A Night of Political Pandemonium in Port Angeles
A local committee meeting descends into shouting, proxy-throwing, and rival factionalism as Clallam County Democrats split over patronage.
Already, with the President only a week in office, bitter war has broken out in the ranks of Clallam County’s Democratic politicians over official patronage. The trouble had been brewing for more than two months and culminated last night in a meeting of the county Democratic committee. The committee met with closed doors, but soon there was nothing secret, as the loud talking could be heard for a block. The fun began in objection to certain proxies; it took until past 11 o'clock to agree upon a report of credentials. Charges were filed against County Chairman William K. Clark, asking him to resign for using his position to secure the endorsement for himself for the position of deputy collector of customs. Clark refused to resign and denied the charges. As the vote was about to be taken, pandemonium prevailed. When a move for adjournment was made, the acting chairman declared the meeting adjourned and started to leave the room, followed by his faction. The opposition remained, elected a new chairman, and proceeded to remove Clark from his post. The friends of Clark declare the meeting was illegally adjourned and that he remains chairman, promising war to the finish. Meanwhile, local Republicans look on and marvel, 'How these Democrats do love one another.'
“Speech after speech was made, five and six talking at a time, in which often the lie was passed, and, in fact, pandemonium prevailed.”
Internal party power struggles over patronage are a perennial feature of local politics. While modern parties fight over policy platforms and digital infrastructure, the 1891 scramble in Port Angeles for a deputy collector of customs position highlights the old-school reality that party loyalty was often a direct, transactional ladder to federal employment.
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