The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-08-31

SEATTLE, FRIDAY. AUGUST ~.
Self-Condemncd.

Self-Condemncd.
II is with excellent reason that the
ass has become the accepted and uni
yersaI emblem of the national Demo-
cratic party: but in all the science OF
hybrids there In no word and no picture
that viii represent the fearful and
wonderful thing that has been begotten
OF fusion In this state. The perform
ance OF the so-calied union convention
ID not only a novelty here. 1t Is unique
In the whole history OF politics.
The earlier sessions of the three con-
ventions were marked by interesting.
definite and positively decided contests.
In this preliminary skirmishing, the
forces of the Rogers-Turne- combina-
tion were beaten overwhelmingiy. The
Populists were against II by heavy
majority. the Democrats by one smaller
but stlll decisive. 1t was admitted that
Rogers was out of the race. just as
Turner himself was beaten for chair
man OF the convention. As far as the
wishes Of the convention were con-
cerned. the Rogers candidacy came to
an end there.
But with II were bound up other Is,
sues: the issues dearest TO the combl-
nation that had been formed to capture
a gubernatorial nomination for the
.Nf IA tul .
have been fatal to the whole plan to
have any other candidate than Rogers
nominated. And therefore the influ-
enees which the public has learned to
expect from the same source were set
at work Partly they we're covered by
trades and deals. partly by promises of
patronage, partly they were in the
open, II Is sufficient to- say that the
conversion OF a minorit. of the con-
vention into a two-thrds vote was ac-
eomplishee by means that drove the
self-respecting members into open mu-
tiny.
The most Satire comment ever made
nron the use OF the term reform to
describe the fusion organization In the
sta OF Washington was made by this
convention; was written FIRST In the
scenes enacted during it's three days
session here In seattle. second In SIS
nominations, ana third in resolutions
10 which It Itself gave binding force
and the weight OF its solemn conhrma-
tion. For nowhere. not even In Mon
tana. has there been a convention more
shamrCaliy defiant Of the FIRST prinei-
pies OF political deeency and morality.
The thing that calls itself reform" In
this state has passed beyond the STAGE
OF cure or Moderation.
Apparently in order that there might
be no doubt about this. that those who
were not present at the convention ana
dla no, Witness as riot Of trading and
tflckery ana an that Is most abhorred
Ia politics might not ee deceived. the
members deliberately pat themselves
on record, some ot the Popuiists who
felt themselves abused and outraged.
Who had lost their party name. candi.
date. everything. and had not even
saved honor from the wreck
framed set % resolutions
saleing their Indignation Their
assoc stes. who By This time had
secured all that they valued. could not
even muster enough votes To table
them. And 80 The fusion party goes on
REGARD before the people OF the state as
the Judge tina; sentences itself TO con-
domination before the bar OF pueuc
eF.aion. Here Is SIS denunciation 81
practices existing "in the allied reform
forces % the state.
ttrst-Ihe practice of pRcLinE
csucuses. primaries aud conventions.
seeaaa-nrtbiaE ny the use ol
money or PATRONAGE. directly ur la
directly. TO secure the nomination
or election 90 any omcc Ina the art
cf the people.
Shira-Ihe making of combiaa-
Stens, trades and deals to secure the
U~nAAaAtiea or eieetisn OF any SaA-