The Anti-Ring Republicans Meet—and One Calls Them 'Suckers'
A Fifth Ward reform club gathers at the Masonic Temple to denounce the city machine, but a member warns the 'ring' has a big sack and is well organized.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The 'Stalwart' Republican club of the Fifth ward, composed of independents who are opposed to the 'ring,' met in the Masonic temple last night and listened to some red-hot speeches against the ring by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney A. G. McBride and George L. Scott, and some speeches on national politics by Z. B. Rawson, Col. Charles Reichenbach, J. B. Murphy and State Senator J. M. Frink. The club was organized two weeks ago and has held several secret meetings, and even at last night's meeting the names of the officers were withheld as far as possible. The object of the club is the same as that of the Independent Club: opposition to bosses and 'isms,' and it is said the two organizations will shortly consolidate and hold meetings in the Masonic temple during the campaign. After speeches had been made on national issues by Messrs. Rawson, Reichenbach and Murphy, and as a recess was about to be ordered, George L. Scott jumped to his feet and in loud tones said: 'I want your attention a few minutes before the recess, gentlemen. I joined this club because I was told it was against the ring. I also joined the Independent Club for the same reason, but, gentlemen, the ring has a big sack and is well organized, and any man that thinks he is going to down that ring is a sucker.' Mr. McBride was called on, and proceeded to show up the workings of the ring, and awakened a storm of enthusiasm. He said if the ring was not put down in this campaign the city would be bankrupt before the end of two years. Prominent among those present were J. L. Green, Hiram Jacobs, Daniel Jones, Eddie Levin, John Lapay, State Senator Forrest, Charley Fry, Col. Charles Reichenbach, Dr. F. W. Sparling, James Wilson, T. C. Calhoun, R. C. Crawford and Chauncey W. Ferris. The Independent Club attended the meeting in a body, and the greatest unanimity of feeling seemed to exist. There was considerable talk between members of a consolidation, in the belief that a better showing could be made and the expense lessened. The club membership is 100, and additional signatures are expected as the campaign continues. Another meeting will be held some day next week.
“The ring has a big sack and is well organized, and any man that thinks he is going to down that ring is a sucker.”
In 1894, Seattle reformers were trying to break a local political machine they called the 'ring.' The language of bosses, slush funds and a city going bankrupt still sounds familiar in debates over machine politics, campaign money and municipal reform.
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