Whatcom's Democrats Eat Their Own: 'Thieves, Fakirs and Impostors'

WHATCOM, Aug. 4 — [Special.] — When the Whatcom County Central Democratic Club concluded its first exhibition of the libel-machine resolutions last Saturday by referring the matter to a special committee, another show was advertised to take place this afternoon. The club met as advertised, with Capt. Samuel Bass, the old warhorse, presiding. He announced that the committee to whom last Saturday's resolutions were referred had not been able to agree on a report, and the following resolutions were read:

"WHEREAS, We believe the present dissensions in the Whatcom county Democracy are due: first, to the recklessness and carelessness of the Democracy in selecting as their delegates and nominees men of disreputable character, thereby giving such men prestige, influence and office to the detriment of the people; second, to the alleged misconduct of certain members of the county executive committee during the last campaign in swapping off some of the Democratic candidates for Republican support to other candidates, and using the money pressed out of the former to defeat them and elect their Republican antagonists; to irregularities and flagrant violations of Democratic customs and principles in recommending applicants for Federal appointments; the neglect of the chairman of the central committee to call the committee; the failure of that committee to meet and perform its duty in making indorsements; the assumption of the duties of the central committee by the chairman and by certain members of the executive committee; third, to the alarming filling of non-resident politicians into local Federal appointments, and to the importation of carpet-baggers; therefore,

"Resolved, That the Democracy select to represent them as delegates and committeemen, and nominate for office and recommend for appointment, men known to be of good repute, who are engaged in some honorable occupation and have some visible means of support.

"That we condemn the action of the candidate on the Democratic county ticket who advertised and sold his nomination to the highest bidder, and denounce him and his advisers as enemies to morality and pure elections.

"That the perfidious action of certain members of the executive committee and their Republican co-conspirators in swapping candidates and using the campaign funds to defeat the candidates for whom the funds had been pressed, demands its condemnation by every honest man.

"That the appointive system is hostile to our institutions; that Federal positions should be filled by election from the people in the place or district for which the office was created; and, where election is impracticable, according to civil service rules.

"That we condemn the importation of carpet-baggers into our local customs and bank service, and other interference in local appointments by the national committeeman.

"Resolved, That it is a matter of deepest regret to all honest Democrats that the management of the Democratic party in Whatcom county, and in recommending and securing Federal appointments under the present administration, has fallen into disrepute, and that the party, its machinery, is being used to further the party ambition of political charlatans and to place in position those who are not representative party men.

"That we denounce their unmeasured influence in recommending and boosting such persons into position to the sacrifice of public and party interests.

"That the present administration should observe the interests of the state and the good government of Washington by repudiating the recommendations of Hugh Wallace and M. Saunders in making appointments to public positions, and we insist that moral character and reputation for honesty should be a factor in the appointment of any applicant for office."

The debate was bitter throughout, with many Republicans present watching the proceedings with great interest. The room was sulphurous with denunciations and recriminations for nearly half an hour, until the meeting adjourned without adopting the resolutions, though the sentiment was clearly overwhelmingly with them. The principal feature of the obsequies was the astonishingly bitter and virulent speech of Charles Magee, who ruthlessly dragged the Democratic skeletons from their closets and reconstructed their dry bones together. One by one the local leaders now enjoying the emoluments of office were held up and denounced in the bitterest manner, and Democrats were called upon to take a firm and final stand against the "tyranny of thieves, fakirs and impostors." The chairman declared the motion to adjourn out of order, and pandemonium reigned until persistent insistence upon the motion broke up the meeting. The only business actually transacted was the acceptance of the declination of Postmaster Watson, of Fairhaven, to serve as permanent secretary of the club.