Democratic Boss Wins Power Struggle
Despite internal opposition and cries of 'crow-eating,' George Hazzard secures control of the state campaign, cementing his influence over party politics.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Tacoma, Sept. 13.—George Hazzard is boss. He is in charge of the Democratic state campaign. Although the goose was cooked forty-eight hours ago it was not served until today at the meeting of the Democratic state committee. Hazzard is promoted to the chairmanship of the advisory committee which is to manage the campaign. He also seems to have got his friends named on this committee. The Democratic candidates from Mr. Snively down had to come into line and do Hazzard's bidding. Even the Tacoma 'kids' could not knock him out. There is plenty of retching by the crow eaters, but there is no relief. The situation as presented to the committee was that George is an encyclopaedia of Democratic doctrine, possessing executive ability and shrewdness. Therefore, it was recommended by the committee that the executive committee respectfully lend ear to what George's advisory committee might have to say during the campaign.
“There is plenty of retching by the crow eaters, but there is no relief.”
Internal party power struggles over the influence of 'bosses' versus local activists are as relevant today as they were in the 1892 gubernatorial election. The maneuvering described here highlights how, even a century ago, the machinery of political patronage often operated in tension with local party members.
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