The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-06-18
SEATTLE, MONDAY, JUNE ~.
The Last Clasps.

The Last O0SpS.
Two silver Republican mass conven-
sions we're held saturday. The most no
ticeable feature Of both OF them was the
absence OF the MAS. The convention at
seattle was attended by fifty people;
that at Spokane was made up of SEN
ator Turner and two others. The chair
man OF the state committee was not
present for reasons unexplained. The
secretary Of the committee was also alb
sent, the reason being that he has re-
signed his position and come out for
Mckinley and expansion. Out OF the
party which came into being four years
ago upon what 1t thought was an eter-
nal principle. hfty-three seem to have
been left to look after the slckiy desti-
niles Of the organisation. In a common
wealth of half q million people half
. hundred were all that could be In.
duced 10 attend public meetings and
make believe they stu have faith in tho
cause OF silver.
The Spokane convention was one of
the most notable nascos In the political
History Of the state. II was called to
sneet in city which few years ago
went crazy over the Is 10 issue. and
which II the center Of great tributary
district that once was strong for silver
and everything else that was Popuistc
and therefore unsound or visionary. II
has been well known that a great many
people Of Eastern Washington have for
ssken the worship Of the forty cent dol
lar, but II was not expected that evil
dence would be forthcoming OF a disin-
<egration so appalling and complete.
Verify. the silver Republican party on
the other aldo OF the mountains seems
20 have vanished into thin air About
all that was left of It was an ex-Re-
publican who turned Populist In order
to get Office and lately has declared his
allegiance 10 the Democracy for the
same reason.
The mass convention at Seattle. In
point OF numbers enthusiasm or senu-
Inc sincerity. was little better than the
Spokane nxzle. Fifty persons. the most
Of them from Seattle and King county.
came together and made "a preieuse OF
demonstrating that they are not mem
eers 81 a dcfunct cause The majority
Was made up OF old-tlme pessimists. dis
gruntlcd ofllcc-seekcrs and weather
worn FOUNDERS Who have been boxing
the political compass for the past quar-
ter Of century. ana have not yet
screwed up enough courage to bop
again. There was scmhlancc II earn
estness and an heroic attempt 10 pledge
fealsy 90 an idea: but d, Was hard work
and the effort pgt forth by veterans.
once ~ a better cause. was uttle short
Of pltiatle II was last gasp which
escltss sympathy rather than cxulta-
t.on.
undSr the circumstances little could
be expectcd from party 50 witAer,d.
and there viii 20 no disappointment
over st@ feeble deylara lions Of principles
vhe platform declares for what II calls
"bsmstaiiisn." and pledsos support 81
RryRa and rowne. The Fupullst nomI-
nees There was not sufficient courage
smoag the ntty men 10 insist on the
is 20 l ratio. and no one dsrvl 90 give
his opinion os the issues which WIFI be
really vital during the coming cam
paisn- A manly aud outspokcn decision
Oh the sreat questions " the day would
have been too much Tor the waning
visOr % the fragment that Is attempt
iEg 20 masquerade as a party. Perhaps
Il Is Just as Well that Il gave forth no
utterancc. No one would have paid any
particular attention 20 tts professions
ana an effort IN harmonic differences
would have been labor wasted. II {.
perhaps tittlng that the demise be peace,
ful and with few parting words. The
party wac begotten in moment Of or.
rer. and II 1t can be allowed to pas,