The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-08-08
A FIGHT
FOR SpoILS
Mayor Humes Wants
Seattle PeSloffice.
lkKEtY OPPOSED To STEWART
Cushman Has Interfered With Foster
in Some Of the Latter's

A Seattle dispatch to the Oregonian
says: Will E. Humphrey has the
question of the Seattle postoffice still
under Amusement. Some day local
politicians may know what the Seat.
tie members of congress intends to
recommend to the president, but at
present they are Informed, he has not
yet decided the matter
To local politicians the question of
a new postmaster at Seattle resolves
itself down to choice between
George NJ Stewart the present in
cumbent, and W. A. earle, who has
the Endorsement Of the King county
legislative delegation or rather that
portion of the delegation that voted
for Senator Levi Ankeny. Now and
then some one mentions Mayor
Thomas j. Humes as possible COM
promise candidate, mindful. probably,
of the fact that Humes and Ankeny
have been intimate personal and pol
itical friends.
Humes on Still Hunt.
The suggestion that Humes might
he was considering the possibility of
acquiring that position, has not been
noised abroad in Seattle. Here there
are comparatively few who know
that Mayor Humes is reported to have
told a few of his intimate friends that
he will not be a candidate to succeed
himself. Most Seattle politicians ex-
pect him to make fight for
mayor again, if conditions are at all
favorable, and it would not be bit
surprising If in time the mayor did
enter the coming contest. But at
present the postmaster's position ap-
peals to him.
This Is the attitude of Humes,
looked at from standpoint of men
who are regarded as close to him.
For himself the mayor is silent. He
Is not gifted with the habit of taking
the public into his confidence, and
there are few politicians in Seattle
who can say they have had any init
nation of his future plans from May
or Humes.
influence Welded by Stewart.
That George M. Stewart is serious
candidate for postmaster has always
been understood. He was named
more than four year ago, just at the
close Of the term Of Senator John L.
Wilson. Stewart had been treasurer
Of the Republican State Central com
mittee for several years, and was a
strong King county supporter of Will
son. 1t Is extremely doubtful whether
Foster would have chosen Stewart
for the Seattle postofice, and Wilson
did not leave the question open for
doubt
During the last senatorial contest
the fortunes Of George M. Stewar:
were made the particular care OF his
brother, A. B. stewart, who was one
Of the most prominent Of the King
county business men who were sup
porting Preston. When the latter
was shown to be an impossible can
didate, A. B. Stewart made every eff
fort to guarantee the reappointment
of his brother. but failed to secure
any pledge Of support
Senator Ankeny is quoted as having
declared positively that Stewart could
not be reappointed. There is no doubt
that Senator Ankeny is strongly
averse to remaining the present post
master, or that he will fight his ap-
pointment, so long as there is oppor
UNITY fOr so doing.
The Office Is regarded as one that
falls within the list of senatorial ap-
pointments. Ordinarily, politicians
would conclude that the decision OF
Ankeny that Stewart must go would
settle the matter. especially as Sen
ator Foster will not quarrel with him
over the place But, inasmuch as Sc.
attic is the home of Representative
Humphrey. there is question wheth
er the two senators will be allowed
to dictate the appointment of a new
postmaster here.
Whether Humphrey has choice
has been concealed from politicians
Mr.. Humphrey has not made up his
mind" and whether he will interfere
Is an open question.
Foster and Jones With Ankeny.
That Senator Foster and Repre-
sentative Jones will support any rec
mendation that Senator Ankeny
makes is entirely probable, and that
Senator Ankeny agreed that the King
county men who voted for him should
control King county politics is unde
MED. So it is well understood that sc
far as the majority of the Washington
congressional delegation is concern
ed, it is strongly opposed to Stewart
and will permit the opponents OF
Stewart to name the new man. Wheth
er Cushman could be induced to take
hand in the matter is questionable
Mr.. Cushman is playing the best poll
tics he can at present, and he will no:
make a fight unless he can see an ad
vantage in it for himself. All OF
which is good policy, but complica.es
the situation regarding the appoint
ment.
Cushman Has Troubles of His Own
Cushman has been successful in