The Unholy Alliance Behind the Mayoral Win

A considerable majority of the voters of Tacoma have declared by their ballots that they want George P. Wright for mayor, in place of Louis D. Campbell. It is well that the majority is so decisive, as it will put at rest all recriminations directed at the 'stay-at-homes.' Every thoroughly honest citizen, every thoroughly bad citizen, and all the grades between, had equal rights and privileges at the polls. George P. Wright was not elected mayor by the unaided votes of the Democratic party in Tacoma. He received his majority through a mixing together of different groups and interests antagonistic to Mayor Campbell, which joined in with the regular Democrats. First was the saloon and sporting element of the Republican party, which was solidly lined up against Campbell. Second was a considerable group of Republicans who believed that the city was too quiet under Mayor Campbell’s rigid policy of antagonism to slot machines, gambling, and sporting women, and who wanted more laxity. Included in this group were a number of business men of the city who had been looking at Seattle, which had been flourishing under the 'open' policy of Mayor Humes, and had concluded that it might do some financial good in Tacoma to have that surplus population brought to this city. Still another group were the henchmen of the Tacoma Railway & Power Company, who were liberally supplied with money and worked desperately for the defeat of Mayor Campbell. The 'moral issue' was fought out to a finish. Whether or not the various groups of voters who contributed to the election of Mayor Wright will get what they expect from his administration is an open question.