The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1904-12-07
PORTLAND NEWSPAPERS PRE-
DICT ANkENy WILL RETIRE
FROM POLITICAL ARENA.
Gives That as Reason for the "Com-
bine" Being Ready to Vote for
Sweeny.

Washington, the Portland Telegram
says:
Ankeny and Sweeny against Piles
and John L. Wilson, seems the outlook
for the senatorial battle in the state
of Washington. 1t is claimed-and in
dications point to the truth OF the
assertion-that Senator Levi Ankeny,
of Walla Walla. has had his fill of the
troubles and expense of professional
politics and that he will turn his we'll
organized machine over to wouId-b be
Senator Sweeny, John L. Wilson is an
old-time enemy of the Ankeny political
manipulators, and Piles does not stand
for the things the Ankenyites have es-
poused in the past, so the combination
is considered feasible.
With the Ankeny interests fighting
under the Sweeny banner it would
seem, declare those politically wise,
that victory would in large measure
depend upon the side taken by the
railroads. For years, as s well known,
the railroad companies have controlled
Washington legislation, and the only
time they failed to elect the senator
of their choice was during the popu-
list boom, when George Turner was
sent to Washington-and there are
those who say this man was not far
from the hearts of the corporations.
SO it is conceded that, with the Ankeny
machine and the railroads, Sweeny
will win: while, with the anti Ankeny
following and the railroads, Piles will
win.
If, in the heat of conflict, King coun-
tvs heavy delegation should break to
a dark horse"-which in all prOba-
bility would be John L. Wilson, of great
senatorial perseverance-it would car
ry with it the bulk of the Ankeny OPP
position, and might start a landslide
that would win. Especially is this
Il uS IL llle IdIli OduS ldNOI I1leS-d1lu
it is admitted thus far that the rail-
roads are an unknown quantity in the
coming fight, Promises are easily
made even at the last moment, and
promises are what the railroads have
tests of the past.
1T is to the interest of Sweeny to
ly in line for Piles" say sojourners in
Portland who play in the game of poll
Then they give these as their reasons:
The railroad forces are hardly likely
to lend aid to Piles, and in the fight
between Piles and Sweeny would more
likely aid the latter In the event, how
ever, of a bolt to John l.. Wilson-who
has been a potent railroad weapon in
the past-Sweeny might lose a
strong ally from this source
In days of yore A. T. Van de Vanter,
one-time sheriff and all-the- time pol
itician, has been the keystone of the
King county delegation. Thus politi-
clans feel that if Sweeny can control
Van de Nanter, he can prevent a slump
to Wilson, thus saving himself the rail-
road support.
Senator Ankeny, being a resident OF
the east side" will sign his own po-
litical death warrant the moment he
consents to his henchmen swinging
into the Sweeny column, for it is
recognized that two senator's canno,
hope to endure from the same section
of the state.
Senator Ankeny is first and fore
most a business man, and. from q
business standpoint, it is claimed he
has not found politics to be success
He has spent much for campaign purp.
doses, but has also much to show fol
1t. "A well-oiled political machine has
often brought round price wher
placed on the market" say those who
would attach Interior motives to hi.
rumored retirement His friends. or
the other hand, say the senator i.
growing old. that he has all the honor
that could be his, and that he has &C
complished the chief object of his sen
atorla1 campaign in retaining for Wal
la Walla military post that wa
threatened with removal
At meeting of eastern Washingto,
legislators held in Portland Saturda,
afternoon, the coming battle wa
talked over and plans were made. I
is claimed that at this gathering wa
consummated a portion of the allege,
plan to back Sweeny with the soldier
who won for Ankeny.
Portland Wants Sweeney.
A prominent Walla Walla politicia,
VINO returned from Portland TODAY i,
speaking of the senatorial ouestio,
ana the apparent eagerness of tn