The Free Train Passes That Kept a Senate Seat in Play

Word that George Turner had withdrawn from the senatorial contest was received with universal regret. "It seems as though the popular will counts for little in a senatorial election," was heard everywhere. "We must change the system of choosing senators. Turn the matter over to the people. As it is now, the duties of the legislature are neglected and the people's will is defied."

The free use of railroad passes has enabled John L. Wilson to maintain a large, persistent lobby at Olympia, used to defeat and misrepresent the intense public sentiment against him and his machine. It is a conservative estimate that fifty free passes have been given out by Wilson from this city alone; the aggregate in the state must run into the hundreds, and the value of the transportation into thousands of dollars. Some of his workers have made three or four trips between Spokane and the capital, riding always either at the expense of the railroad or of the people, who have to pay for this at the hog trough. A well-known business man stated yesterday that he had just been offered free transportation and all his expenses if he would go to Olympia to say that people here are favorable to Wilson. He informed the person making the tender that he was for Turner and asked if there was any way of getting a free pass to go there in the latter's interest. "Not much," was the answer. "In that case you must either walk or pay your way. If you want to see the show at Olympia and have a good time, you must come to our hand wagon."

The Spokesman-Review will say editorially tomorrow: "John L. Wilson is not wanted by the people of Spokane or Eastern Washington. He has been thoroughly tried by them, has proved a disappointment, and has been emphatically condemned. Five thousand voters in this county alone have protested against his election. Organized labor has spoken out sharply against him. The taxpayers are weary of his machine and will not have any more of it. ... They know his record, understand his hostility to silver and his vote for the railroad pooling bill, and they will never consent to his election to the Senate. If Wilson should be thrust upon the people of Eastern Washington, the consequence will be most disastrous to the Republican party. ... The Republican legislators at Olympia should beware. They owe something to their party."

Olympia, Jan. 29.—The proceedings in the joint convention were very tame, the general impression being that no variation was likely to occur until after the evening caucus. Phelps of Stevens, Populist, moved that, as there was important business before the legislature in addition to the election of a senator, only two ballots be taken daily. Rader, also a Populist, said it was very improbable that changes would occur after the convention met; experience in such contests showed that changes and concessions took place between meetings. The motion for two ballots daily did not prevail, but Rader's proposition that on this day there should be only two ballots found general favor and was adopted. Senator Helm read George Turner's letter of withdrawal, and returned to Ankeny as second choice. On the last ballot Van Eaton changed from McMillan to Wilson. The Democrats voted for John L. Sharpstein and the Populists paid a similar compliment to Ahira Manring of Garfield.