The Colfax gazette. [volume] (Colfax, Wash.) 1893-1932, 1900-10-12
JAMES HAMILTON LEWIS.
Says Eastern Washington will
Surely Go Republican.

Surely Go Republican.
When eX-COngressman Lewis was in
Minneapolis few days ago he unbos-
omed himself to reporter OF the Min
neapOlls Tribune, with results that will
somewhat startle his fellow fusionists
who know him well. For once in his life
MIR Lewis dealt with cold facts while
talking TO newspaper man. He said
IN effect that Bryan's bOgie Imperialism
had hurt him in Washington and that
there was little chance of his carrying
the state. Moreover, Mr. Lewis hit an
other nail on the head when he said the
people OF this state aud the whole Pa
clfic coast are in favor Of expansion.
I'VE democrats hope for the best, but
are prepared for the worst" said Mr..
Lewis frankly His interview, published
in the Tribune OF September %, is worth
reading. The article follows:
James Hamilton Lewis, ex congress-
man from Washington and leader Of the
democracy OF that state, who took the
place in congress of "Sockless'' Jerry
Simpson as house comedian, was in st.
yesterday, en route to the national
capital. Col. Lewis was 10th to talk Of
the politics of the Evergreen state, evil
IDENTIFY thinking there wac little to be
said for the democracy of that state.
"POlitics are so badly mixed out
there, he said, 81 hardly know what to
say. 1t is a case of King and Pierce
counties being arrayed against each
other, and either county il likely to
prove the balance Of power in the state.
This is complicated by the republicans
having congressman to elect from
Pierce, and the fusion forces having q
governor to elect from the same county.
1t depends on the strength of the two
men. King county will naturally split
on the same issue, owing to the rivalry
between Tacoma and Seattle. Seattle
being the larger city, King county is
likely to win out, but on which candi-
date is something which it would take
prophet TO state"
"DO you think that Bryan can carry
the state as be did four years ago?"
Not as heavy, at least" was the
reply.
lis 1t not n fact that the split up and
factional differences in Washington will
carry the state for Mckinley"
"Well, that is quite probable You
see, we have Ronald in King county
against Cushman, who is the favOrite in
Pierce. Ronald is O democrat and
Cushman is the present republican con-
gresham. IU is a fight between the
northern and southern part Of western
Washington, and have no doubt but
what eastern Washington will go repub-
lican. The democrats have no press
there, small weeklies excepted, to express
their arguments, and in your business
you we'll understand that a political
party is like man without legs when it
has no paper to voice it's sentiments.
The weekIies naturally circulate mostly
among politicians, so We have no way OF
telling the people cur troubles excepting
from the stump, and it gives the repub.
lican party big advantage, and they
are able to take advantage Of it.
The expansion business has undoubt-
edly hurt Bryan in Washington. People
there are in favor of it. 1t is really the
paramount issue on the coast, and it
has already proved a great benefit to
the people of Puget sound, and they can
expect more when peace is restored.
"We democrats hope for the best and
are prepared for the worst. think the
campaign throughout the country is
very doubtful. and | think that McKin-
ley will gain votes on the coast and lose
them in the east, which is not so narrow
ly affected by the Oriental trade"