The Political Pressure on Mr. Rutter
A state legislator lashes out after the press accuses him of being a 'doubtful' vote in the contentious race for the U.S. Senate.
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.
The Tacoma Ledger has had occasional references to Mr. Rutter's doubtful allegiance to Senator Allen. During the campaign it was published that Rutter was under obligations to Turner, as he had been given financial aid by him when he came to Washington in impecunious circumstances. It was stated that for these and other reasons Rutter would be compelled to vote for Turner and against Allen. When Rutter's attention was at the time called to these reflections on his honor, he was filled with virtuous indignation, and with flashing eye and stentorian voice swore that he could kill the reporter that wrote such lies about him.
“He was filled with virtuous indignation, and with flashing eye and stentorian voice swore that he could kill the reporter that wrote such lies about him.”
This reflects the fierce, transactional nature of 19th-century machine politics, where legislators were expected to vote with their party 'boss' or benefactor. It echoes today's debates about the influence of dark money and party loyalty in legislative proceedings.
From readers
No comments yet. If you know something about this story — a correction, a family memory, a source — it belongs here.