The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-21
Chairman Mclaughlin Refuses to
Call Committee Together.
NE FAvoRs CITIZENS TICKET.
Minority Of the Committee Insists
en Maintaining the Party Name
and 0rganisation IN Approaching
Municipal Campaign = Test Of
Strength Between Factions Will
Come In Electing New Members.


A serious division OF opinion among
members Of the Peoples party city central
committee. which promises at any time to
develop into q violent fractional quarrel. has
resulted from the meeting OF Popuists at
Collins hall last Thursday night. fac
tion of the committee, weak in numbers
but strong in determination to uphold the
organization. has applied to Chairman NC
Iaughlin to call q meeting of the commit
tee for the purpose Of issuing q call for
I regular Populist city convention. The
chairman of the committee has. 1t is
charged, refused to comply with these re-
quests, and has assumed the role or
dictator. in the opinion of the minority.
The reason for Chairman McLaughlin's
action. It is asserted by the minority menu
bers of the committee, lies In his sympathy
for the Citizens Nonpartisan League
movement. 1t is claimed that through ca
eerness to aid in this movement, the
chairman of the Peoples party committee
has quite forgotten his duty to his party,
and the organization Is in danger OF dis
Indignation. At least this is the allegation
Of the minority. who do not approve OF
the chairman's course.
bitter rivalry Exists.
& Chairman McLaughlin's action has re-
suited in engendering a spirit Of bitter RI
walry between the two factions. These
are now struggling for supremacy In the
committee, and during the ensuing week
this struggle viii likely be. terminated by
the opposition permanently in power.
Owing to the fact that many members
of the Populist city committee have left
the city or have resigned, there are a
number of vacancies to be filed. 1t is in
the selection of these new members that
the real struggle between the two factions
win endeavor to secure the election of men
who are favorable to the abandonment OF
the party organization In favor OF the
nonpartisan movement. engineered BY Dr.
Titus. Eugene Way and Judge Richard
The other faction. which is led by John
known Peoples party leaders. will en-
deavor to secure the election of straight
Populists, who will vote for the retention
the approaching campaign.
All Indications point to direct conflict
within the Peoples party between this
ates, including Chairman Mclaughlin. Mr..
Way, 1t will be remembered. is one of the
leading spirits In the nonpartisan move
ment and 1t Is charged that It is due to his
the latter has refused to call meeting of
the committee to fix the dates for the
Populist caucuses. primaries and city con-
vention.
Mclaughlin as Dictator.
A member of the committee opposed 70
Chairman Mclaughlin said last night: IT
have been a member of the Peoples party
city committee for the past two years, but
this Is the first time in my recollection
when the chairman has refused to call the
committee together when any considerable
number of its members desired a meeting.
Manffestly 1t IL the duty of the committee
to name dates for the Populist caucuses,
primaries and city convention. But we can
do nothing unless Chairman Mclaughlin
acts. He refuses to do 50, and we believe
It Is because he wishes the Peoples party
to join with the Citizens Nonpartisan
movement.
I'm taking this position, Chairman Nc
Laughlin has for the time assumed the
role of party dictator. His action will be
overruled by the party at the primaries.
depend upon that"
During the ensuing week. an effort will
again he, made to call the Peoples party
committee together. Both sides express
confidence. in the outcome The future ac-
ton Of the committee in view of the pol
itical situation will be watched with in
terest.