The Senatorial Tug-of-War
As the legislature gathers in Olympia, Northern Pacific lobbyists and political hopefuls fight for control over Senator John B. Allen’s seat.
Olympia, Jan. 15. There were few signs today that a senatorial battle is only two days off. In secluded places, deeply-interested lieutenants of the contending forces talked over their plans. It now seems probable that the full fifty-seven signatures required to make a caucus decisive will not be obtained, but the number will be only a few short of that. Several members who refuse to go into caucus do so because they feel under personal obligations to cast a vote for Judge Turner in the legislature. They appreciate their support will be only a complimentary one and that Turner is not a possibility, but they feel bound to help him make a trial. The cry that Northern Pacific boodle is here to be used for Senator Allen is being raised by the men who are here to use Northern Pacific money against him. The Northern Pacific lobby is in possession of the Turner headquarters, and their collection of back-number politicians has caused the Turner headquarters to be dubbed 'The Cemetery' in the light talk of the hotel rotunda.
“The queer collection of back number politicians who have attached themselves to the Turner cause... has caused the Turner headquarters to be dubbed 'The Cemetery.'”
This 1893 legislative gridlock reflects the deep-seated tension between corporate interests—specifically the railroads—and the public, a theme that remains a central tension in Washington state politics today. The struggle over who truly represents the state's interest against industry influence echoes in modern debates regarding lobbyist power in the state capital.
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