The Republican Party Fights Over Who Gets Counted

The kick on the apportionment of delegates to the Republican county convention was the general subject of discussion among Republicans in the city yesterday. The action of the Eighth Ward club on the previous evening had made it the question of the hour and eclipsed the Luger trial in the public eye. Those on each side argued earnestly, but all expressed a desire to promote harmony and not endanger certain victory by factious conflict.

The dissatisfied members claimed that whether the apportionment was sanctioned by precedent or not, the precedent was a bad one and should be broken because it was an injustice to the city. They said it gave some country precincts as many delegates as they had voters, and held that each precinct in the city should be given a delegate-at-large. The more moderate said they did not desire to cut down country representation as allowed by the committee, but wished to increase city representation.

John Arthur, president of the county central committee, explained the committee's position: “The county committee, in making the apportionment, paid no attention to the individual interests of any aspirant for nominations; it considered only the general good of the party and the maintenance of its long-established practice and policy in this county respecting representation in conventions. Only one member of the committee advocated a reversal of this practice and a new departure in party policy.” He said the county convention was the only body with a right to change party policy toward the country districts.

The dissatisfied Republicans met yesterday afternoon at the office of Semple & Hale in the Bailey block and adjourned to Grand Army hall in the Hinckley block. Forty-two were present. They organized the King County Central Republican Club, with A. W. Young as president and Chauncey W. Ferris as secretary. S. J. Burdett moved that an indignation meeting be held Monday evening to protest the county committee's action; after discussion, he withdrew the motion because some feared the committee's supporters might capture the meeting.

The Second Ward Republicans last night reorganized their club in Oltman hall, at Market and Weller streets. The meeting was enthusiastic and harmonious, with no expression of dissatisfaction over the apportionment. Joel Hocking was elected president, with Homer Hill, F. H. Knapp, George Holloway and G. W. Sommerdyke as vice presidents, L. W. Richards treasurer, and D. G. Rudy and George H. Curtis secretaries. John Wiley and George W. Sommerdyke debated weekly meetings; the question was left to the president. Short speeches predicted a sweeping Republican victory in the fall.