The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-16
Hold a Secret Caucus to Discuss
Union of Forces.
ALL ACTION is POSTPONED.
VIII Wait Until After the silver Re-
publican Convention IL Held Next
Mondny-B. Il. Bennett Declares
That the City Central Committee
Cannot Legally Surrender the
Name of the Democratic Party.

A secret meeting OF fusion leaders was
I held last night with a view toward BRING
| ing together the warning elements, ana II
possible to bring about the nomination of
a union ticket Everything done at the
meeting is shrouded in more or less inys-
terry. 1t was attended by Alonzo Hull. Dr.
II. +. Titus, Prosecuting Attorney McEl-
roy, S. C. sCalderhead. ]. w. Goodwin, 1. J..
Church and other representatives of the
several factions that 1t is desired 10 get
together. and the general understanding
is that it was held in the Dexter Horton
bank building.
After the meeting was over II was stated
by those who attended that no action look
ing to a union of forces would be taken
until after the Silver Republican convention
meets next Monday. Several OF those VINO
were present denied that any discussion as
to the availability of candidates mad been
entered into. 1t was decided, however, to
recommend TO the Silver Republicans to
nominate a full ticket and take chances
in securing representation on general
fusion ticket to be agreed upon later.
The Silver Republican faction yesterday
brought out Col. George g. Lyon as may
orally possibility. He was suggested as Il
man who could unite the warning factions.
but those who were present last night de-
MED that either his name or that of j. w
Goodwin. the Democratic favorite. had been
discussed or even mentioned.
A proposition has been under consider
alton by members of the Democratic city
central committee by which 1t was hoped
that it might be possible TO avoid the
direction of the convention that the
ticket named with Mr.. Collins at the head
be filed as the Democratic ticket. This
proposition was to have a petition cir
culated among the delegates to the con-
vention addressed to the committee, con-
senting that the committee exercise its
discretion in the matter.
That this matter was taken under adj
visement and discussed by members OF
the, committee for several days, there is
little doubt. II was stated last night.
however. by prominent members of the
committee that the plan had been dis
carded. Nevertheless there Is known to
be some sentiment in its favor among
members of the committed
Several attorneys who are posted
the election laws stated that In their opin-
ion the committee could do this by con-
sent of the members of the coWeption.
Others, however. took an opposite view.
declaring that the committee had no
power to recognize any petition from
members of a convention which had pass
ed. out of existence. BY one attorney it
was stated that the law did not recog
nze party committees.
b. T., Bennett ex-district attorney for
Alaska, after examining the authorities
and the law, gave the following opinion
concerning the matter yesterday:
1.-THE late Democratic city convention
having performed the duties for which
1t was called and appointed a committee
TO do all proper and necessary things till
another regularly called convention. did
for one of the great political parties what
was intended by our republican institu-
tions. The resolution stating that the
label should be the Democratic ticket was
surplusage, and simply expressed the
love and respect which the members OF
the convention had for the Democratic
party.
IF the committee can change the party
name in any particular II can change IL
in all and there is nothing to hinder Il
from labelling the ticket the Republican
ticket. The results which would follow
from such course are apparent. A
small party of conspirators could over
throw the cherished desires of ma1oriey
OF our fellow citizens. Government by
tho people would be superseded by oli-
garchical rule. The fact that the COM
mittee was empowered by the conven-
ton TO do those necessary things which
the convention might do IL acting, does
not empower the committee at its own
sweet will TO pull down candidates and
put In Its own hirelings. and above all
to change the party name.
1T empowered only to perform
those things for which the Great Demo-
cratic party exists. and for none others.
Neither would IL make any difference II
all the members of the late convention
wanted the committee so 10 do. as they
are members now OF no convention. the
late convention have adjourned sine die.
THE common law. the crystallization OF
centuries of the noblest ideas of man,
says there Is no wrong without remedy
and If any such revolutionary course
were pursued II could undoubtedly be
righted in the proper form.