The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-07-22
ADMITS HIS CONVERSION.
Hfran MANNER, 81 skaGit County,
Veluntarfiy Joins the Mckinley
and Roosevelt CIub

sBDRo-woOLLEY, July n.-If this
county IL to be taken as citerian there
VIII be scarcely any votes except by Re
puolicans cast at the election this fall
one Dy one are the men who have stood
Tor the brains and backbone OF the Dem
ocrhtic and Populist elements in Skagft
are turning away from the associations
and making open declarations OF their
conversion to Republican doctrines
inc iatest OF these, and one OF the
greatest political organizers Skagit county
ever hao, 10 the late county auditor I'M
der the fusion county administration. HI
ram Hammer, who has voluntarily Joined
the local Mckinley and Roosevelt Club.
ana openly avowed his intention of work
Ing with all his might for the Republican
cause during this campaign.
Mr., Hammer tells why he has taken this
step In terms that leave no doubt as to
his sincerity and his acquisition to Repub-
influence with his large following Among
other reasons which he assigns for the
important step, he says: II am an ex-
pansionist In the broadcast sense OF the
term. and believe that the Republican
party is the only party that will assure
good government for the people Of our
newly acquired insular possessions.
am ana have always been protec-
ZIONIST for reasons not neseccary TO state.
Il believe that a great Oriental war is
Imminent In which our government must
bear its part, and past experience has
shown that In time Of war the Republican
party always wrong
"As an individual my sympathy Ii with
the Beers, believing that their cause Is
= lust and righteous one: that they are
homes. and would be glad to see them
triumph In the end. But for the govern
ment TO interfere, IL occurs TO me. would
be unwise. impolitic. undiplomstio and a
clear violation of the tenets of the federal
constitution, believing with our fore
fathers that II should b the policy of our
government TO avoid all entangiing alii-
ances with foreign powers.
II was an advocate OF tho free and I'M
limited coinage OF silver, firmly believing
that unless we obtained IL, business would
be paralyaed, labor unemployed and that
want and woe and misery would pervade
the land. On the contrary we have found
that the country has never been more
prosperous than during the past three
years. Mortgages are being rapidly paid.
homes are being redeemed. debts OF every
kind and character arc being liquidated.
money Ia plentiful. and interest low, labor
all employed at good wages, the products
OF labor selling for good prices. men, wo-
men and children are well clothed and
well fed-~all are happy and eontented--
and everywhere are seen evidences OF
happiness and contentment, thrift and
prosperity. The. voice Of the calamity
bowler Ia hushed IN the land. and In It's
stead We hear the hum OF Industry. the
song OF the thrifty housewife and the
merry laughter OF children.
In my opinion tho Democracy with have
an Herculsan task to convtnce the labor
ms man that his condition Is not better
than u was three years ago, and he IL
going Ito lot well enough aloha"
Il believe that IL Is the duty Of every
American sitixen to act with political
party that advocates such principles, that
In HIS Judgment, when enacted into LAW.
will result In the greatest good TO the
II believe that In the future as In the
past that whatever legislation We obtain