The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-22
Democratic Leader to Accept Sill
yer Republican Nomination.
CLEVER GAME OF POLITICS
Editor of the Times Secured Mr..
Godwin's Written Consent to Be-
come the silver Republican Nom
inee, After He Has Turned Down
His own Party and the Nonparti-
sans-Nr. BIethen to He Boss.

If j. W. Goodwin is the nominee OF the
fusionists for mayor. his closest political
ally will be none other than Col A. J.
Blethen, editor Of the Times and the rec
ognized silver Republican leader Of this
city Mr. Goodwin who is held to be re-
sponslole for the present chaotic state OF
the fusionists in this city, turned down
the nomination virtually offered him by
the nonpartisans. and later refused TO be
the standard bearer Of his own party. the
Democrats. He insisted to his closest po-
litical friends that under no circumstances
would he accept the nomination. As
matter of fact Col. Blethen carries in his
inside pocket Mr.. Godwin's written con-
sent to accept the Silver Republican NOM
nation for mayor. That party meets
again tonight, and unless a new basis Of
fusion is in the meantime agreed upon. Mr.
Goodwin Will likely be indorsed
When Democrats and others supposed to
enjoy Mr. Godwin's confidence make the
statement on the streets and in other
public places that Mr. Goodwin will not
accept the nomination for mayor, the edi-
tor of the Times simply smiles and later
to a favored few. shows them. under
pledge of secrecy. a statement over Mr.
Godwin's signature which reads in sub
stance as follows:
..To Whom IL Mny Concern !,
J.. w. Goodwin, hereby agree to
accept from the silver Republic
can convention the nomination
for mayor.
(signeD -. w. GOODWIN
Mr. Blethen, by this shrewd move, has
made Mr.. Goodwin agree, IL desirable, to
be the nominee of the Silver Republicans
The other members of the fusion party
element would be forced into indorsing
Mr.. Godwin's candidacy, but should he by
any chance he elected, he would as the
hno - 1A OF
sible to Mr.. Blethen. 1t is natural to pre-
sumo, in truth it has been stated that
back of Mr.. Godwin's written agreement
to accept the nomination for mayor from
the Silver Republicans is an understand
ing as binding as the acceptance that in
return for Mr.. Blethen's support Mr. God
win shall, in case Of his nomination and
election be guided in his official work not
by the fusionists, but by the Silver Repub-
Lean editor.
The deal between Mr.. Blethen and Mr..
Goodwin whereby the latter win. II
Mr.. Blethen desires IT, accept the
Silver Republican nomination after de-
clinng the nomination OF the nonparti-
sans. and refusing TO be the nominee of
his own party, under protest of its lead
ers, will undoubtedly create a stir in flu
sion politics today. Such well-known
Democrats as w. II. Moore, James f. Nc
Elroy. +. A. Macdonald, 30 Sweeney,
N1tOfks H. hluEs Nliilafu EidCkman and
Corwin Shank have maintained that the
Democratic party is the only real opposing
party to the Republicans In the city. and
that they are its leaders. They have not
looked with favor upon Col. Blethen's
leadership and have quietly said that he
cut no figure in fusion politics. 'rhe fact
remains" said a politician yesterday,
that the so-called Democratic leaders
failed to force Mr.. Goodwin into the COM
ing campaign. They have held meetings
every hour in the day since the recent
conventions, have tried every move known
TO politicians to make MIR. Goodwin accept
the nomination, and have utterly failed.
Mr.. Blethen in one hour made Mr.. God
win, who says he Is Democrat. agree TO
a>cep4 ,d~ Silver Republican nomination"
II Is stated that the lcal between Mr..
Blethen and Mr.. Goodwin was brought
about last Monday afternoon. Mr. Bleth-
en- sent for Mr.. Goodwin and told him he
must accept the nomination for mayor
Mr.. Goodwin declined, offering many ex-
ouses. Mr., Blethen insisted. Mr. God
win finally said that his secret reason for
refusing was that his business partner
would not stand FOR Il. and that to enter
the race would in all probability mean