The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-28
sEATTLE, WEDNESDAY, FEE. rs.


II is fair. proper and necessary 70 ask
OF the conglomerate opposition to Re-
publican control In this city exactly
what policy 1t proposes to recommend
and carry out II II should get into power.
There are many forms OF immortality
In the world. but one of the meanest
is the obtaining of some valuable thing
under false pretences. When II IL
money. the law steps In and Furnishes il
as crime. When IT is Office, It is the
province of the people. as 1t Is also
within their power. to prevent the crime
from being contaminated.
We have no objection TO a fair and
honest campaign directed along any
given lines OF policy. Each party and
each candidate has a right to its opin-
lon, and to ask for the support OF the
voters for such policy AZ 1t may see
twist and squIrm and double and play
false. None has a right to bear gifts to-
the saint In Its right hand and soothing
promises to the sinner In It's left. None
may play a double game without invit-
Ing exposure and being called plainly
before the peoples bar of Judgment.
Certain plain questions have been
asked OF the candidates Of the combine.
which they have not thus far seen at
to answer. That answer the people have
a right to demand and do demand: and
unless IT is satisfactory and unequivocal.
they cannot command the SURFACES OF
the voter because they cannot retain his
respect What policy do these represent
tatives Of political barter intend to put
into effect IL they have the opportunitye
II they have any definite principles,
what are they9 Vague and meaningless
words may answer In party platform,
A municipal administration must act.
To what acts, to what line of procedure
win the composite" party. whose ideas
are as discordant disconnected and IN
harmonious as lts elements, pledge tt
selte
The propriety of this question is wit
messed By the anomalous character of
the campaign that has been begun. II
Is stuitifcation on the face OF IT, 1t is
campaign that pulls a severe counten-
ance and exhales the odor OF sanctity
when II In addressed 60 the stricter ele-
nient, and appeals "a the church mem
her to carry into politics the letter II
the moral law az he receives 1t from his
ing palm 10 the publican. and leers aud
wInks at the doors of deeds unspeak.
able, II invites them both 10 sit In the
same pavilion II promises 70 one the
sterncst realisation oe rigid policy,
and 10 the other the EXTREMIST iaxIty
OF which municipal ordinances are cap
able, II cannot be true 60 both OF these
professions. and the voters Of Seattle
demand that II shah either choose be-
tween them or announce the form OF at
tempted compromise that win govern Il
IL u should be successful at the polls.
1t is rare FOR any municipal campaign
To witness combination as tmpudent
as this. IT is tnconeeivahle that II
should net inspire all the elements to
which it appeals with profound sus-
picion and a stnl profounder disgust
hut IL Is perfectly IN harmony with the
methods by which the fusion was ac-
compfshed and the ticket evolved.
Every man upon It stands must stand
for insincerity. He accepted originally
the nomination of body OF voters an
nouncing certain principles. He con-
scented, when the mixture was made. to
surrender as much of these as might be
necessary To save for himself a chance
Of ONCE. He represents in part men and
measures 20 which he declared himself
originally implacahly hostile. What
wonder. since this was the secret OF the
political combines birth, that it should