The Unwelcome Interviewer
A reporter who tried to push his way onto the Villard party’s steamer learns that some doors—and decks—are firmly closed.
On the arrival of the North Pacific last evening, an officious and pertinacious individual, on boarding her at once, tried to interview the Vice-President and other persons in the Villard party. He was told that no one was allowed on board the boat by the officer of the deck, but he insisted and finally did step on board. He was ordered ashore, and failing to comply with the order, the mate took him by the slack of the pants and collar of the coat and assisted him ashore. This is the same individual who used to walk about the streets with a porter fastened on his back and beating a gong to advertise the 'Eclipse Varieties,' and who afterwards attempted to intrude his presence on the Villard party as a shorthand reporter, and who was then and there summarily sat down on. It is strange some people never learn to take a hint, even when it is accompanied by a kick.
“It is strange some people never learn to take a hint, even when it is accompanied by a kick.”
This scene captures the early, rough-and-tumble era of Seattle’s local press, where access to political elites was often maintained by brute force. While modern media relations have evolved significantly, the tension between the pushy independent reporter and the guarded official party remains a hallmark of the city's civic life.
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