The Caucus That Wouldn't End: Olympia's 1895 Senate Deadlock

Olympia, Jan. 30.—Special.—The events of today, while they cannot be said to have in themselves furthered a settlement of the senatorial question, have undoubtedly brought it, by implication, nearer the end. The joint ballot tomorrow will be a very formal affair, but the caucus in the evening will bring the contest to a close.

The caucus tonight was the stormiest and most lively of the entire campaign. Speeches, motions, by-play, scheming and counter-scheming characterized the proceedings throughout two hours, until the anti-Ankeny and anti-Wilson men secured an adjournment until tomorrow night at 8 o'clock. Twelve ballots were taken with but few changes, and between them several efforts were made to force the two leading candidates out of the race in favor of dark horses. The result demonstrated that the two leaders are deadlocked and that the McMillin men are playing one against the other in the interest of their man. Eighty of the Republicans were again in their places, and on the first ballot Ankeny lost six votes from the previous night and Wilson lost seven, with corresponding gain by Allen of 5 and by McMillin of 8.

After the fifteenth ballot, and seventh of the sitting, Leahy moved to adjourn sine die, which was amended by Wilson of Clallam to tomorrow night. McCurdy, a Wilson man, presented a resolution reciting that, “Whereas, the Republicans had done their best to nominate in caucus, and that legislation was being retarded by the delay; Resolved, That it be the sense of the caucus that all names balloted for be dropped.”

Milroy moved the adoption of the resolution. Schively wanted it amended so as to except McMillin. (Laughter.) Peckebach thought no new name could be presented which would please everybody. The people of Chehalis county wanted Wilson. If they kept on voting somebody would get tired. It made no difference to him, so long as he got his way. (Roars of laughter.)

Eddy of Deckebach said he did not represent the entire state, and his power of influence was not greater than that of others. He was in favor of lighting it out. When the majority said quit he was ready. He wanted to know “if Deckebach's example of perseverance in eulogies on candidates was order.” “Elegies,” exclaimed Senator Taylor. (Laughter.)

Spokane, Jan. 30.—Special.—The growing closeness of Wilson to the senatorial prize excited not the faintest wave of enthusiasm in Spokane. The Wilson men are all at Olympia on free passes. There was not even a corporal's guard here to raise a faint cheer. Everywhere were heard expressions of grave alarm. Republicans who fought the party's battles for thirty-five years declared that if Wilson should be elected the result would be disastrous to the Republicans in this county and section. It was agreed that the silver forces are squarely against Wilson, that business men oppose him, that organized labor has denounced him, that farmers are crying out against him and his machine. Wilson's election, it was pointed out, would perpetuate his machine and it would have to be carried by the party. This feeling became so devastating that the following warning telegram was dispatched to the Spokane delegation during the day. The names attached to it represent the best business interests of the city:

“To the Republican Delegation, Olympia: Wilson's election will lose Spokane county to the Republican party. We have made a thorough canvass, and know this to be the case.”

The old soldiers shared in the general feeling of alarm. So much so that they united in the following protest and warning, which was also telegraphed to Olympia. It was signed by twenty-five leading veterans of the war for the Union: “We, the undersigned, as veteran soldiers, respectfully protest against the election of John L. Wilson as United States senator from the fact that he is not a true representative man of Eastern Washington, is opposed to the restoration of silver as a part of our monetary system, favors the pooling of railroad corporations, and is otherwise lacking in the qualities requisite for the position of United States senator.”

The Spokesman-Review will say editorially tomorrow: “The true friends of the Republican party, the men who love it for its principles, who are not within its ranks for the revenue there is in it, will find hope in this morning's news from Olympia. The Republican party was in great peril Tuesday, when John L. Wilson came within four votes of a caucus nomination. It cannot carry Wilson, his record and his ring, and retain the confidence of the people of this section.”