The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1900-09-28
"Take me s.,
Todd TO Work For Rogers.

Todd TO work For Rogers.
The announcement that Farmer"
J. III. Todd, Of Mason county, is about
to take the stump for the fusion state
ticket, is accepted by his former Popu-
list associates to mean that this most
irreconciable enemy OF Gov. John r.
Rogers has been persuaded from his
strenuous allegiance to the opposition
and will aid the Rogers-Turner combi-
nation in its effort to finally crush the
Populist party out of existence.
Todd's sudden and unexpected con-
version is great surprise to the lead
ers OF the Populist party in King county
and will be viewed with amazement by
Populists throughout the state. Prior
to the fusion conventions there was
no man in Washington more bitterly
opposed to the denomination of Rogers
than the Mason county "faImer."
When the tide seemed TO be gong
against the governor there was no one
more jubilant than he: when the tide
was turned by Turner, Snlvely and
others and Rogers secured renomina-,
ton, no one was more dlsconsolate
He did not hesitate then to express
his sincere conviction that Rogers
wonld be defeated and, it is said, went
SO far as to Intimate that he would
contribute substantially toward that
end.
In conversation with q Pcst-lntelli-
gencer reporter about ten days ago,
Mr.. Todd said:
at is little too soon for me to talk
OF what [ shall do in this campaign
There are few little matters pending
which will be settled within few days.
Then | thinkI can give you story
that the Post-Intellgencer will be
glad to have"
Whether the 'little matters pend
ing" have been settled is not generally
known; but it seems evident that Mr..
Todd has been Modified by the fusion
state committee and is going to work
for his ancient enemy, Rogers, who m
he SO recently charged with the betray-
al of his party.
At the time Mr.. Todd made the
statement quoted, it was generally
understood that he had made a con-
ditional offer of his services as cam
paign orator to the Republican state
committee. Whether she offsr was
made in sincerity is not known, but it
is now quite evident that it was not
accepted
Some people express the opinion
that the offer to the Republicans was
made in order 10 aitrac; he immediate
attention of the fusion state committee
to the pending disaster II this was
Mr.. Todd's plan it was certainly been
a success; the action of the fusion
managers has been prompt and the
calamity threatened by Mr.. Todd has
been averted.
Mr.. Todd's title to classification as a
farmer is OF somewhat obscure deriya-
ton. 1t Is generally thought that the
sobriquet "farmer" was bestowed in
order to give his atterances additional
weight among the agriculturists. 1t is
sald that he Owls d ranch somewhere
IN Mason county, but if this is true,
the ranch Is seldom favored with Mr.
Todd's presence, as he is almost cons
family in evidence in town. 1t has
been some time since he INDUCED in
tillage OF the soil and The welding Of
tie oe has not had any perceptible
effect upon the slant of his brow.
'sThe conversion of Farmer Todd is
surprise to me, but ! do not regard it
as important. Todd was so bitterly
opposed to Rogers that whatever he
may now say in favor of the governor
will simply recall his< previous fierce
Recommendations. The influences that
effected the change of heart in Todd
will not, ! can assure you be potent
with Others.
"Iunderstand that Todd offered to
stump the state for the Republican
| ticket. sal inclined to believe. how
ever, that this was bluff on Todd's
part, as he made no secret Of il and
evidently wanted it generally known
i SO as toattract the attention Of Senator
Turner and other Rogers leaders. 7
was to Id today that in addition to Ger
tam Immediate considerations Todd
has been promised a place under ihe
state adninistra ton if Rogers is re-
elected. Asst is known that every
| possible pace II the disposal of Rogers
was pledged Il. secure votes for him in
the fusion convention, | don't see
where Todd will come In. Up. r.