The Political Shuffle in North Yakima
Local politicos eye upcoming nominations as voters prepare for conventions and county offices seek new leaders.
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.
North Yakima, April 11. The nearness of the time for holding the state convention in Seattle has caused some little stir in political circles and caused the exposure of several secretly cherished political bees. It is said that T. M. Vance is likely to be the democratic nominee for representative to succeed H. J. Snively, while the name of W. L. Jones is whispered frequently as a proper head for the republican ticket. Both democrats and republicans concede that D. W. Simmons, the present republican incumbent of the sheriff’s office, will succeed himself. For county auditor three names have been mentioned: Myron H. Ellis (Republican), Dudley Eshelman (Democrat), and F. M. Spain (ex-city clerk). The latter’s friends state positively that he will refuse to allow his name to be used. If present indications may be relied upon, County Treasurer Nevis (Republican) will also be renominated. There has been some talk of nominating Joseph Stephenson, the chairman of the county board of commissioners, for this office on the democratic ticket, but Mr. Stephenson stated that under no circumstances would he accept the nomination. As candidates for the office of county clerk the names of J. M. Brown (Prosser), S. C. Benton (Republican), and J. R. Coe (Democrat) have been mentioned.
“The nearness of the time for holding the state convention in Seattle has caused some little stir in political circles.”
Local political maneuvering in the 1890s was a spectator sport, with names being floated and shot down well before the primary. Today, the names have changed, but the Yakima Valley remains a hub where party conventions and candidate positioning significantly shape the civic landscape.
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