Tacoma Democrats Reject Seattle's Influence
A fractured Pierce County Democratic convention turns into a political brawl as younger delegates fight against established party machines and Seattle's political meddling.
Tacoma, Aug. 18.—A mongrel Democratic county convention was held here today, marked by a determined effort to 'sit upon' Seattle politician Junius Rochester. Tacoma’s 'young Democracy' held full possession of the hall, suspecting treachery in Rochester’s mission to influence the convention against candidate Lewis. Rochester attempted to speak on behalf of King County delegates, but was repeatedly interrupted and silenced by young Tacoma organizers. The event revealed deep fissures between country delegates and city machine politicians, with several prominent members resigning to join the rising People's Party in protest of the 'cut-and-dried' proceedings.
“Today the kids ran things, and simply put a few representative men upon the delegation simply to quiet them and shut their mouths.”
This reflects the historic, often bitter, inter-city rivalry between Seattle and Tacoma—a dynamic that defined Washington's early political landscape and periodically resurfaces in regional legislative battles.
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