Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1905-02-02
STATE CAPITAL GOSSIP
Things Political and Otherwise, Occurring
and to Occur.
Fact, Fancy and Forecast of Bystander. The
Piles Senatorial Landslide. Legs1a-
ture Strong on Adjournments.
A Railroad Commission
Expected to Pass.
CORRESPONDENCE to the HERALD |

Correspondence to the HERALD
Man is deceptive "crltter" and full
of guile.
When the tidal wave came that swept
Samuel H. Piles, of Seattle, into the U.
s. senate, Sweeny, Foster and Wilson
men We'd with the original Ple- sup
porters in lifting up their voices in sonor.
ous acclaim.
Symptoms Of the breaking up began
to be apparent as early as Wednesday
evening. Rumor began to succeed ru-
NOR, and there was vague undercur-
rent Of excitement and unrest. But it
did not show in Thursdays ballot.
The beginning Of the end came Thurs
day evening when Sweeny withdrew in
favor of Piles. Uncertainty as to the
ability Of Sweeny to "deliver the goods"
and the fact that even the Seattle man
was short few votes put mis- opponents
upon their mettle, and Thursday night
was the real strenuous article.
But as the landslide started go it con.
tinued. Sweeny's support was the real
thing, counter combinations proved
houses of cards, the band wagon hove in
sight, triumphant music filled the air
and there was stampede TO climb in or,
failing that, to get hold OF the end
gate.
When the joint session convened the
lieutenants of Sweeny, Foster and Will
son gracefully sidestepped on behalf OF
their respective chiefs. the spokesman. of
Jones' immortal seven joined the pro.
cession and there was nothing left but
the throwing up of hats and waste bas.
kets.
Then it was the Bystander, whose
thoughts as general thing turn to the
loser, mused as per the opening para
graph.
The senator-elect was sent for, he did
not seem far away, and received an ova.
ton to which he responded in q speech
neither better nor worse than is usual
on such occasions. Then Sweeny, only
in less degree victor, was called from a
seat in the house and responded grace
fully to the rounds of applause.
Then the crowd wanted Foster and
Wilson, but those gentlemen were not
apparently in mood to be butchered to
make Piles holiday and were conspicu.
Gus by their absence.
"Had we done this" "The proper
thing to have" and other "might have
been" echoes foated around corridor,
lobby AMI corner after the senatorial
election. Had the whirlwlnd finish be m
anticipated it might have been headed
off, but it wasn't the game OF it's pro-
moters to have it anticipated.
Then the legislature adjourned until
Monday afternoon. If there is one thing
this session is strong on. it is adjourn
ment. 1t has been handicapped since
the commencement of this senatorial
balloting by the necessity of a daily
ballot, but Immediately rewarded itself
by two.day vacation and followed the
new senator to his home city. At any
rate, eight car loads headed that way at
4 :45 Friday afternoon, and it is probable
that few, even OF the Tacoma contingent.
stopped short of Seattle, for unquestion.
ably things were doing in the Queen City
Saturday and Sunday.
Aside from the senatorial contest sud.
denly and spectacularly brought to a
close Oh Friday noon, the legislative
news of the week has been stale, fiat and
improbable. Now that this all-absorb-
ing topic has been cleared from the
boards progress along legitimate legisla-
tive lines may be expected.
If King county delivers the goods an
efficient railroad commission bill may be
looked for, as it is an open secret that
promises to that effect was one of the
leading considerations that brought
about the Sweeny.Piles combine.
Bassett, of Adams, evidently thinks
people should enter the state OF matri-
mony in an economical state of mind
and has introduced bill reducing mar.
riage licenses from IS, the present price,
to $3.50.
A joint "forty cent rate" memorial to
the railroads has been introduced by
Veness, of Lewis, but memorials aren't
worrying the railroads.
Senator Moore. of King. believes that
cleanliness is next to Godliness." Two