The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-08
He Dictates Formation Of Seattle
Democratic Club.
NOT 4 VOICE IN OPPOSITION.
Jay Q. Allen, Alfred Hattie and VIII
laam Biacknan, All GeawiA Men,
the Leading spirits OF the ORGAN
isation-Cerwin .. shank, . God
via Henchman. Elected PFesideAt
-other Omcers Are for 0odwin.


last the friends OF John w. Goodwin con-
trolied every action OF the assembly. and
that leader himself was present to see
that the Job was we'll DONE although he
occupied q seat In the rear OF the hall and
only once talked out loud in meeting.
@. A. C. Rochester. chairman Of the city
central committee called the meeting to
order. He stated that the central commit
tee had reached the conclusion that the
best interests of the city in the coming
city election demanded the early organixa-
ton OF q Democratic club. whose ramifica-
tons should extend throughout the city.
Then Mr.. Rochester asked the pleasure Of
the meeting.
jay G. Allen, a thirty-third degree God
white. quickly rose to address the chair.
and nominated Mr.. Rochester. who IL also
member in good standing Of tho Goodwin
faction. for temporary chairman. The
nomination received half q dozen seconds,
ana Mr.. Allen put q motion that Mr..
Rochester be declared elected The motion
was carried unanimously. ~
William Blaclsman, who also stands very
close to Mr.. Goodwin, then made . motion
that committee be appointed to draft
plan Of organization at once. Somebody
suggested that q temporary secretary ought
to be elected, and Mr. Blackman, who still
held the floor. nominated A. b. Ernst. an
avowed follower OF Goodwin and an original
unanimously elected
Then Mr.. Blackmsn renewed his motion
for the appointment OF q committee to
draft plan Of organization. 1t was car
ried. The chair appointed Mr.. Blackman
and Judge Alfred Battle. whose fidelity to
the leader II unquestioned. and J. NJ. Gep-
hart, whose factional alignment is UNI
known. to draft the plan. They retired to
q side room, and while they were gone
Judge r. A. Mcdonald. Fred Rice Rowell,
Bo Sweeney and Prosecuting Attorney Nc
Elroy made speeches.
Goodwin Man for President.
When the committee returned. after q
very few moments of elaboration, it pre-
scented the following plan Of organization:
Election Of q president, two vice presidents,
a OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES and a sergeant-at-
arms: appointment by the president OF an
executive committee Of five, whose first
duty should be to draft constitution for
the club. to be presented at the next meet
ing.
The report was adopted and the chair
called for nominations for president. Joe
Livingston nominated Bo Sweeney, and
Anthony Corcoran nominated Mr.. Roches-
ter. Then Alfred Battle. the orator of the
Goodwin contingent. took the floor. and In
q short speech. in which he extolled the
abilities and virtues Of hio candidate, nomi-
mated Corwin 9. Shank.
The other candidates, recognising appar-
entity that the fiat of the boss had gone
forth. declined simultaneously. and Mr..
Shank was unanimously elected
Rochester nominated John 8. Jurey for
first vice president, and he, too, went in
without q dissenting voice. Jay C. Allen
quickly followed by nominating Fred Rice
Rowell for second vice president, and he
was elected.
Blackman nominated A. b. Ernst for the
So
He was elected without opposition. H. c..
Nissen was made sergeant-at-arms. He,
too. is an avowed follower Of the Goodwin
faction. Nissen made Characteristic
speech, and said that while he was a DEM
ocrat he favored fusion.
1--WE should remember that there
aren't enough Democrats to knock the Re-
publicans OUT" he declared.
President Shank asked for a recess. dur
ing which, he said. he would select MEM
bers Of the executive committee. The re-
cess was taken. Mr.. Shank was observed
to be closely engaged in conversation with
leading members of his faction. After the
meeting was called to order again, Mr..
Shank announced the following executive
committee: William Blackman, Alfred
Battle, Jay c. Allen. Bo Sweeney and Fred
Rice Rowell. All are known to be devout
believers in the idea that ]. w. Goodwin
should succeed Hon. William H. White,
who was conspicuous by his absence last
night. as national committeeman for the
state of Washington, and 1t is believed that
the efforts of each of them win be directed
with an eye single to the attainment Of
that object.
1t was decided to hold the next meeting
next Thursday night. and then Joe Liv-
ingston, who had been fidgeting in his
chair for some time, took the floor
'Mr. Chairman" he said, 'there Is a
prizefight tonight, and every true Demo-
crat wants to see 1t. I move we adjourn"
Mr.. Lvingston's sentiments seemed to
meet with general approval, for the motion
to adjourn carried without dissent
Favor Democratic Ticket.
The sentiments OF the orators who adj
dressed the meeting during its early stages
seemed to be in favor of a straight Demo-
cratic ticket at the spring election. Mr..
McElroy was the only one who seemed i'm
bued with the fusion idea
Judge Mcdonald the first speaker, de-
clared himself proud OF the fact that he
was born In the town where Stephen A.
Douglas won his fame and where W. J.
Bryan was educated Then Judge McDon-
aid came down to local matters and declar-
ed himself for reorganization of the party.
II believe that is what this meeting is
for" he declared. I'VE are here to re-
habilitata the grand old Democratic party.
/ do not care IL We are defeated. What we
want is to build up the party. Besides, II
we organize believe we will carry the
city next spring."
Fred Rice Rowell and 30 Sweeney fol.
lowed on similar lines. 1t remained for
Mr.. McEroy to sound the only discordant
note of the evening.
I'VE must recognize" he asserted, 'that
there Is a powerful organization in this
city which has for its main object the ac-
complishment Of municipal ownership. II
we united with these people In the nomi-
nation of ticket even II 1t should be a
citizens ticket. which we could elect, we
would be performing high duty for the
best interests Of this city. I am in favor
of this city operating its own light plant
but am not prepared to say that I favor
the municipal ownership of its street rail-
ways"
Mr. McElroy closed with a fervid denun-
citation OF the city council for purchasing
Woodland park.
Ex-Congressman Lewis was not pres