The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-17
Executive Said to Be Interested
in Delegateship Fight.
LATEST PHASE OF THE CONTEST
Prominent King County Democrats
Who Are Gov. Rogers Political
Friends Arrayed I'm Behalf of Mr.
Hart, ms Against Mr.. Goodwin
Former Secured Support of Men
Who Opposed Him I'm 1s0s.

That the influence Of the personal and
political followers OF Gov. Rogers has be-
come a factor In the fight for the delegate
ship to the Democratic national convention
In King county is the latest phase OF the
Hart-Godwtn controversy. Certain indica-
tions that the governor feels friendly to-
ward Mr.. Hart came to the surface nearly
a week ago. and now the positive statement
is made by the adherents OF Mr.. Goodwin
that among the Hart following will be
found when the battle royal is fought.
several Of Gov Rogers most influential
political friends among the King county
Democrats.
Most prominent among these is National
Committeeman w. n. White. who has an
nounced that he will do all In his power to
help Mr.. Hart win. This announcement, to
be sure, has not been made in a public way,
but nevertheless. Judge Whites friends
have bosn informed just where he stands
IN the matter and Mr. Goodwin knows posi-
lively that he cannot expect anything but
opposition from Mr. White. Another of the
close friends and supporters of Gov. Rog-
ers who is arrayed in favor OF Mr.. Hart.
according to the political gossips. is VIII
liam Blackman, the state mill, railway and
factory Inspector, who Is Gov. Rogers SON.
in-iaw. Time was not long ago when Mr..
Blackman and Mr.. Goodwin were close It'll
iicums" This was Just prior 10 the Demo-
cratic city convention. Since that time,
however. the men who are back OF Mr.
Goodwin in his candidacy declare that Mr.
Blackman has shown unmistakable signs
of desire to oppose his former political
friend and they are now conceding the
support OF the mill Inspector to Mr.. Hart
AZ for Mr.. Hart himself, II In no secret
that he and Gov Rogers are warm person
al and political friends Mr., Hart has been
and ~ yet a starch supporter OF Gov. Rog-
ers. Seldom. II is said has he ever asked
a favor at Olympia that he did not receive
H. For example, II is no secret among
we.l-informed Democrats that George II
King president of the board of regents Of
the state university. owes his appointment
chiefly to Mr.. Hart and Judge White.
While It Is not openly charged by the
Goodwin faction that Mr.. Hart has engaged
&c deliver anything tc the governor, vet IT
II eontcndcd by them that the governor In
pursuance Of his ambition to have himself
rsnnminated with the aid OF prominent
King county Democrats. has sought to Sc
cure the cooperation and support of the
man whom the governor Is said to regard
as tho most influential Democrat In the
county, namely Mr. Hart.
The Hart men are saying nothing when
talked 10 regarding the rumor OF Gov.
Rogers interest In the night for the Demo-
cratic delegateship IT IL not denied by
Mr.. Harts friends however. that he and
the governor are friendly They say that
there IL TO significance In this fact. how
ever.
one Of the interesting phases 81 tho con-
troversv Is the very evident fact that
many NJ the Democratic politicians who,
two years ago. brought about the defeat
OF Lee Hart for member OF the state com
mittee, are now with him In his fsht
against Mr. Goodwin Chief among these
are Frederick Bansman, Mr. Blaekman and
Thomas j Church. There are others Il Is
understood. who have not yet announced
themselves definitely In the matter. despite
the efforts 81 both contestants 20 cau tho
roll among their friends and to place them
definitely on record
This fact II IL argued betrnys the skill
fm powers as an organizer with which
Mr Hart r. credited. II IL because OF his
ability IN this line "a well az his knowledge
or practical politics. that Mr. Hart's friends
arc claiming that he IL certain 10 win
Mr Hart IL generally conceded TO be one
OF the hest political generals In the Demo-
cratic party In this respect hts friends
say, he has the advantage over his rival
Many Democrats who are watching the
progress ot the controversy are much in
terssted IN tho position 10 be taken nv
James =, McElroy. Mr.. Hart and Mr. No
Elroy have for wears worked together IN
Democratic politics. A. vet however
MeElroy has not announced htnself
Claims are made by the Goodwin leaders
thai the prosecuting attorney VIII not sup
Dor; Mr Hart As 10 that matter Mr. No
self