The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1923-09-21
HERE'S MORE ABOUT
STEVENSON
STARTS ON PAGE I

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ton OF the legislature. perhaps
owed more than they cared TO admit
TO hectic meetings in back rooms
and whispered conferences in hall.
ways. The political bosses often
were not actually members OF the
legislature, altho they occasionally
ran for office and were elected.
WILL or THE PEOPLE
MEANT But LITTLE
II was In this atmosphere and
setting that Stevenson found his
paradise. His was the power. IL
was said. that sent Levi Ankeny
to the United States senate. as well
as many more OF the pioneer law
makers. b. D. Croker was another
associate of that day.
The will OF the people often
meant but little to the legislature
with its perfected steam roller"
party machine which ran rough
shod over opponents who in open
election would have defeated party
candidates easily.
The fight against the railroad
lobby in the legislature, which drew
the ''old guard at the capitol into
long and bitter struggle. really
was the beginning OF the end for
Stevenson as the power behind the
throne Tours Of the state failed
TO reconcile bitter opponents Of the
moneyed interests.
Then. later on. came the new era
WHEN United States senator's we're
taken from the hands OF the pup
petmasters and placed on the ballot
sheets OF the people. The legisla.
ture had lost another important
power.
Stevenson from that time forward
found himself with but little to oc.
cupy his enormous energy and tai.
ent. He served as a legislator sew.
eal terms, and his brother was
also a member OF that body.
BECAME INTERESTED
IN MINING PROJECT
The Punch and Judy" show at
the legislature was largely over.
The grinning manikins Of the party
machine had been cast down and re.
placed with men selected by direct
vote of the people. altho party
primaries were still In force to nom.
mate candidates, and remained so
until recent years.
Stevenson finally retired. He be.
came Interested in mining projects
around Index. and owned consider
able property in copper mining ven.
lures there, IL was said. Becoming
too heavily interested, he sold out,
losing large percentage of his
holdings.
In recent years Stevenson was
engaged in the lumber industry,
and cruised the Oregon woods.
While there several months ago he
fell, striking his head on log, in.
juring himself severely
During the last mayoralty election
here. as well as the one previous,
Stevenson had taken up the burden
of politics upon himself and aided
Brown and Caldwell in their elec.
ton cam patgns, "Warhorse" of
many campaigns. Stevenson seemed
never so happy as when he was
engaged In political battle.
SUFFERED FROM
MANY BREAKDOWNS
Mental troubles affected Steven.
son. He suffered intensely from
nervous breakdowns. II was prob.
ably because he felt an attack com.
ing on that Stevenson left his home
Thursday morning. trying to appear
happy and contented and selected
the downtown office building in
which to end his life.
Friends of Stevenson said he
seemed to take II TO heart when
his campaign for the republican
nomination as l.. s, senator last fall
failed TO reach success. II Wa his
last attempt to regain prestige
and glory Of forgotten generation.
Poindexter won the o m n a tion
casily, while Stevenson polled but
few scattered votes. Despite his
large acquaintance thruout every cor.
ncr Of the state, his last campaign
was regarded as joke. fact
which stung Stevenson bitterly.
Carrying revolver In his pocket.
Stevenson Thursday morning left
his home, apparently in good spirits,
hut In his heart was firm resolve
20 leave the world that had out
grown him.