sustained at the other two cities.
Their argument is d strong among
their own class. but thus far 1t seems 10
have fallen rather nat with the "kickers,"
who have received no benefits from state
fusion and who expect none. The Faw
cett following is evidently looked upon as
very dangerous. should 1t remain out. and
every possible pressure is being made 10
swing ii back into the fighting ranks.
Today The Democrats are as loud In de-
nouncing the ticket as on the day of con-
vention, but they do not deny they may
yet be brought back into camp. The whole
issue seems 10 rest with Candidate Mentz-
er, and how far he can be prevailed upon
to coBcede what the Democrats demand
IN return for their allegiance to one they
term All interioper. As matters now stand.
the Democrats want the heads of their
enemies who brought about Fawcett :
downfall in convention This means that
MentZer will have 10 promise to knife the
very faction which made his nomination
possible. From the tone assumed by the
Fawcett following there Is no middle
course possible. They mus: get wha. they
believe is due to them. or will remain ont.
In no event is ii expected they will make
an open fight against the fusion ticket.
bur their opposition will nevertheless be
fully understood. and doubtless fell a
well The better Informed say the de-
mands made by the Fawceit men are
such as TO make II out OF the question
for Mentzer 10 c0ncede them: and that
should Mentzer weaken and fal in with
them he will cause an eruption in his owr
camp by 50 doing.
fusion ticket will be filled tomorrow. The
Democrats do not Yet announce vino, II
any one, has been found to accept The
place of treasurer. and are plainly spar
ring for time. looking TO a more genera
satisfactory feeling in the ranks before
trying to prevail upon one OF their owr
people 10 go on the ticket. II is hinteC
that Fawcetl may yet be prevailed upoT
10 accept the pace bat he declares TO the
contrary, and that he could under no cir
cumstances be made to accept the place
as the ticket is now apportioned.
Republicans are We'll in harness today
and have arranged for All active hight. Al
little differences a. 10 candidates In con
vtDtion are no longer In evidence, ant
Nickeus is credited with being able Il
,oY the full vote OF the party. The ex
cet.ent organization OF the party make:
ward work easy, and the campaign prom
jses 10 be thorough in every detail.