The Silver Fight Waiting Inside Spokane’s Republican Convention

SPOKANE, Sept. 17.—[Special.]—It would not be at all surprising if there were an entirely new deal in the political situation before the convention meets on Wednesday. Col. L. S. Howlett, of North Yakima, has developed unexpected strength in his candidacy for the congressional nomination, and Congressman Doolittle’s friends are becoming uneasy. If the King county delegation and the delegates who usually act in concert with King should decide to throw their strength to Col. Howlett, the Pierce county congressman would certainly have a big fight for renomination on his hands. Late tonight it is learned that several of the King county delegation are favoring this combination, Hyde and Howlett for congress, provided both of these two candidates will support Humes and Dunbar for the supreme bench. Dunbar, of course, in the event such a proposition is carried out, would also be expected to ‘stand in’ with King and her allies; otherwise there are other estimable gentlemen who would be glad to occupy a seat on the supreme bench. It is also learned that Judge Gordon’s friends are flirting with the Whatcom county delegation, who were instructed by the Whatcom convention to support Edward Fischer, of Fairhaven, for congress. It is known that a majority of the Whatcom delegation favor Judge Gordon. This is a blow to Judge McBride and practically eliminates him from serious consideration. Judge Gordon has counted on Snohomish county, but the delegation from that county arrived this evening and it is ascertained that Judge Humes will have perhaps fifteen out of the twenty votes of the delegation. About one-half of the Pierce delegation are here and caucused tonight. No agreement was reached on the judgeship question, but on all other matters it was decided to act as a unit.

The fourth Republican convention since Washington became a state will meet in the Auditorium of this city on Wednesday morning at 11 o’clock. It will be the largest political convention ever held in the state, 439 delegates having been elected by various county conventions under the call issued by the Republican state central committee in Tacoma on June 6. Notwithstanding the hard times the indications are that almost every county will be represented by nearly all of the duly elected delegates. This is probably largely due to the fact that the friends of the various candidates for the supreme bench have been quite active in persuading the delegates in the various counties to be present at the convention and assist this, that or the other candidate.

The Auditorium, in which the convention will be held, will seat 1,500 persons. The private boxes will be apportioned among distinguished visitors and their friends. The hall proper will seat 690 persons. Each delegate will be given two extra tickets for his friends. The exact center of the hall has been reserved for the King county delegation.

Thus far only a very few of the West side delegates have arrived. A. T. Van de Vanter came over the Northern Pacific last evening, and this evening A. E. Hurleigh, chairman; F. J. Grant, S. H. Hit and George G. Lyon, the remaining members of the executive committee, arrived, and took up their quarters in the rooms reserved for them at the Hotel Spokane. Gov. McGraw, Senator Squire, Congressman Doolittle and Col. Howlett also arrived this evening over the Northern Pacific. Levi Ankeny and the Walla Walla delegates came up in a special car, which was draped on each side with large banners bearing the inscription: ‘Hon. Levi Ankeny for United States senator.’ Lieut. Gov. Luce is also on the ground, watching the scene with interest. Judge Pritchard, of Tacoma, came over last evening and is looking after that nomination for the supreme bench.

It will not be a tame convention by any means. There are three candidates for the congressional nominations, and no less than nine candidates for the nominations for the supreme bench. The candidates for the congressional nominations are: W. H. Doolittle, of Pierce; S. C. Hyde, of Spokane, and L. S. Howlett, of Yakima, and perhaps before these lines are read John L. Wilson will have declared himself a candidate for renomination. One of Mr. Wilson’s strongest friends and staunchest supporters stated to the Post-Intelligencer correspondent today that if the legislative ticket selected by the county convention (which is now in session here) was not for Mr. Wilson for the United States senate, he (Wilson) would declare himself a candidate for renomination, ‘because,’ added Wilson’s friend, ‘John L. will not allow himself to be jotted out of his own home delegation in the legislature and submit quietly.’

The candidates for the supreme bench are: Judges Dunbar, of Klickitat; Mount, of Stevens; and Moore, of Spokane, from the East side; and Judges Humes and Pritchard, of King; McBride, of Skagit; Ballinger, of Jefferson, and Gordon, of Thurston, from the West side.

It is almost practically conceded that Judge Dunbar will be renominated for the supreme bench. Mr. Hyde will probably be nominated for congress.

As nearly as can be ascertained the Pierce county delegation is hopeless and almost evenly divided between Judge McBride and Judge Pritchard. It is stated here this evening that Mr. Bennett is not displeased at the turn of affairs in Pierce county over the judgeship embroglio; that he and other Pierce county men are of the opinion that no truce can be patched up between the two candidates whereby one or the other could get the united support of the delegation; that if Pierce county does not get a place on the ticket (besides a congressman) that two years hence it can plead poverty in the matter of official positions, and demand that Pierce county be added to name a senator Squire’s successor, and that Mr. Bennett and his friends aid and strive to nominate Judge Gordon, of Thurston, as Judge Humes’s successor.

It is said that Judge Gordon will come into the convention with almost the solid votes of the Southwest district, and what is known as the ‘Dakota contingent’ of the Snohomish county delegation. Judge Ballinger will have Jefferson and Clallam counties. Judge Humes has King’s big vote and the major portion of the Snohomish delegation. Judge McBride will have his own county, Skagit, a part of Whatcom, and possibly the nine votes of San Juan and Island. Judging from present indications the fight for the West side nomination is between Judge Gordon and Judge Humes.

Aside from nominating two candidates for congress and two for the supreme bench, there is another matter which will come before the convention, and which will excite no little interest, and that is the silver question. Certain it is that the silverites intend to make a desperate fight for the adoption of an unqualified declaration in favor of the free coinage of silver. No half-way measures will pacate them. They claim today that the delegates from the following counties on the east side of the mountains are in favor of an out-and-out free coinage plank in the platform: Spokane, Stevens, Okanogan, Lincoln, Douglas, Klickitat, Kittitas, Yakima, Whitman and Franklin. Walla Walla and Columbia are believed to be against the free coinage proposition.