Fifteen Ballots and a Dark Horse
A deadlocked Washington House turns to Whitman County's J. Arrasmith after Democrats and reform Republicans break the 1893 speakership fight.
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.
OLYMPIA, Jan. 9.—After a contest lasting two hours and requiring fifteen ballots, J. Arrasmith of Whitman, a pronounced supporter of John B. Allen, was elected speaker of the house. The result was brought about by Democratic votes and a masterly movement at the right time by the Hoole managers. The Mentzer men absented themselves from the Republican house caucus and entered the fight in the house itself. On the second ballot one Populist, Collins of Spokane, went to Mentzer under pressure of Turner influence, but he remained the solitary third-party convert. The Democrats had held a caucus in the morning and decided to support Arrasmith when the Hoole men should withdraw. During the thirteenth ballot word was sent to the Hoole men that the Democrats were ready to go to Arrasmith. Hoole agreed to yield. On the fourteenth ballot Hoole withdrew and changed his vote to Arrasmith, but temporary Speaker Morrison ruled that changes could not be entertained. The decisive fifteenth ballot gave Arrasmith 45 votes, Mentzer 22, Burton 7, Judson 1 and Baker 1. Arrasmith was escorted to the chair by Hoole, Mentzer, Judson and Burton and made a short speech of acceptance. His election was regarded as an unquestioned victory for the Allen men.
“In the interest of harmony and the speedy organization of this House, I desire to change my vote to give it to Mr. Arrasmith and to withdraw my name as the caucus nominee.”
The 1893 speakership fight was a coalition drama: a faction boycotted its own caucus, a dark horse emerged, and the opposing party effectively chose the winner. Modern legislatures still live with the same arithmetic—small blocs, floor revolts and leadership deals can decide who holds the gavel.
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