The Ward Clubs Revolt Over Delegate Math

THE WARD CLUBS ACT.

The controversy over the apportionment of delegates to the Republican county convention was carried on in the ward clubs last night. Meetings were held in the First, Third and Ninth wards. In the First ward resolutions were adopted condemning the apportionment by a large majority. In the Third ward similar resolutions were carried by a small majority; about half the club did not vote. In the Ninth ward no action was taken, and a resolution condemning the apportionment and another approving it met the same fate. Not all who attended the meeting of the objectors on Thursday wished to be understood as in sympathy with its purpose. J.C. Hooper, who was present, says he does not indorse the kick, but advocates leaving the matter to the convention and accepting the present apportionment as made. Several others were there merely as spectators.

The Third ward Republicans met at Brewer's hall and supported the apportionment kick by a narrow majority. About half the members did not vote on the resolutions. Several speeches were made against the apportionment, the opposition being led by T.H. Dempsey, P. Fitzsimmons and Capt. W.A. Snyder, while Charles Anderson, M.L. Sias and several others opposed any condemnation proceedings. Immediately afterward the club reorganized and 175 men signed the roll of membership. The following resolution, introduced by Capt. Snyder, was passed by a vote of 58 for and 30 against: 'Resolved, That it is the sense of this club that the apportionment of delegates to the county convention by the county central committee is an injustice to the populous districts of the city and county, and that we favor a reapportionment of delegates, giving a more equitable representation to such districts.' Livingstone B. Sledman read the report of the committee appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws. The report was adopted and the club was reorganized. The chairman appointed a committee of three, consisting of T.H. Dempsey, P. Fitzsimmons and Capt. W.A. Snyder, to present the resolution to the central committee.

The First Ward Republican Club last night followed the lead of the Eighth in condemning the apportionment and further demanded the appointment of certain men as officers at the primaries. The meeting was held at 519 Yesler avenue, the Republican ward headquarters, for the purpose of reorganizing the club, and was attended by about 200 men. Arthur Lewin, committeeman at large of the county committee, called the meeting to order and acted as temporary chairman. The election of officers resulted as follows: president, Judge J.K. Rirsedorph; vice presidents, Oscar Stenstrom and Col. I.C. Hodge; treasurer, W.H. Gleason; secretary, S.J. Young. The resolution condemning the apportionment, passed by the Eighth ward meeting on Wednesday evening, was presented by W.L. Meredith, together with a demand that Charles Reitze, D.K. Sieltele and W.H. Gleason be named as judges of the Republican primary to be held in the First ward September 1, and that the primary be held at 519 Yesler avenue. The resolutions were adopted almost unanimously.

At a meeting of the Ninth Ward Republican Club last evening at Fremont, the apportionment controversy was discussed, but nothing was done. Every resolution proposed, either for or against, was tabled. After the appointment of a committee the club adjourned to meet again next Friday evening at Goddard's hall.