A Clawhammer, a Tin Whistle, and a Judge Fight: Tacoma’s Wild 1894 Convention

TACOMA, Aug. 17.—[Special.]—At 2:15 a.m. the Pierce County Republican convention was still in session, deadlocked over a resolution indorsing Judge William H. Pritchard for the state Supreme Court. The Pritchard and Stiles managers finally agreed to adjourn sine die without settling the judgeship question.

The convention nominated a full county ticket. Every candidate picked as a winner by the Post-Intelligencer won except Fink for assessor. The standing of Joe Mitchell on his head defeated him for sheriff; with strategy and the inability of Chairman C. O. Bates to stem the uproar, Sam Parker was nominated. Parker was the dark horse against Mitchell, the favorite.

An article in the Ledger that morning said Pritchard’s friends had broken faith by advocating a reversal of the order of business. W. P. Reynolds denied the allegation and defied the allegator. Nelson Bennett objected to his paper being dragged into the matter. There were shouts of “Sit down” and “Shut up,” and the prevailing sentiment was against the published statement. E. W. Taylor, chairman of the Republican county committee, then took the entire responsibility for reversing the order of business, acquitted Judge Pritchard and his friends, and refuted the Ledger.

The storm of applause at the final vote for sheriff was ear-splitting. When three Mitchell delegates changed to Parker, Mitchell’s opponents concentrated on Parker. Orator Reilley challenged his precinct’s vote; it was announced solid for Parker. Mitchell later said he believed he had been nominated on the third ballot, but the uproar prevented the clerks from recording it, and a new vote was taken. He did not object because Bates was considered his chairman. On the reballot, the field concentrated its forces and floored him.

The platform reaffirmed Republican principles, protection for American industries, free coinage of silver at 16 to 1, government encouragement and control of the Nicaragua canal, removal of restrictions on disposing of land in the Puyallup Indian Reservation, and economy in county affairs. It endorsed Congressman W. H. Doolittle and recommended Judge Pritchard for the Supreme Court. A minority report opposed the Pritchard resolution, and the fight continued amid great excitement.

A. R. Titlow moved to adjourn; O. Parsons made a set speech favoring adjournment. Twice adjournment was defeated, 408 to 236 and 353 to 281. Reynolds appealed from the chair. Delegates stood yelling; Reynolds could not be heard. There was a sharp click from the right wing of the stage, and the lights went out. Reynolds struck a match and his face appeared like a ghost in the darkness. The janitor restored the lights. Parsons and Reynolds both claimed the floor.

Another vote sustained the Pritchard resolution, 291 to 256. President Harris of the city council shouted, “To hell with this vote,” after the chair refused to let him cast his entire ward. Pritchard was sent for, but did not arrive until 2 a.m.; he refused to withdraw. W. L. Visscher was nominated for wreckmaster, the chair having to substitute a clawhammer for the gavel. A tin whistle blew. Visscher told a story, and Senator Claypool sang. The convention finally adjourned sine die without settling the judgeship.