The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-07

Coz. Rogers, Senator George Turner and
ex-Congressnaan Leqpis, GOODNESS ~Dhich
may possibly develop into open anfason-
fsnss.
uRIoUs a. It may seem, local Demo-
~ Gratis are discussing the coming state
campaign with far more interest and
vivacity than they are planning for the
municipal campaign next March. Deailng
In futures? That's what 1t seems. but
1t may be conceded without argument that
the fusion leaders have had to think OF
futures in washington politics for some
time past, with the indications against
change in the programme.
Since Gov. Rogers announcement UNI
der the auspices Of National Commit
teeman White, that he would be
4 candidate for the gubernatoriai
nomination in 1900 ''of the forces compos-
ing the opposition to the Republican par
IT," the state executive has had several
conferences with leaders Of his party In
King county. Since the return Of ex-Con-
gresham Lewis 1t has been given out quiet
IL among the initiate that Mr.. Lewis does
not look with favor upon the aspirations
of the governor for a denomination, ana as
fas as known none OF Mr.. Lewis friends
have lately been heard to enthusiastically
declare themselves
ers' candidacy.
Lewis for Governor.
Some people who have watched Demo-
cratic politics closely declare this means
that Mr.. Lewis will be a candidate for the
gubernatorial nomination against Rogers.
There seems to be good ground for this
statement, which is going the rounds just
now In Democratic circles. 1t has been
steadily maintained by King county DEM
ocrats that Lewis could have been nomi-
mated for governor in 1896 at Eliensburg
had good management prevailed In the
councils of the Democracy
Good political judges say that whatever
aspirations Mr.. Lewis has in regard to
the Democratic nomination for governor
are based on the fact that two years after
the next governor Of the state takes his
seat the legislature will elect q senator
1t has long been no secret that MI
Lewis is shaping his political course hav-
ing in view the United States senatorshp
One Of the Lewis Democrats said yester-
day that Lewis opposition to Gov. Rog-
ers' denomination was based on selfish mo-
tives, as he did not wish to see the gov
ernor reelected, knowing that he could
not expect anything but opposition to his
(Lewis) candidacy for the senatorship:
A plausible story has been in clrcula-
ton among Democratic politicians since
Mr. Lewis return to the effect that II the
ex-congressman did not lead the next DEM
ocratic state ticket, he would attempt to
have nominated some King county Demo-
crat who would be friendly to him. and
through whom he might WELD considerable
influence in the dspensation of state pat
ronage. This is given as one reason for
the newly-formed alliance between MIR.
Lewis and J. w. Goodwin. The latter has
Lewis support for national committee
man, in return for which, 1t is said, he Is
to help the former congressman secure
the support of the King county Democracy
for the nomination for governor 1t Is
said to be Mr.. Lewis plan to either take
the Democratic nomination himself or else
bestow it upon some friendly King county
Democrat like L. c. Gilman or r. A. Nc
Donald, according to the situation as 1t ex-
lists when the ticket is named.
Whatever may be the intricacies of the
plot said to have been perfected by Mr..
Lewis the fact remains that there is now
considerable gossip connecting his name
with the Democratic nomination for gov
ernor. His opposition to Gov Rogers
nomination by the Democracy has been
communicated to few select friends.
This has naturally given rise to consider
able discussion among Democrats as to
Lewis guhernatorial aspirations, reveal
ing the fact that there are Democrats,
and prominent ones. too, who prefer Gov
Rogers to Mr., Lewis as the head of the
Democratic ticket.
Rogers Democratic Friends.
Said one of these yesterday: while
possibly Gov. Rogers has no more friends
among the Populists than Mr.. Lewis,
yet there are as many Democrats who
would support the governor as would ia
vor Mr. Lewis. ] believe Gov. Rogers
will seek the Democratic nomination for
governor when the time comes. The
logic of the situation is to renominate the
governor. name Lewis for congress and
fill up the ticket with Popuists, Silver
Republicans and Democrats. as in 1896,
making the ticket read Democratic tick
et.' s.
''This plan would, in my opinion, Sc
cure as many Populist votes as any. The
Democratic plan will be to save as many
of the straight Peoples party votes as
possible. Gov. Rogers was formerly a
Democrat He Is today, to all intents
and purposes, Democrat, save on the
expansion issue. about which he is say
ing little now"
Populist and Democratic politicians
who want to see an effective alliance
against the Republicans next spring are
complaining of the fact that there is no
unity of purpose between the leaders of
the three factions, namely, Gov. Rogers.
Senator Turner and ex-Congressman
Lewis. 1t was asserted yesterday by a
prominent fusion leader that the cool
ness and distrust said to exist between
these three men has prevented concerted
action In the way of formulating plans
for 1900.
''Rogers would like to be senator in
1908; so would Lewis and. naturally. Sem
ator Turner desires to succeed himself"
said this politician. "This is the real
reason why there is no organization in
the fusion party. The Democrats, as
It now appears, win lead q forlorn hope