A Night of Political Fervor at Yesler's Hall
Hundreds pack the Seattle venue to hear Judge Thomas Burke and local speakers rally support for the Democratic ticket.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
By far the largest political meeting ever held in Seattle assembled at Yesler's Hall on last Monday evening. The hall and stage were packed to their utmost capacity and the windows removed so that the hundreds upon the outside who were unable to gain admission could hear the speakers. The meeting was presided over by A. M. Snyder, Esq., backed by a large number of Vice Presidents, a considerable portion of whom were some of the most respectable and influential Republicans in the county, who wanted to have their names published as supporters of Judge Burke to Congress. William R. Andrews, candidate for Prosecuting Attorney, first addressed the meeting, explaining his reasons for voting for Democratic candidates for the first time in his life. Judge Burke followed in a speech of an hour and a half, which fully sustained his reputation as a profound thinker and accomplished orator, and was listened to with wrapped attention. W. H. White, Esq., addressed the meeting in his inimitable style, contrasting the candidates and drawing roars of applause from the audience.
“The hall and stage were packed to their utmost capacity and the windows removed so that the hundreds upon the outside who were unable to gain admission could hear the speakers.”
Yesler's Hall was once the epicenter of Seattle's civic and social life, a wooden structure serving as a makeshift town square for political debates. Today, the site at First and Yesler is a reminder of how quickly the physical landmarks of our democratic process are replaced by modern steel and glass.
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