A Senator Breaks Ranks, and Seattle Howls

OLYMPIA, Jan. 19.—[Special.]—The disaffection of Senator Rutter today was expected by the Allen managers, and relieved the King County delegation of the only man with sufficient turpitude to be disloyal to the wishes of his constituents and to the most sacred pledges. Although this break in the solid ranks of the delegation had been anticipated, it could not be averted by any honorable means. The only hope they had that he would remain loyal to his pledges was the idea that he might want to retain his residence in King County and be respected as a man representing the sentiments of the people with whom he lived and who had twice trusted to his honor that he would fairly reflect their wishes. Added to this, they had his pledge, voluntarily given in black and white, that he would remain true to Senator Allen until released from that obligation by a majority vote of the King County delegation.

In this respect he differed from the representative from Snohomish County, whose recent arrival at pubescence and whose fancied resemblance in personal appearance to Stephen A. Douglas made him such an easy dupe to the blandishments and adulation of the flattery department of Turner’s campaign. Roscoe had never signed a pledge, and the only tie which bound him was the one that binds any man of honor who enters a caucus and takes part in its deliberations.

Senator Rutter tonight finds himself in an anomalous position. He is an Ishmaelite, shunned by the men whose confidence he betrayed and whose commiseration for his humble condition is offset by the disappointment of finding him a truckler to what he deems self-interest. The men whose purposes he attempted to serve were disappointed in him, as he failed to deliver anything like the goods they expected. Senator Rutter’s vote could not help them. It was in the vain hope of leading a break in the King County delegation that he was induced to do their bidding. He was made to believe that he could do what Roscoe had so signally failed in attempting—to lead a stampede that would disrupt the Allen forces and place him in the position of being a senator-maker. The Turner forces were on the tiptoe of expectation for the rout that was to follow his carefully prepared explanation, but it never came. The King County delegation stood as firm as the rock of Gibraltar, as it will stand until the will of the majority is subserved by the return of Hon. John B. Allen to the United States Senate.

The joy with which Roscoe hailed his compeer showed how keenly he feels his own position. Hardly had Senator Rutter taken his seat, after reading the typewritten explanation of how he intended voting for the man who had aided him when penniless, before the Snohomish statesman rushed to him, his face wreathed in smiles, and welcomed him to the association of political Ishmaelites. Senator Rutter has tonight been hearing loud and anything but pleasant calls from his outraged constituency. Telegrams have poured in upon him, one from the north ward of Seattle being particularly of a character not to flutter his self-esteem.

Notwithstanding the defection of Rutter and the failure to make a gain today, the Allen men are tonight confident of victory. The developments of the evening have been of the most encouraging character, and the supporters of Senator Allen have positive insurance that he will make a substantial gain tomorrow. Further than this, there is no longer any reasonable ground for doubting that the senator will be re-elected. There need be no expectation that the existing deadlock will be long continued. There are several members among those who have been voting for Turner who will not stay with him much longer. They are becoming tired of the playing at making a senator at the public expense, and will yield their personal preferences to the demand that their party makes for the return of Allen to the Senate.

The Allen men are now solid. The two efforts that have been made to break up and stampede them have utterly failed, and the Turner managers have no new cards to play. In fact, they have been frantic tonight in their exertions to hold their forces in line. The circumstances surrounding the Rutter episode have caused a reaction in Allen’s favor, and no one regards Allen as having been weakened by the defection. The other members of the King County delegation have been aroused to increased activity by the break in their ranks, and have been rendering most effective service since the adjournment. There will be no more votes captured in King County by the enemies of Allen. Members from that county have heard with much interest of the indignation aroused in Seattle by Rutter’s course, and great curiosity has been displayed by the members and the public generally to learn of the manifestations of disapproval of Rutter’s flop by the people of his county.

At 12 o’clock the two houses met in joint session. Claypool introduced a resolution instructing the executive officers of the joint assembly to order silence during the balloting for United States senator, and it was adopted by unanimous vote. When Senator Rutter’s name was reached on the first roll call, he rose and said that he had from time to time endeavored to ascertain just what was his duty, and that after having cast six ballots with the other Republican members from King County for John Allen, he should today vote for a man who years ago, when an entire stranger and sick and penniless, was his friend. He then cast his vote for the Hon. George Turner. When Senator Sargeant’s name was called he explained that circumstances had prevented him from being present the two preceding days, but that he wished to name a man acceptable to the majority of the whole legislature. He believed the position belonged of right to Eastern Washington, and voted for the Hon. Eugene T. Wilson.

With the exception of Rutter’s change and Sargeant’s vote, the result of the first ballot was the same as that of the last one yesterday: Senate—Allen 14, Turner 10, Briggs 9, Wilson 1; House—Allen 33, Turner 18, Griggs 18, Teats 2. After five ballots without change, the joint convention took a recess until 3 o’clock. On reconvening all answered to roll call except Senator Claypool, who came in after the first ballot. Nine ballots were taken without change, making twenty in all, when the joint convention dissolved until 12 o’clock tomorrow.