Olympia Deadlock: Minority Republicans Block US Senate Election

The present situation in the senatorial contest at Olympia is an extraordinary if not an unprecedented one. The Republicans have an overwhelming majority in the legislature. Almost two-thirds of the members of that majority have united in a call for a party caucus in order that the candidate of the party may be named. A small minority, however, refuse to enter this caucus, and assume an attitude whose only effect can be to prevent the election of a United States senator and to bring disgrace upon their party and their state. There have been cases where a minority of a majority party have remained out of caucus and prevented the election of their party's choice, but it has always been where some principle was supposed to be at stake. In this instance, however, no such excuse for the action of the minority can be offered. The Turner supporters do not attack Senator Allen's integrity or ability. They do not allege that he has obtained his supporters by unfair or unusual methods; indeed, their only objection to him is a geographical one. The Spokane delegation, which is the head and front of the opposition to a caucus, justifies its position on the ground that there is a candidate in the field who lives in Spokane county. Because of this fact they feel justified in rebelling against the party organization and demanding that the majority yield to the will of the minority. A majority of the Republican members from Eastern Washington are for Allen. A majority of the Republican members outside of King county are for Allen. From every point of view the action of the Turner minority is unjustifiable and indefensible.