Columbia courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1902-1905, 1905-02-03

It Is Said Legislators Demanded of
Sweeny Large Sums for Their Votes
and He Spurned Their Desire-PiIes
Signed Written Agreement Protect
ina Eastern Washington Interests.
The history of Samuel H. Piles elec-
ton to the United States senate from
the state of Washington may be sum-
married. in a single sentence-Charles
Sweeny refused to be held up.
A few legislators demanded extrava-
giant sums, and Mr.. Sweeny declared
that he would not give them one dol
lar. When his determination was
made known, his managers saw that
he could not be elected, and with his
consent opened negotiations with the
Piles people.
Mr.. Sweeny said that he wanted
eastern Washington to be protected in
any deal which might be made. and
his managers respected his wishes
with the result that Mr.. Piles agreed
to sign written agreement embody-
ing the following propositions:
First, that he would, If elected.
stand with President Roosevelt in en-
larging the powers Of the interstate
commerce commission.
Second, that a commission bill sat
isfactory to eastern Washington would
be passed with the help OF the King
county delegation.
Third, that Mr.. Piles, as senator.
would support the opening of the Co
lumbia river.
Fourth, that he would stand with
Senator Ankeny and Congressman
Jones in advocacy of an eastern Wash
ington federal judicial district, with
headquarters at Spokane. Also that
he would support an eastern Washing
ton man for federal judge.
Fifth, that Spokane should speedily
be made SUPPORT of entry.
After Mr.. Sweeny had withdrawn
and asked his supporters to vote for
Piles, the caucus sent for Mr.. Piles,
and he signed the foregoing agree
ment. He pledged himself to carry
out every feature of it. Then 1t was
that the Sweeny men voted to support
him unanimously.
Outside Of the written agreement
Mr.. Piles pledged himself to protect
| United States Marshal Charles B. Hop
kins Of Spokane. Mr.. Sweeny insisted
upon that. George H. Stevenson, one
of Mr.. Sweeny's managers, asked that
Mr.. Piles agree to protect Hal ]. Cole
and E. B. Hyde, respectively register
and receiver of the Spokane land Of
fee, and Mr.. Piles consented. He
also agreed that Postmaster Harrison
Of Spokane be retained in office, and
reappointed at the end Of his present
term.
1t was also understood between
Messrs. Piles and Sweeny that Senator
Piles will stand by B. D. Crocker, col
lector of internal revenue, in case an
effort is made by Senator Foster or
anybody else to dislodge him. 1t is
claimed further that Sweeny stipulat-
ed that George H. Stevenson, who was
deposed as head Of the railroad lobby
by ]. D. Farrell last April, shall be re-
stored to favor, and that warfare on
him shall cease.
One clause of the written agreement
which was signed was that Mr.. Piles
and King county shall support Senator
Ankeney for reelection four years
hence. In the event Senator Ankeny
is not a candidate for reelection 1t is
provided that King county shall sup
port any man satisfactory to and
agreed upon by the southeast combine.
Another feature of the Piles-Sweeny
agreement which leaked out today was
that the % Sweeny supporters are to
be consulted in the distribution of all
federal patronage, including postmas-
ters, in their respective counties. Mem
bers of Senator Ankeny would stand
with Senator Piles in recognition of
the Sweeny men. It was specifically
stipulated and agreed that Representa-
tive Peter McGregor Of Whitman coun-
ty was to have the controlling voice
with Senator Piles and Ankeny in all
Whitman county matters.
81 am pledged to support Senator
Ankeny for reelection if he seeks the
Office again four years hence" said
he. II made that agreement long be-
fore the November election. 1t was in
view of it 1 got the support Of Senator
Ankeny and his following.
Summing up the whole deal Mr..
Sweeny protected every man who has
gone down the line with him in the