The Senatorial Bargain

Senator Ankeny assures the people of Spokane that he will do all in his power to make Fort Wright a regimental post. When this post was established through the influence of Senator John L. Wilson, the people in this city declared that the effect would be the final abandonment of Fort Walla Walla. Now we see Senator Ankeny following in the footsteps of Wilson in working more zealously for Spokane than for his home city. One of the most persistent arguments in favor of the Ankeny ticket last year was that the election of a home man would mean the retention and enlargement of the garrison here. If Fort Wright is made a regimental garrison, it is not probable that Fort Walla Walla will be maintained, if it is not abandoned altogether. Walla Walla must satisfy herself with the honor of having a United States senator, while he gives all the good things at his disposal to other parts of the state in order to retain their political support. In years past, Walla Walla lost her chance of getting the state fair, the state agricultural college, and a normal school through the desire of having a home man in the United States senate. It is now a safe bet that within a few years the garrison will also be laid on the altar of sacrifice in an effort to keep Levi Ankeny in the United States senate. Walla Walla will pay dearly for her senatorial whistle before she gets through blowing it.