Deadlock in Olympia: A Governor Says No and the Senate Seat Stays Empty

Olympia, Jan. 24.—Special.—The day was productive of three sensations—the only sensations, indeed, the campaign has thus far produced. They were the bringing out of George Turner, of Spokane; the governor's declaration; and the bold stand of the Ankeny men. Perhaps in point of importance Gov. McGraw's letter is the chief. It removes a doubt which has had no little effect on the senatorial question. It was received with great favor, and the governor has been most heartily congratulated upon his patriotic course, for he could have been elected senator at any moment within the past two days had he yielded to the very powerful temptations and consented to abandon the governor's chair. He has strengthened himself, the effect on the state will be beneficial, and the way is clear for other candidates.

The sudden presentation of Turner's name and the dwindling of Wilson's vote to seven caused a flurry, but it did not materially affect Ankeny's strength. It did, however, throw back a number of Allen men in a momentary spirit of perhaps excusable defiance. The lines were thrown out quickly for a renewal of the old battle, but tonight wiser counsels prevail, and it is recognized that such a course would be disastrous to the interests of the party in this state.

The Populists informally declared after the convention that unless the deadlock were soon broken they would break it themselves by throwing their strength to that Republican candidate who could be elected by their 25 votes. That would require a concentration of 34 Republican votes.

Aiberison took a position today which is severely criticised by other members of the legislature. They say that if Mr. Aiberison has the right to stand by his man to the last, so have they. They are not willing to admit that he is the only man in the legislature who has convictions, but that he is just the sort of man who makes a deadlock, yielding nothing, but exacting concessions from others equally well qualified to judge of what the state needs and whom the party wants. It is evident that concessions must be made by somebody, and it would seem that they should come partly from the minority.

Mr. Ankeny met this position very gracefully in the afternoon, when a meeting of twenty-seven of his supporters was held. Mr. Ankeny said he had solicited the honor of representing the state of Washington in the United States Senate, but he did not propose to hold his friends stubbornly to his interest to the detriment of legislation or to the discredit of the party. "I am willing," he said, "to go into a Republican caucus, and when forty-one members unite on any other man, I will not only withdraw, but do it cheerfully." This manly declaration aroused his friends to enthusiasm. They declared that they would stand by him until a Republican caucus decided the matter. With great cheering they then formed into line and marched into the lobby, announcing that they were ready to submit to caucus rule. It does not seem probable, however, that a caucus can be held before Monday night. Although the legislature must ballot on Saturday, several members want to be absent on Friday evening, returning on Monday morning.

Turner does not seem to have gained much strength since today's balloting. Allen's friends insist that he has touched high water mark and will begin to wane. There is some talk of Pierce county putting forward Crowsley or Judge Pritchard, but either of these would precipitate A.P.A. influence into the campaign. Then there is mention of Judge Moone and Judge Blake of Spokane. Judge H. G. Bond, of Seattle, has come in for a share of fugitive support, but he will not be a candidate unless all efforts to get a man outside of King county fail. The majority of the King county delegation takes this position once more in reference to Eastern Washington: "Unite on a man and we are with you."

The Ankeny people show considerable life tonight. Levi Ankeny's speech today was the first he has made to them, and its sterling manliness, couched in plain, common-sense language, and delivered with modest dignity, inspired them with a new respect for the man's true worth. Congressman Dovell and Judge Oliver are here working in Allen's interest.

In a letter made public today, Gov. McGraw wrote to Republican members of the legislature to remove any doubt: he would not, under any circumstances, allow his name to come before them as a candidate for the United States Senate.