The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-05-18

A great stir has been caused among
fusion politicians b. the star chamber con
ference Tuesday night between Eugene
Way. Judge E. r. Benson, E ]. Koran
Harry b. Drees and other prominent lead
erS OF the single tax propaganda. 1t has
leaked out that NJ the meeting. which was
held In the once OF Eugene Way. IN the
Bailey building, the goyernorship question
WAS talked OF and plans were Informally
discussed for the ensuing campaign
There are no more indefztigzble work
err In politics than the single takers Clan
nish 70 degree. they are not deferred by
overwhelming defeat from further efforts
to prominently Identify themselves with the
political organizations OF the ptate. The
meetings that have been held thus far are
merely preliminary to the formation OF an
organization which. the leaders hope, will
become factor la the next state conven-
tion-
Peculiar significance is given to the
meeting Of the SINCE tax leaders Tuesday
night on account of the late announcement
OF his candidacy for denomination by Gov.
John r. Rogers. The governor as IL well
known. has little time or patience for sin
gle tax doctrines He IL not an adherent
o. Sra ,ne henry eGeorse party and has been
Robert Bridges. the king pin angle taxer
or the state. 10 no political friend of the
governors on that account.
II 10 not disputed that Mr. Bridges ex-
poets 70 have hand In framing the issues
IA the campaign Of 1850. His alliance with
Eugene Way has not yet been broken. cost
Mr.. Bridges. The land commissioner still!
regards NJ: Way AZ q cunning and adroit
posielcl schemer. II II said. and enc to
whom he can entrust his affairs In King
M. Way agree that Gov. Rogers In not
n..isn for soysrnor in 1900 fns we'll de-
that Mr.. Bridges and Mr.. Way. managing
between them the single tax party OF King
county. will endeavor TO nip Gov Rogers
political ambitions in the bud
II Is reliably reported that among the
single takers the question OF Lewis candi-
dacy for the .governorship has been quiet
TrS discussed Tor the past week or ten days.
day night conference in Gene Ways ONCE,
the Lewis boom was the main topic. Mr.
Lewis haA II is reliably reported. made
certain overtures TO the single takers for
support II H. recalled. in this connection.
that At the death Of Henry George Mr..
Lewis made q speech IN euioEy Of Henry
SELF IN sympathy Herewith.
With the great mass Of Democrats, how
ever. the single tax leaders are not just
especially true Of Mr. Way and of 3. %.
Mclaughlin. late chairman Of the Joint
fusion campaign committee, Mr. McLauxh.
OF on ,s sss out w e handle a. the fusion sampagn
had proceeded. very far, his desire to get
into the newspapers with interviews favor
able TO the single tax plank In the Ellens-
burg platform led 10 his fall from his hirh
position. Later he was heard from IN the
wiids OF Mason county endeavoring to
straiGhfen out the kinks into which the fu-
sion leaders Of that locality had gotten
themselves. He was never afserward prom
insnt In the conduct OF the campaign
These facts, together with Mr. Lewis
well known friendship for the single takers
has made the late gatherings OF the propa-
KAnda leaders OF peculiar fn:eres; fust
now. IL has developed also that the single
takers. by organization and industrious ef.
fort. hope to make themselves the balance
OF power in the next fusion state conyen-
ton and 70 dictate terms to the rest OF that
happy political family.
Mr.. Lewis friends in the Democracy
claim TO be quite well satisfied vAeh the
trend OF events. Gov. Rogers announce
ment OF his candidacy did not surprise us
a particle" said one OF these yesterdav
I'VE have long understood that he would
again seek To head the state ticket. II has
not yet been decided whether or not M
Lewis viii be nominated for Congress or
Tor governor. My own personal opinion IL
that he would have no difficulty in sacur-
sng the guhernatorfai nomination n he
should determine 70 20 after IL. Assurcaiy,
the Democrats OF the state would I'M
measurahly prefer him over Populist."