Fourteen Ballots, No Senator: Olympia's Revenge Caucus

Olympia, Jan. 25. — Special. — Fourteen ballots have been taken, and the end is no nearer, save in the yet imperceptible transitions of sentiment which must eventually lead to a conclusion. Turner fell off from 19 to 12 votes, while Ankeny retains his 29 votes and today came within one of reaching his highest total. Yet that total did not include Helm, Horr, Roberts, Kenton, Brown, Gilbert or Wing, who have voted for him in caucus or convention. It was hoped that Mr. Curtiss of Klickitat, whose constituents were in favor of Mr. Ankeny, would have voted for him, but he has so far voted for McMillin of San Juan. The five ballots today were characterized by Turner's declension, Ankeny's renewed strength, and Allen's drop from 24 to 15.

On the final ballot of the day Ankeny stood at 29, Wilson at 16, Rogers at 23, Turner at 12, with the rest scattering. The principal changes were Eddy, Fishburn, Mills and Morgan returning to Ankeny, and Van Eaton, after giving several others a turn, casting a ballot for Ankeny and then returning to Wilson. There are several conscientious members who have voted for favorites, but who have no objection to Ankeny and who will go to him as the strongest candidate in order to prevent a deadlock.

The Wilson people made a desperate effort today to put up a job. They summoned members to his headquarters and, after having insisted all along that all proceedings must be open, proposed to have a "blind" ballot, as they call it. They wished all the Wilson, Allen and McMillin men to go in with them: have a caucus of 42; cast a secret ballot for first, second and third choice, and then drop each in turn. This would mean death to McMillin, then death to Allen, and victory for Wilson. Some 35 members were in the room at different times, Levi of Yakima occupying the chair, but when it was discovered what the purpose was several left the room, leaving 27, the original Wilson voters, to act. The 27 resolved that Ankeny must be downed in revenge for Wilson's defeat. To the credit of the King county men be it said that even those like Hanford and Goudard, who have voted for Allen, refused to participate in such a scheme.

Several members left on the afternoon train and boat, so that no general caucus can be had till Monday night. There are about fifteen dark horses, including Senator Belknap, Senator Bowden, Judge Bond, Andrew F. Burleigh, Judge Dunbar, Judge J. P. Hoyt, Governor-elect Hyde, and so on up or down, as the case may be. It is due Hyde, however, to say that he emphatically disclaims any ambition but to faithfully do his duty in the position to which he has been elected.

Judge Turner announced that he would not go into the anti-Ankeny scheme. "I have no right to enter into a league," he said, "to ostracize any candidate. To do so would be to provoke that candidate and his friends into refusing to go into caucus. The prime purpose of the caucus is to mutually confer and to harmonize, if necessary."

At Chehalis the same day, Republicans of Lewis county circulated and signed a petition, to be forwarded to the members at Olympia, declaring that the interests of the state would best be served by the election of the Hon. John L. Wilson to the United States senate, and calling on their representatives to use all honorable means in their power to secure his election.