The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-06
SEATTLE, FRIDAY. APRIL o.


kepuDllcdn convention ut EleHsburs
was the apportionment of the eight dele
gates from this state to the national
convention fairly among the different
constituencies entitled to representation.
It's other duties were largely perfume
tory. II expressed the unanimous opin-
lon Of the party voters IN indorsing Re-
publican policies and a Republican ad-
ninistration As far as the selection Of
q candidate for the presidency is con-
eerned. the makeup Of the delegation
was immaterial: since the party voters
In Washington are unit In favor OF
the denomination Of President McKin-
ley. Therefore the business OF the con-
vention resolved itself into the naming
OF a representative delegation.
This, we regret 10 say. is what the con-
vention declined to do. We have no
fault TO find with the gentlemen who
were chosen to go 10 Philadelphia ex-
cept that they do not represent fairly
the choice and the wishes OF the party
In this state as a whole. This Is no
fault Of theirs. but 1t shows a serious
and most unfortunate disregard OF duty
Ia those who appointed them. Unfair
meas and injustice. no matter in whose
interest displayed. do not make for party
harmony or party success.
The convention was dominated
throughout by combination which sac
raced ruthiessiy to its own ends all
those who were not parties to It, The
choice OF delegates was thrust from
It's place as the selection of representa-
tive body OF Republicans from this state
and became a game of grab This Is
unfortunate for the party, and Is not
likely to be profitable ultimately to
those who lent themselves TO II. For It
Is a departure from precedent and a de-
nial OF justice which the people do not
and will not approve.
I, must be remembered that the duty
devolving upon convention 20 name
ferent from the work OF one that meets
to nominate candidates for state offices
These delegates are members Of body
which II Is desired and intended TO make
as nearly as possible representative %
all the voters OF the party In the whole
United States. For this reason II Ia the
4e "A
vided into congressional districts. to
choose only the delegates at large in
the state convention The others are
selected by the districts themselves. In
district conventions And as these dts
tricts are constituted on the basis of
population, the principles Of popular rep
rec~ntstion u each locality. according
ta tts voting strength and the prefer
onccs Of Sta yoters. is a sacred though
unwritten law.
II was this law which the combination
forming majority of the Eilensburg
convention saw nt e. set aside In dolng
So Il Was equally forEvtful or riga riless
OF Republican tradition ana % fair play
King county has legitimate cause Of
complaint. because It's request for two
delegate was refused To these q was
fairly entitled not only because " 10
without representation in our national
congress, but also By It's popula ,ion ana
it's vote. which We have seen 20 he the
proper aud Tecognizrd test Ana The
delexates who participated in ava agree
mcnt which led o. this result are re-
sponSible 60 tho people for the sacrifice
ot one-haIf % the representation g.
which this county Is entitled fairly at
philadelphia.
But any local grievance Is insignia
cant when compared with the injustice
done 10 Spokane county, Here Is the
principal county Of Eastern washiugton.
ils political center. a stronghold OF the
Republican party. and one which Ted
the column in the redemption Of wash
layton from Popuiist rule, II contains
the second city Of the state, and its vot-
sss had declared with practical unan-
unity their choice for delegate TO the
national convention. The title Of Mr..