The Senatorial Deadlock Breaks
A Spokane representative abandons his candidate, marking the turning point in a long, gridlocked legislative contest.
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 change of Representative Ludden, of Spokane, from Turner to Allen today marked the beginning of the end of the senatorial contest. Mr. Ludden, like most of the other members of the Spokane delegation, was convinced more than a week ago that Turner's candidacy was a hopeless one. He believed the minority was placing the Republican party in peril by pursuing a course of political folly. Ludden rose at the calling of his name on the first ballot and announced his vote for Allen. His tone was earnest, and it was clear he was guided by a strong sense of duty. When he closed his announcement, it was greeted with wild applause and cheers, and President Luce felt called upon to use his gavel vigorously to restore order.
“This fight has now come to a point where there is no principle involved; it is simply a battle between two men.”
The 1893 legislative gridlock reflects the perennial frustration with political intransigence. Just as Ludden appealed to 'party harmony' and the need to 'legislate for our people,' modern voters often find themselves trapped between competing political egos and the practical needs of the state.
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