The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-09-08
SENATOR GEO. TURNER
GIVES HIS STATUS
IN PEOPLES PARTY,
"Foh&ioiiy Ciassed by Eastern
Newspapers ~ q Populixt-Owes
Allegiance 10 the yafted Fusion

Special Dispatch TO the Post-In,e.gencer.
ELLENsBuRG. Sept. 7--During the de-
loerauons Of the Silver Republican con-
vention a committee Of three was named
10 wait on Senator Turner and invite him
10 appear before the convention. As the
committee reached the door Senator TNIr-
ner opened IL, and entered amid loud APP
plause. He stepped forward and had just
addressed the chair when Chairman De
Mates begged leave 10 interrupt. He,
with many others. he said. desired a pos
tive expression from the senator as to
whether he was Populst. as had been
charged. or a Free Silver Republican. The
senator said
This Is the first time since my election
that have taken the opportunity to make
a specific reply TO many demands OF a like
kind. Belonging to any ope Of the three
great parties OF reform Is preferable to be-
ing member OF the old goldbug Repub-
lican party. Two years ago we united and
marched 20 victory under the name OF the
Peoples party. and the legislature which
elected me was dominated by members OF
that party. Al my request was entered
in the Congressional Record as n member
papers of the East were unable 10 dis
tinguish between the Peoples party Of
Washington and the Populist party. and
constantly referred 70 me as Il Popuiist.
owe my allegiance 10 all three parties. and
I consider 1t an honor 10 belong TO such
an organization.
1.-The Republicans may talk OF wheat.
which is down to silver prices; they may
talk o. the war. into which they had 10 ba
dragged BY the neck, and out OF which
they Will have 10 be dragged by the seat
OF their hreeches, but silver Is the issue.
and 1t must be tough, out ! hope for the
same result as that OF two years ago.
II desire TO compliment the Silver Re-
pubIicans on their splendid appearance and
fidelity 10 the cause OF hi-me;allism."
In closing ne paid tribute TO the late
John Wiley. OF Seattle.
In the Democratic convention. after the
announcement o. the state central COM
nittee. Senator Turner was called for.
but he was not In the hall. Gowan Of
King moved the appointment OF COM
mittee OF three to wait on Senator Turner
and ask for speech. Gowan. Jones OF
Spokane and Heifner OF Thurston were
appointed Jones ('Deep Creek') sug-
gested that arrangements were in progress
for a general meeting at which Turner
would speak. This did not suit Gowan
nor the convention. They wished TO hear
Turner before a Democratic convention.
The committee found the senator and
brought him forward. lie spoke very lit
tie longer than Lewis. saying;
MY friends. Mr. Jones told me Just
now that you were not satisfied at the
prospect OF general speech. but he
warned me not 10 make much of an adj
dress, as he feared I might repeat myself
IL spoke again tonight. lLaughtert
So I am here Just to meet you and make
acknowledgment OF your courtesy. In
fact. I should have felt uncomfortable II
YOU had not invited I have sat On
the Democratic side Of the Zc5-.e---fioud
applause. and voice from ti,eA t,s,ss~s.
Ronald Of King Never get away from:
there. senator'1. Well, al any rate.
have sat there too long not to be glad to
meet with Democrats
He spoke briefly OF what fusion had az
complished, saying that "a thrce-ringet
circus IS better than a ore-ringed circus;
n ts larger and better patronized.' He
compared the breaking OF The Republican
lines two years ago TO the severiGg OF
to,nted snake. now geuniiing It's parts ard
ucting up its bruised head and body TO re-
| new ia attacks.