The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1904-01-18
Suggested That He Would Have th'
Support Of Senator Ankeny for
the Position.
The Seattle correspondent of the

a position for which George II. Stew
art and William A. earle have been the
principal candidates. 1t came from a
close friend of the mayor today that
he has hopes of being named. and
| that is one reason why he has regard
ed his diminishing chances Of succeed
ling himself as mayor with a degree of
| eouanamity that has excited comment.
That Humes was a possible candi-
| date for postmaster was suggested
had good foundation, but it lacked tho
strength it possesses now. Humes
took occasion to evade a definite
answer at the time and would not COM
nit himself, even now. on the postmas-
ter question. In fact, Humes rarely
makes q definite answer relative to his
own political ambitions.
Contest Somewhat Complicated.
Humes as a compromise candidate
for postmaster is the result Of a COM
plicated fight now being waged for the
office. Stewart has been Endorsed by
Congressman Humphrey. and earle has
the support of Senators Foster and An
keny.
The latter have not publicly commit
ted themselves to Carries candidacy
but they have filed all his recOmmen-
dations and all the protests against
Stewards appointment. They have al
so neglected to deny the statements
that Ankeny at least is tied up on the
pOstmaster's berth by a pledge to GER
tain King county politicians. Foster
will naturally support Ankeny in the
fight, a fact that he has already made
clear.
Irrespective of the fact that sena-
torial courtesy demands that no action
be taken on an appointment in which
a senator is interested at time when
he is absent, and that Ankeny is still
away from Washington, the statement
is made positively that the possibility
OF bringing forth Humes is really caus
ing the delay. 1t is insisted that the
longer the appointment is deferred and
the more complicated the fight be-
comes. the more apt those interested
in the matter are to compromise.
Stewart was first named postmaster
by Senator Wilson, before the latter
left the United States senate His
campaign for reappOintment has been
in the hands of Congressman Hum
phrey, upon whom pressure was
brought to bear in a social way and
through politicians headed by A. b.
Stewart, the pOstmaster's brother.
earle Has Preston's Enmity.
earle is the candidate of the faction
that stands close to Ankeny. He was
a member of the last legislature, and
was one of the King county men who
refused to tie up the senatorial con-
| test Indefinitely. He signed a caucus
agreement that aroused the enmity of
the Preston following and his candi-
dacy for postmaster has been bitterly
| opposed by PrestOns friends.
That he has the support of Ankeny's
| friends in this county is understood,
and Ankeny promised these men that
| listen only to them.
There is no possibility of an agree
ment between Foster, Ankeny and
! Humphrey on the basis of the appoint
ment of either Garlic or Stewart. Either
might be named. but if the selection
were to be made, it would be without
the approval of the full congressional
| delegation. If the analysis of the
| Washington delegation We're to be car
ried further. Cushman might be
| placed with Humphrey and Jones with
the senators in this fight at such a
time as such an alignment might be
! necessary.
Good Hold on Ankeny.
| Humes as a compromise candidate
has some elements of strength that lead
him to believe he is a probability. He
has been a close personal and politi-
cal friend Of Senator Ankeny for years
| IC wv Aie'NS N'iiHptAiSllCu loSctllcl anu
| hunted together. They have made
pleasure excursions in each others
| company and the ties Of friendship
made on pleasure excursions have
not been Jared by Hume's NUM-
cipal policies hard enough to make
Humes unacceptable to Ankeny
| Foster is friendly to Humes, even
| without his pledge to support Ankeny