King County Democrats Revolt Over an Anti-Canal Platform

Expressions of disgust at the action of the Democratic state convention on the canal question were universal among Democrats yesterday. It was almost impossible to find one who did not declare that he would not support a ticket nominated on such a platform. With almost one voice they declared that the question was now one not of party politics but of loyalty to King county, and that therefore every King county man should vote against the anti-King county ticket. Predictions were general that McGraw would sweep the county as Voorhees swept it in 1884.

C. G. Heifner, secretary of the board of public works and one of the most active managers of the Democratic city campaign, who has returned from Olympia, said yesterday he was glad the state law was such that a Democrat could vote for Cleveland and at the same time vote for other than a Democrat for governor, when the issues were diverse. He added: “The fight at Olympia resolved itself into one between broad-minded statesmanship and narrow-minded jealousy — the one represented by King and the other by Pierce. Between these two the people of Seattle have only one choice, and that is to stand by the city they love.”

Thomas Nevins, an active Democrat, said: “I had been in favor of Lewis for governor, not because he was the only man qualified for the position, but because I considered him the most popular Democrat. As it is, I cannot vote for a platform constructed to gratify the animosity of Pierce county against my own home.”

Thomas H. Cann declared that the Democrats were now practically defeated by the folly of Pierce county. Salvador Elliott, a dyed-in-the-wool Democrat, declared himself in accord with Mayor Ronald — “Patriotism first, partisanship always after that.”

Among the many Democrats who yesterday declared themselves in favor of “John H. McGraw and the canal” are James Pincus, the well-known hop dealer; Gus Brown, commission merchant; E. W. Leester, a son-in-law of G. W. Dickinson; C. Abrams, the grocer; and S. Pinschower, of the Red Front store. Even J. W. Cusidine declares he will not vote for Pierce county’s anti-King ticket.

Martin J. Calligan declared himself in the following language: “I have been a life-long Democrat, but from this day forward I am a Republican, and I want the people to know it. The King county delegation should have bolted the convention like the Douglas Democrats did in 1860.”

Commissioner C. D. Emery, who went to Olympia with the anti-Lewis crowd, returned yesterday, and said: “It was really unnecessary to fight Lewis, for his own action killed him. When he gets such men as John Cusidine, Joe Livingstone and others of that class in a delegation to represent the Democracy of King county, he kills himself, and justly so. Had a representative delegation been sent the canal plank and everything else would have been settled all right.”

Robert Burns, general agent of the Union Pacific freight department, said: “I was a Democrat till yesterday. Now the Republicans will have a walk over.” B. F. Rush, general superintendent of the Oregon Improvement Company, said: “There is not a single Democrat left in King County.” D. B. Kitten, ex-superintendent of the water department, said: “Every man, woman and child in this county wants the canal, and is bitterly disappointed at the platform.”