The Silver Fight That Split Washington's Republicans

SPOKANE, Sept. 19.—It was fully eleven o'clock this morning when C. P. Sullivan, of Pierce County, chairman of the state central committee, called the Republican state convention to order in the Auditorium, which is capable of seating 10,000 people. Every seat was occupied, and the large number of ladies present was a noticeable feature. Among the notables in private boxes were Gov. McGraw, Senator Squire, Congressmen Doolittle and Wilson, ex-Gov. Luce and wife, and Col. D. S. Howett and a party of ladies from North Yakima.

Rev. E. K. Makielt opened with prayer. John D. Geoghegan was nominated for temporary chairman and declared unanimous. C. T. Roscoe was elected temporary secretary, with W. C. McAllister as second assistant. Each delegation elected members of the credentials, rules, and platform committees.

When the committee on permanent organization reported, it proposed that the temporary organization be made permanent; that the successor to Judge Dunbar be nominated first, then the successor to Judge Stiles, then the successor to Congressman Doolittle, and then the successor to Congressman Wilson. Burleigh of King moved to put congressional nominations ahead of the supreme bench. After debate the amendment carried, 248 out of a total vote of 400. The credentials committee reported three contests, and its report was adopted.

Congressman Wilson was called on and received vigorous applause. He thanked the convention and said he could go back to the party untaxed by any debt of gratitude. Senator Squire and Gov. McGraw were also received with cheers, the governor's entrance bringing the convention to its feet. Congressman Doolittle paid tribute to his colleagues and promised to serve if the people returned him to Congress.

The platform committee then reported. A subcommittee on silver had produced two reports. The majority plank declared that the Republican party of Washington believed in sound and honest money, favored bimetallism, commended the Republican national convention of 1892, and instructed the state's senators and representatives to maintain the absolute equality in debt-paying power of every dollar, whether gold, silver, or paper. The minority plank favored free coinage of silver at the ratio of 16 to 1 and discriminating tariffs against countries on the single gold standard.

Judge Blake of Spokane moved to substitute the minority report. He asserted that the silver question was the chief question of the day and that Washington was deeply interested in its solution. Col. Feighan spoke in the same strain. C. F. Fishback of King replied that the first report merely reaffirmed the national platform and warned that the party should not be placed on the defensive. After further debate the previous question was moved and adopted. The Fishback plank was then adopted by a vote of 391 to 226, and the convention adjourned at 5:30.

At 8:39 the convention reassembled. A motion to adjourn until the next morning was lost. King changed its vote from yes to no. Judge Parsons of Pierce moved to reconsider the Fishback amendment and spoke at length for it. Burleigh of King opposed the motion in a speech that bristled with facts. George Turner replied to Burleigh with such force that the Spokane men howled with delight; the King County delegates rose and gave three rousing cheers for King.