The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-21
The Throes OF Fusion.

| and TO whom the difficulty presents It
self are all at sea, wrestling with an
| honest anxiety to do right and a dis
| honest impulse to get into power even
| at the sacrifice OF principle. There are
| terrible wrenchings OF conscience and
| ings. But 1t is by no means certain the
| powers OF good viii prevail, for the un-
scrupulous and shifty are abroad and
| active. The honest partisan finds him.
| self In the midst of tribulation, with the
| beacon which should be his guide TO
| safe port lost and hidden in the dus.
| lator.
OF course. there is no real sympathy
| between these different elements. In
| the beliefs of the more eccentric fac
| tons now calling for fusion there is
nothing which appeals to the average
Democrat of character. And the person
In an alliance under Democratic name
only utter destruction to his basic
principle, that in municipal politics no
party lines should be drawn. More
over in his heart the Jeffersonian holds
the Silver Republican in about as low
esteem as the straight-out, unterrifed
Populist holds the Democrat And all
regard the single taxer with a contempt
that is softened only by pity. There is
no healthful power of attraction be-
tween these dissimilsr organizations.
They all profess to hate what the ma
nipulators style the common enemy"
and yet the respect which each indi-
vidual faction has for that enemy is
really more profound than the respect
it entertains for either of the other
factions with which 1t would fain assoc
ciate.
The existence OF such conditions
makes fusion repulsive 10 those who are
steadfast in their respective faiths be-
cause OF the excellencies therein. Why
should Democrats. anxious to get back
on the solid ground OF their fathers, see
any expediency in withdrawing a man
OF the old faith like John Collins, lust
because some element In no sense DEM
ocratic asks that It be done2 Why
should George Cotterill, nominated in
good faith TO act as the head of dis
tinctly nonpartisan government, he
compelled to step down and out because
the Democracy has insisted upon NAM
ing the candidate for mayor, and de-
mands that the ticket shall be styled
Democratic7 why should there be any
compromise between Mr. Emory. who
has been selected by Democratic con-
vention to run az Democrat, and Mr..
Winsor. who has been chosen by nom
partisan convention 10 run az a nom
partisan? How can there be any recon-
Citation between such antagonistic
forces without an absolute surrender OF
principle by the one or the other7 why
should the name OF Mr.. Goodwin be
brought forward when II Is In reality
an admission that all these earlier pro-
ceedlngs have been mere hocus- pocus.
and that the straightforward plans Of
action were courageously set forth in
the beginning only to be -znRudiated
later on? what business has a single
taxer or silver Republican 20 figure
IN municipal campaign. anyway?
These are the questions which are en-
harrassing honest men who want 10 en-
soy some measure " party success
without sacrificing everything 10 the
greed OF political vultures, or Who de-
sire TO show that party politics can be
eliminated from municipal elections
Whatever the answers there is Ger
tain to be dissatisfaction. Some men
are going 70 be ignored: others viii De
humtrated In The settlement ~ the
difficulties there VIA be shameful yield.
ing where there should have been stout
resistance. and where there might os
compromise there will be dogged ohiec-
tion 10 concession Some may be salts
ned. but more wii be sore To the
scowis ~ those who have been duped
ANA deceived the smiles OF the favored
win bring little OF radiance.
An through it Is bad business, II =
politics in mess II Is an Instance
Of men gone astray under Wild leader
ship Good Intentions have been over
thrown by the persistence 81 the pelf
hunters. I, IS awkward. domoraiiEing,
stale ana Improbable. Just as It Will be
always when men commit themselves 10
low-prino.fls1 conspiracy in which
they secretly have no heart.
The pearl button industry also IS
raising q complaint against the Chicago
drainage canal Il IS said that
on account OF the great number