Eighth Ward Republicans Revolt Over County Delegate Math

A movement to condemn the action of the Republican county committee in arranging the apportionment of delegates to the county convention so as to give the country precincts as large representation as the city was started at a meeting to reorganize the Eighth Ward Republican Club, held at the Clarendon hotel, Depot and Poplar streets, last evening, and, by prearrangement on the part of the leaders, met with an opening success. The plans were prepared at a meeting of about forty men held down town in the morning, and were perfected at a second meeting at 4 o'clock in the afternoon, at which about 100 persons were present. The result was that the opponents of the county committee's action were in an overwhelming majority and carried a resolution in accordance with their views, with a decision to carry the fight to the other ward clubs. The meeting began with the election of the following officers: E. W. Craven, president; ex-Gov. Lyman E. Knapp, vice president; F. H. Lysons, secretary, and C. H. Lilly, treasurer. The following resolution was then introduced by William Phillips, who moved that it be adopted: 'Resolved, That it is the sense of this club that the apportionment of delegates to the county convention of King county made by the central committee is unjust, and we demand that the said central committee of King county reconvene and apportion the delegation to the county convention in a more just manner and suggest that said committee apportion the delegates upon a basis of twenty votes for Republican electors cast for Dr. Loffin at the election in 1892, and that no precinct shall have less than one delegate, and there shall be no delegates-at-large allowed in said apportionment.' Melvin G. Winstock spoke in opposition to the adoption of the resolution. He thought the county central committee had acted in good faith in giving the county a fair representation, and he said he believed it would be best to take matters coolly and fully consider the situation before taking action in the premises. L. B. Andrews fully explained the action of the county central committee. It was not in the interest of any candidate, but was rather to produce harmony among the county delegates, who felt that the city always had the most delegates and therefore that they were not fairly treated. Many country Republicans had gone over to the Populists, and everything should be done to hold the remaining votes and induce the return of others. It was especially important to hold the legislative ticket, but if the city got into a row with the country delegates by leading them to suppose they were unfairly treated, it might result in sending Democrats or Populists to the legislature. Clarence H. Bagley also spoke against the adoption of the resolution. He said the committee had followed a custom so long established that it was doubtful if it would have dared to do otherwise, even if it had the right, usage having so long been that way that it practically had the force of law. Notwithstanding this advice the resolution, by a large majority, was adopted. Dr. D. A. Crichton, A. W. Young and William Phillips were appointed a committee to wait on the other clubs of the city and induce them to adopt the above resolution. A committee was appointed to prepare by-laws, of which Charles P. Fishback was made chairman. An executive committee is also to be appointed by the president of the club, to consist of one member from each precinct in the ward, with the president of the club as member-at-large and chairman. Chairman John Arthur, of the county committee, when questioned last evening by a reporter of the Post-Intelligencer, said: 'It is the policy of the party that has been lived for nearly twenty years, and the county committee, in the face of that fact, does not feel authorized and would have no right to change it at this time. The apportionment was made in strict accord with this long-established policy, and the action of the committee will be acknowledged by all right-minded Republicans.'