The Saloon Keepers' Political Machine
Local liquor interests meet at Eagles' Hall to strategize against a mayor who shuttered dance halls and cracked down on 'sporting women.'
Saloon and brewery owners met at Eagles' Hall yesterday to discuss the upcoming municipal election. Frustrated by Mayor Campbell's successful efforts to close dance halls and evict 'sporting women' from the heart of the city, many are seeking to unite and raise a substantial campaign fund to defeat him. While the group debated supporting A. V. Fawcett, internal dissent surfaced, leading them to appoint a committee to canvas the candidates for pledges before their next meeting on March 2.
“Certain saloon men who were affected vowed vengeance and waited. Now they see a ray of hope. Another election is coming on and they feel as though they would like to take a fall out of the man who had the nerve to work against them.”
This reflects the long-standing tug-of-war in Washington between 'vice' interests and reformist municipal government. It captures the raw, transactional nature of local politics at the turn of the century, where the 'sporting' districts were key political battlegrounds.
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