The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1906-01-11
Why the Valiant Councilman
Changed His Mind.
Old He RECEIVE An ULTIMATUM?
George Stevenson Is Said to Have Seen
Cousin Billy Potts-kirkman's
Own Story.

Why did Councilman Kirkman
change his mind so suddenly on the
granting of new licenses to the Idle
Hour, the Louvre and the Elk sa-
looms? That is the question that has
been puzzling many citizens of Walla
Walla. 1t is generally known that at
the last meeting of the council in De-
cember Councilman Kirkman served
notice on the proprietors of the five
saloons whose licenses had been re-
voked for alleged violation of the anti
gambling law that it would be useless
for them to apply for new licenses un-
til March 1, the day set for the new
$1000-license ordinance to go into eff
feet. Yet at the very next meeting of
the council Mr.. Kirkman deserted mis-
three colleagues, Glasford, Cox and
into a solemn covenant for the dras-
tic enforcement of the laws governing
saloons and, without notice to them
and to their complete surprise and con-
sternation, voted with the other three
members of the council to grant new
licenses at the old 1866 rate to the
Idle Hour, the Louvre and the Elk. No
'3loubt new licenses would also have
eff+~cnTs granted to the Owl and the Bis
marck had they been given notice that
a breach had been made in the ranks
of the reform councilmen.
What Was 1t?
Now what was the hidden influence
that sicklied Ger Councilman Kirk
mans native hue Of resolution with a
pale cast of thought? What was it that
in the twinkling of an eye transformed
this doughty champion of law and
order eager and ready, like Don
Quixote, to fight and conquer all the
windmills that the lawless elements
might array against nim, into a meek
and humble apologist for the alleged
yiolators of the law?
But for ways that are dark and
tricks that are vain" commend us not
TO the heather Cninee, but to the
would-be politician. Politics Is a sys-
tenn of wheels within wheels, and 1t
seems that Councilman Kirkman got
caught in one Of the little wheels and
was threatened with destruction by
being thrown against the buzz saw of
the powerful state liquor league un-
less he relented from his virtuous pur-
pose to keep the five naughty saloons
closed until March.
reliable authority an explanation
which seems to clear up the mystery
surrounding Councilman Kirkmans
change Of heart. Here it is. State
Senator William Potts of Seattle is
a first cousin Of Mr.. Kirkman. Both
are ambitious to shine in politics and
to attain high honors from their fell
low citizens. They are close friends
and what affects the political fortunes
of one touches the destiny of the other
II was the work of B. D. Crocker's fine
Italian hand in state politics to reach
Kirkman through Potts. John Bachtold
proprietor of the Elk saloon and pres
ident of the local branch of the state
liquor league, was called to Seattle
where Crocker introduced him = tC
George Stevenson, now in charge of the
Hotel Diller. Stevenson is one of the
smoothest politicians in the state and
has a close alliance with the state IL
quor league. He gave Senator Potts
to understand that unless he coulo
bring pressure to bear upon Council
man Kirkman to let up on what tnt
liquor league regarded as the persecu-
ton of some of their members in Wal
would be forever wiped off the politica
slate Potts saw the point and he a
once communicated Stevenson's ulti.
matum to Kirkman, who promised t.
take the question under consideration
After wrestling with the problem owe
night, Kirkman compromised with hi
conscience and yielded to Stevenson