The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-08-22


arena OF fusion state politics. The lead
ers of the three divisions which hope to
form once more the fantastic combination
denominated as the fusion forces" are
working at cross purposes. No one can
ddate for governor can honestly claim
to be In the ascendancy. II IL the opin-
ion OF conservative politicians in every
camp that the fight Is between a dark
horse candidate for the head OF the flu
sion state ticket against the field. with
the betting odds heavily against the field
The savage attacks on A. v. Fawcett,
Democratic candidate for governor, from
Pierce, form an interesting feature Of
the situation. These attacks have. 1t IL
asserted. emanated from the camp of
Gov. Rogers. whose principal fight was In
Pierce county, his home. His opponent
succeeded in securing a solid Democratic
delegation from Pierce as well as Pop
ulist delegation. whose right to sit in the
state convention Is contested, however,
by the administration Populists.
The backbone OF the opposition TO the
denomination of Gov. Rogers among the
fusionists of the state had its origin in
King county. None other than james
Hamilton Lewis Is responsible for the big
fight that is being waged on Gov. Rogers,
not only in Pierce and King counties. but
throughout the state. Whether Mr.. Lew
Is hopes to be himself the nominee OF the
fusion forces for governor, or asplres 10
fill the empty position OF dictator of his
party. is a question over which the local
Democrats are as hopeiessly divided as
on other issues connected with the APP
preaching state convention.
Lewis Many Piana.
1t il absolutely certain that there are
many Democrats In King county and the
state who believe that Mr.. Lewis has de-
liberately planned all along 10 capture the
governorship and that his vehement de-
clnation OF honors unprotected in his
historic letter to Chairman Mallory was
merely an imitation OF the well-known
attitude of the 'possum. an animal ma
tive TO that section of the country from
which Mr.. Lewis came.
Politicians say that no one who has
ever been associated with Mr. Lewis in
political matters has accused him OF sim
certify. This fact In taken into consider
alton by the able fusion strategists OF
King county who are wasting astonish-
ing quantities OF gray matter In an en-
deavor to find a solution to the guber-
material problem.
Mr., Lewis is known to have a well-or-
ganixed personal and political machine.
the head and front OF which IL Chairman
Mallory. OF the Democratic state central
committee. Under the fostering care OF
Mr.. Mallory, aided by Secretary Goddard
until lately Malony's nnderstudy, q mum.
Der Of candidates for governor have been
developed throughout the state with the
result that no one OF them has a suffi-
Client following In the approaching state
convention TO cut out pathway for the
rest to follow in.
Such a condition of affairs. II Is con-
tended, is the very thing desired by Mr.:
Lewis. The congressman. as Is well
known, has the habit of posing as the
friend OF the victor In 4 political con-
iroversy. II is contended by shrewd
judges OF fusion political matters that
Mr.. Lewis first desire viii be to sat
isfy his perennial ambition for office and.
failing that. to assume the position OF
naming the winner for the purpose Of
maintaining his own political preserves
against encroachments on the part OF his
enemies.
Whether Mr. Lewis plans to capture
the goVernorship for himself or to play
into the hands OF the successful aspirant
is the question which IL bothering the To-
cal fusion managers. The triumph OF J.
w. Goodwin over the Hart forces last
spring and the recent Endorsement Of ].
T. Ronald for congress against j. +. Nc
Eiroy are claimed by Mr.. LAWS as his
personal victories With these arguments.
the ex-congressman Is endeavorfng Ii ~
asserted. 10 have himself exploited as
compromise candidate. with the reserva-
tion that IL the votes are insufficient. he
can decline the nomination before he
sustains defeat In the convention.
Fusion IL ON the Wane.
The result OF all this maneuvering will
convention, with the chances OF An effect
i've Welding Of the elements growing dim
ner day by day Just at present Tie ST.
uation IL one which is favorable 10 a dark
horse candidate for governor, In thss cat
cgcry may be considered Mr. Lewis Neal
Cheetham. of whatcom: GhurEt0n DAN
isis. OF Clarke. Jere Netsrer. of Whateom.
and c. =. Voorhees,. OF Spokane. Gov
Rogers and Angelo Vance Fawcett. OF
Pierce county, are the only aggressive
candidates.
Mr.. Chceiham viii be satisfactory 20
that wing OF the Democracy which has
embraced IN large measure Tho tenets Of
Populisrn. and which, besides favoring
the initiative and referendum. r. not hos
tile to the slngle-tax theory. Mr.. Cheet-
ham Is P0pulist 81 the most rahid kind
He now occupies the once Of qtate au-
ditor and - a desoui enemy. OF Governor
Rogers
Mr.. Neierer II weli-known Bryan
Democrat and Mr. Daniels Is now the
ropuiist lieutenant governor. and there
fore a member % the unhappy family OF
fusion officials.
Mr.. Voorhees, IL unauestianal,gy the
choice ~ many Democratic leaders but
has repeatedly declared his unwiilingness
20 undertake the hopeless task ~ leading
the fusion campaign ~ 600. with the bar.
ren honor az being nominated for governor
a. the only consideration.