The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-24
FROM THE PEOPLE
CONGRESSMAN. NOT GOVERNOR.

Seattle. Wash, April 20. 1900
To the Editor: Everybody knows that
the Republicans of King county are n unit
in demanding representation in congress.
Kings population demands 1t. having
about one-hfth Of the population Of the
state; Kings wealth demands it. paying
about one-fifth of the taxes Of the state:
Kings business interests also demand IL,
which have suffered already because OF
no representation. II would be unwise.
perhaps. to particularize right here. but
the facts remain, and without representa-
ton in congress Seattle Is menaced WhyG
The eyes of the whole world are upon
Seattle as the entrepot Of Alaska and the
Orient. The beginning of the massing at
her ports of the greatest commerce of the
world Is at hand Therefore Seattles
natural enemies are now especially ac-
tive. and remember they have every seat
in both houses of congress from the Pa
cifc coast
Tacoma has a congressman and United
States senator. Spokane has a United
States senator, and recently had both Uni
ted States senators and a congressman,
while Seattle's bank clearances last year
were 81 per cent. greater than the one
and 1871 per cent. greater than the other
and she has population equal to both
put together. but has no representative
in congress.
San Francisco. in dividing her trade
with Seattle. feels aggrieved and strikes
us on every hand and misrepresents us as
opportunity offers. Think you Seattle's
enemies. with the whip in their hands,
will not use it? We are menaced. and
II Seattle has not lost the old spirit she
viii stand for right and get it.
IL Seattle will not demand representa-
ton In congress for herself. she must de-
mand II because of her trusteeship for
others. Alaska demands something from
us. Alaska gets nine-tenths OF her sup
plies from Seattle. and expects us to look
after her interests. Alaska's fleet of 100
vessels have their home port In Seattle,
Seattle IS supposed to be in closest touch
with Alaska and the Orient. and she is.
Yet she has no voice In the halls of eth
er branch of congress. and, too. at these
critical times. when the great questions
of Alaska's laws and boundary are up for
settlement; when the great Philippine
question is absorbing the brain of the fsa-
ton, and when the Pacific cable question
is to be solved with many other questions
of equal Importance. | cry shame, shame
upon such a state of things.
Hundreds OF Republicans who have been
approached recently are of the opinion OF
one who said: II would rather have one
congressman than seven governors Re-
publicans OF King county, do not let tho
cry, King county can not have a con-
gresham deceive you Why can't King
county have congressman? The main
issue next to the election of Mr.. McKin-
ley for King county Is the election of a
congressman from Seattle. Amy man
who fights for less fights against his city
and state. Any man who fights for more
at this crisis fights for nothing King
county can not have a congressman and
governor, too, II she is to have congress-
man now and United States senator
later. What would the governorship he
worth TO commercial city Ike Seattle?
Nothing. King county ought to have per-
retually In washington. H. c., a congress-
man In the lower house and senator in the
upper house. The state of Washington
viii give us these, because Il is our right
IL we will forego the state offices We
have right to demand the one we can
not do without. The other let us cont EIDE
to the other parts OF the state.
Let us not leave this matter of rApre-
sentat,on in congress to the bigger busi-
ness men. Help them out. Let every man
see that the men that represent him are
pledged TO fight for representation in Wash
ington for King county. Stand together
men OF Seattle. not for your city alone
but for those who have trusted their in
terests In your hands--who look to you
as their guardians, W. w. BECK.