The Political Machine and the Citizens' Ticket
A bitter look at local political maneuvering in 1894, as power brokers attempt to bypass the Republican ticket.
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 Democratic party has shown its hand. Several weeks ago, when the Democratic city administration was shown to be thoroughly incapable, the leaders saw an inevitable political reaction. A number of them, including Thomas Burke, R.F. Blaine, and W.H. White, conceived a plan which has so far worked well. The people were warned of the trap, but some well-meaning but guileless Republicans fell into it and a citizens' ticket was gotten up in a back room. The voters were told that if they didn't adopt that ticket they could take the consequences. Prominent Republicans were shy, but after some telegraphing to Boston investors, the letter's trusted agent, Mr. Herman Chapin—a very shrewd banker—was persuaded to hide the Democrats behind his name. If there was any doubt before as to the political maneuvering, it is plain enough now. The Democrats will to a man vote the party ticket, and they rely upon a sufficient number of Republicans being drawn off from that ticket to split the vote.
“The Democratic party has shown its hand, and it now remains only for the common sense of the people to display itself.”
The 1894 municipal campaign reflects Seattle's enduring anxiety over political 'machines' and backroom deals. The tension between local grassroots movements and deep-pocketed outside influence from 'Boston investors' is a story that has rhymed through Seattle history for over a century.
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